“I patted her shoulder, mate.” Kenny exchanges an incredulous look with Lauren, who just shrugs and turns her golden-green eyes to me in question. “Look, I know I’m not stellar when it comes to the girls you usually bring as a buffer, but I can tell Lauren isn’t like the rest. That it would bother you, and you’re a friend, Michael.”
“Right.” I clear my throat and stare at my shoes. “Sorry, don’t know what came over me.”
“Oh, I could tell ya’, but where’s the fun in that?” Kenny winks and claps my back a bit too hard, which I deserve. “Lauren, it was a pleasure. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“What’s Saturday?” I ask, leaning on the high table where Kenny was before, but closer, cupping the shoulder he touched, caressing it with my palm, not wanting his touch to be the last she feels there.
“Kenny’s throwing a pool party,” Lauren replies, fingers trailing up my forearm with a featherlight touch, causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin.
“Am I invited?” I wonder, moving from her shoulder to graze her arm with my knuckles, her bright eyes locking onto mine with that hum that has me at her mercy.
“You were until you went all caveman.” Lauren tips her glass back and finishes her melon mojito.
“But I packed a bathing suit and everything.” I pout. “Royal blue with rubber duckies on it.”
“You can always give me a private show.” She takes a step forward, palm smoothing over my chest and those bedroom eyes looking at me from under her lashes. “Let’s go home?”
Home. It brings a smile to my face, the way she says that, and I nod, leading Lauren to the coatroom to retrieve her tailored jacket and my Boda Skins leather jacket.
“You look good tonight.” Lauren flashes me a teasing smile, and I give her a raised eyebrow smirk. “Fine,” she huffs. “You look goodalways, but that look is extra sexy, Cupcake.”
I stare down at my one-of-a-kind graffiti designer sneakers, tight black jeans, off-white overpriced designer T, and my awesome jacket, suddenly feeling conscious about all these clothes I threw money into without too much thought, when snuggled against my arm is this amazing creative woman that buys cheap fabric surpluses no one wants and turns them into outfits that inspire.
“I’m just a guy that can wear a pair of skinny jeans well, Rockstar. You’re the one who shines.”
“You and your words.” She beams at me, squeezing my arm.
“Are they working?” I ask with a grin, and Lauren laughs, letting me lead her outside.
“I had so much fun tonight, Mikey.” She looks up at me with shimmering eyes. “I can’t believe Judith Perth wants me to design her gala dress.”
“Judy is a sweetheart, and she has an eye for talent.” I smile at her, and since she’s a bit wobbly from all the cocktails, place my arm around her waist, under her jacket, so I can feel her skin against mine.
“She’s set to win an Emmy next year!” Lauren laughs with glee. “Oh, my God.” She stops in her tracks, bright eyes saucer wide as they stare up at me. “Do you think she might let me design her Emmy gown?”
“Obviously.” I turn to face her with a grin. “I’m really proud of you, Lore. You earned this, blood, sweat, and tears. This is one-hundred percent yours.”
She circles my middle with her arms, cheek pressed to my chest, and hugging me tight, my thumb caressing the smooth skin of her back.
“Thank you, Mikey.” Those big hazel orbs look at me again, soul-bearing and hypnotizing. “For everything.”
“In case you hadn’t realized yet,” I start, tucking an invisible strand behind her ear because this is Lauren, and she never has a hair out of place, then trailing my thumb down her cheek until it’s resting right under the swell of her bottom lip. “I’d do anything for you.”
“As a friend.”
“As a friend.” And even as the words leave my mouth, my head lowers. Slow, unsure, but unable to stop.
Lauren stands on her tiptoes, and our lips meet halfway. A soft and hesitant contact because neither of us is sure we should be doing this, but neither of us can find the will to pull away. Then, Lauren’s fingers slide around my neck and into my hair, and a soft sigh passes through her parted lips.
A rush of desire pulses through me, and I pull Lauren flush against my body, sliding my tongue into her mouth, tasting melon mojito, and something that I know down to the depths of my burning soul is the flavor of Lauren, and I want more.
My hand rests on her nape, tilting her head back to deepen the kiss. And the way Lauren moans into my mouth when I do, pressing her body against mine as if she can’t get close enough, her tongue sliding against mine with the same urgency I’m feeling, it’s overwhelming.
I move my head away, and Lauren whimpers, trying to pull me back down to her mouth. “Need to stop,” I manage to blurt out before sweeping her back into my arms. This time when our mouths meet with a clash, the lingering alcohol on her breath registers in my brain.
“Lauren,” I say more firmly this time, my hands moving to her waist so I can keep her stationary when I step back. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”
She stares at me in a haze, pupils blown, her lips plump and glistening from my kiss, and she’s so beautiful it makes my insides tingle. But then, the haze starts to lift, and my words must sink in.