She crossed her arms and jutted her chin, her confidence faltering but not wanting to let him see that. “How would you know? You’re not in my head. You only think you know me.”
“Is that right?” His hazel eyes had gone dark, and the effect sent a little shiver through her. He took a step forward, holding her gaze. “Okay. Then take off your shorts, O’Neal.”
The words were like shots fired, making her ears ring. Her throat went dry. “Wh-what?”
She could feel Lennox in her periphery, watching them in rapt silence.
Auden cocked a brow at her, only an arm’s length away now. “You said you want to know the fuss? Fine. Take off your shorts and panties, and I’ll show you.” He leaned a little closer, never breaking eye contact. “I’ll get on my knees and put my mouth on that sweet, untouched pussy of yours and lick you until you’re well and truly fussed.”
All her air left her.
“I bet you’re already wet from the movie,” he went on in that smooth-as-butter tone. “All slick and ready. You’d come against my tongue in no time.”
Her whole body shivered, and her stomach tried to fold in on itself. She’d never heard those kinds of words even spoken aloud, and she’d definitely never been talked to like that. To have those erotic threats coming out of Auden’s mouth… She was both scandalized and very,veryhot.
The silence stretched between them, the air electric. She flexed her fingers at her side, trying to regain her bearings. “You’re trying to scare me off.”
“You think?” he said, a little hitch in his lips. “Then call my bluff.”
Part of her was tempted to reach for the button of her shorts just to prove a point. Strip down, fear be damned, and win the argument. She knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to shock her, to scare her, to show her just how naïve she was in comparison to them. She didn’t want to concede.
But she also knew there was no way she could even take off her shirt in front of these guys much less anything else. Panic was inching in.
She stared at Auden, trying to come up with what to say to save her pride, but then an idea hit her. She turned to Lennox, who was sitting there, seemingly enjoying the show unfolding in front of him.
She put out a hand to him. “Can you come here a second?”
Lennox looked surprised but grabbed her hand and smiled, getting to his feet. “Of course.”
She turned to Lennox, feeling Auden’s intense presence a few feet from her. She swallowed past the nerves in her throat. “Can you show me what a good kiss is like? I want to learn.”
Len’s eyes widened, and his hand tightened on hers. She didn’t know much about guys, but she could see the interest there. But before he answered, he looked to Auden. “I’d be happy to, Sweets, but not without Auden’s okay.”
“What?” she snapped. “He doesn’t get to make that call. He doesn’t get to decide who I’m on- and off-limits to.”
Lennox gave her a gentle look. “He doesn’t. But he’s also my friend, and I made a promise to him. I take that seriously.” He eyed his friend. “Auden?”
O’Neal turned her head to find Auden with a stony expression. He met her gaze. “You don’t want to kiss him. You’re doing this to get me to back off.”
She gathered her courage and threw his words back at him. “Then call my bluff.”
He folded his arms. “Fine. Permission granted, Len. Make sure you make it good.”
O’Neal blinked, startled by the response. That wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
Lennox put a gentle hand on her cheek and turned her face back toward him. His green eyes were full of mischief. “Time to say no if you don’t want this, Sweets.”
She bit her lip, taking in the sight of him that close. The guy really was beautiful. And intimidating as hell. She had zero idea what she was doing. She’d kissed exactly one person one time. He was probably going to laugh at her, or feel sorry for her or—
“Yes.”
The word had come out on its own, her body answering for her.
Lennox smiled, slid his hand beneath the curtain of her hair, and tipped her face up. Before she could panic fully, he lowered his mouth to hers. His lips were soft against hers, tasting of vanilla from the ice cream and something uniquely him. He tugged on her bottom lip gently and teased with the tip of his tongue. Her lips parted and his tongue slipped inside, sending heat zipping up her spine. His grip on her neck tightened just a little, controlling the angle, the pace, coaxing her where he wanted.Teachingher. His tongue stroked against hers, and his other hand went to her hip. He kneaded her there, the gentle pressure sending waves of aching need straight downward. She sighed into his mouth, her body melting like ice on hot pavement.
When he pulled back, he smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Beautiful. Thank you.”
She blinked up at him, dazed and shivery. “Uh, thanks back?”