16. Abbie
16
ABBIE
C orey’s hand is back on my thigh, his fingers stroking in ways that send shivers up my spine. Seth’s leaning back in his chair, his tie loosened, watching me with a smirk that makes me feel like I’m under a microscope. The air in the room feels charged, thick, and I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or the way they’re both looking at me.
“So, Abbie,” Seth starts, his voice velvety smooth, like he’s savoring the words. “Corey here’s been singing your praises. But I gotta say, he undersold you. You’re… something else.”
I laugh, a nervous sound that catches in my throat. “Yeah? What’d he say? That I’m great at making terrible drinks?”
Corey chuckles, his arm draped across my shoulders. “I said you’re smart. Witty. Gorgeous. And yeah, maybe a little clumsy with the vodka, but it’s endearing.”
“Endearing,” Seth repeats, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “That’s one word for it. I’d go with captivating. You’ve got this… vibe. Like you don’t even know how hot you are.”
My face flushes, and I take a sip of the water Corey handed me earlier. “I think you’re both just drunk.”
“Oh, we’re not that drunk,” Corey says, his eyes locked on mine. “Trust me, I’m sober enough to know what I’m talking about.”
Seth grins, leaning back again. “He’s right. You’re not exactly the type we’d forget. And we’ve seen a lot.”
I raise an eyebrow, trying to keep my tone light. “Oh, so you’re saying I’m not like the other girls? That’s original.”
Corey laughs, a deep, rich sound that makes my insides flip. “No, you’re not like anyone else. And that’s what makes you very interesting. To both of us.”
Seth nods, his heated gaze lingering on me. “Exactly. You’re… real. Not trying to be something you’re not. It’s really refreshing.”
I shift in my seat, feeling exposed under their attention. “I’m just… me.”
“And that’s enough,” Corey says, his voice firm, like he’s trying to convince me of something. “More than enough.”
Seth leans in again, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. “You know, Corey’s not usually this… smitten. But you? You’ve got him wrapped around your finger. And honestly? I can see why.”
I look at Corey, who’s watching me with an intensity that makes me breathless. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You might not,” Seth says, his smirk widening. “But I’ll tell you this—if you’re not careful, you’re going to have both of us fighting over you.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” Corey says, his hand moving down my arm to my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. “But he’s not wrong.”
I look down at our intertwined hands, my heart fluttering in my chest. “I don’t get it. Why me? You could have anyone.”
Corey’s lips brush over my knuckles, his voice soft but steady. “Because you’re not just anyone. You’re you.”
Seth leans back, his arms spread across the back of the couch. “We're both interested. Very interested.”
I feel like I’m caught in some kind of dream, one where two impossibly handsome men are looking at me like I’m the only person in the room. It’s overwhelming, intoxicating, and I’m unsure if I should lean into it or run for the door. But for now, I stay right where I am, caught between them, trying to see what the actual hell is happening.
Corey’s hand is still on mine, the contact making my skin tingle. Seth’s watching us with that same smile, like he’s waiting for his turn. The air between us feels electric, and I’m can’t tell if it’s the alcohol or the way they’re both looking at me, but I’m starting to feel excited. Really fucking excited.
“You’re quiet,” Corey says, his voice almost a purr. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
I glance at him, then at Seth, who’s leaning forward now, his elbows on his knees, his eyes locked on me. “I’m just… trying to understand what’s happening here.”
Seth grins, his voice smooth and teasing. “What’s happening is you’ve got two men sitting here, wondering what it’s going to take to get you to relax.”
I raise an eyebrow, trying to keep my tone light. “Relax? I’m not sure I know how to do that around you two.”
Corey chuckles, his hand moving from mine to my knee, his touch warm and steady. “Maybe we need to help you with that.”
Seth leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Yeah, maybe we need to show you how good it feels to let go.”
I hold my breath as Corey’s hand slides higher on my thigh, his fingers making me shiver. Seth’s watching me, his eyes dark, his lips curved in a smile that’s equal parts playful and dangerous.
“You’re blushing,” he says, his voice teasing. “I like it.”
I laugh, a nervous sound that catches in my throat. “I’m not blushing.”
“Oh you are,” Corey says, his hand moving still higher on my leg, his thumb brushing against my panties, making me gasp with surprise and pleasure. “And it’s adorable.”
Seth’s gaze is locked on me. “Adorable, yeah. But also sexy as hell.”
I feel my face heat up, and I reach forward to take a sip of the water Corey handed me earlier, trying to steady myself. “This is insane.”
“Maybe,” Corey says, his eyes boring into mine. “But you’re still here, which means you're considering what we're offering.”
My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my temples. Corey’s hand is still on my thigh, his fingers pressing just enough to make me shiver, and Seth’s leaning in closer, his breath warm against my ear. The room feels like it’s spinning, but not from the alcohol—from them. From the way they’re looking at me, like I’m the only thing that matters right now.
I take a deep breath as I try to steady myself. “I’m new to all of this,” I say, my voice shaky but with a hint of a laugh. “You know that, right?”
Corey smirks, his hand sliding higher, his thumb brushing against the edge of my panties. “We know. But you’re still here.”
Seth chuckles, his fingers still tangled in my hair, his other hand resting on the back of the couch. “Yeah, you’re not exactly running for the door. What’s that say about you?”
My mind is racing. This is crazy. This is so crazy. But then again, I don’t remember the last time I did something crazy. These feelings are so intense, so raw. Chandler’s face flashes in my mind, but I push it away. He’s not here. He’s not part of this. This is about me. About what I want.
“You’re thinking too hard,” Corey murmurs, his voice low and smooth, like he’s reading my mind. “Just let go.”
I glance at him, then at Seth, who’s watching me with that same smirk, like he’s daring me to take the leap. And then it hits me—why not? Why the hell not? I’ve spent so much of my life playing it safe, doing what I’m supposed to do, being the responsible one. But tonight? Tonight, I’m not that girl. Tonight, I’m someone else. Someone who takes what she wants.
“Okay,” I say, my voice steadier now, more confident. “Okay. Let’s do this. What happens now?"
Seth grins, leaning in so close I can feel the intense heat of his body. “Now,” he says, his voice a velvety purr, “we show you exactly what you’ve been missing.”