3. Piper
PIPER
My house is usually my favorite place besides the shelter, but tonight it just feels lonely. I tried watching something on TV but all I can smell is Mack’s cologne wafting from the fabric of the couch. I wish it didn’t make my stomach flip but it still does—even after today.
My heart sinks as I replay what happened in my mind.
My best friend doesn’t think I can take care of myself, and her brother only wants in my pants.
Awesome.
Picking up my phone, I type out a text to my brother Levi who is more of a hot mess than I am and probably the only one who will commiserate with me.
Our older sister, Ainsley, is a single mom, divorced, and trying desperately to get her life back on track while Levi’s twin, Dallas, is traveling the country and making a hell of a living coding for private contacts.
PIPER: Mack slept at my house last night
LEVI: DID YOU FINALLY BANG?
PIPER: I feel like that was completely unnecessary
PIPER: Also no
LEVI: Why the hell not?
PIPER: Because no. But also I guess he had to work late and then snuck in and crashed on my couch
LEVI: Boring
PIPER: Rory told me I can’t sleep with him
LEVI: Should you? Probably not, but it will definitely be fun while it lasts
PIPER: She thinks he’ll break my heart
LEVI: That’s a given—but just do it so you’ll finally know what an orgasm feels like
PIPER: I never should have told you that
LEVI: Definitely not but here we are
Knock. Knock.
I nearly fumble my phone as I lean against the counter, my heart racing as I send another message.
PIPER: Hold on someone’s at the door
LEVI: Bet it’s Mack
Why would he be here?
Pushing that thought aside, I make my way to the door and look through the peephole, nearly squeaking when I see who’s on the other side.
“Open the door, Piper.”
The way he says my name has a little shiver racing down my spine, and steeling myself to be strong and resist what’s bound to be his most charming self, I open the door.
“What?” I ask, trying to sound unaffected at the tight white T-shirt and well-worn jeans Mack is wearing.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay,” he says, his gaze scanning over me in the least suggestive way.
Like you would a friend.
And I don’t know if I’m disappointed or relieved.
“I’m fine.”
“Can I come in?”
“No.”
He blows a breath out and stares off to the side, his hands resting on his hips, and with the sun as a backlight, he looks so sexy it hurts.
“Okay,” he sighs, defeat clear in his tone. “Do you want your key back?”
“What?” I ask, baffled, as he pulls the ring from his pocket and flips through them until he finds mine.
“Your key. You were right; it’s for emergencies only.”
“Stop.” I try putting my hand over his as my brain slowly tries to catch up. I don’t want the key back and I don’t want whatever this is. “That’s not—”
“And you’re still upset about earlier, and you should be because—”
“Mack, stop.”
“I was a dick, and you’re right. I know it sounded bad, but I didn’t—”
I’ve watched movies like this, where one character won’t shut up and the other kisses them even though it’s the least logical option. It’s ridiculous.
Absurd.
But in this moment, I get it. I so get it because it’s not so much a conscious decision as it is an impulse, and that impulse has me holding Mack’s face in my hands as I take his mouth in a bruising kiss.
Or I try to.
It’s hard to kiss someone when they’re so stunned they’re practically frozen.
Seconds tick by and my brain is yelling mayday while my body is still praying for a reaction.
And then it happens.
There’s a clank as Mack’s keys fall to the front step, and his arms wrap around me, one at my lower back, the other snaking up to the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair and pulling until I gasp.
When my lips part, his tongue slips into my mouth, stroking and caressing mine as he deepens the kiss, and now I do want him to come inside.
I want his weight on top of me as his cock fills me, and I want to fall apart at his touch, bursting into a thousand little pieces as I writhe beneath him.
“Come inside.”
“What?” he asks, wrenching back, his eyes wild and his lips swollen and sexy and wet from our kiss. I can just imagine those same lips trailing over my skin and I need it.
I need him.
“Come inside and—”
“No. This was a mistake.”
“A mistake?” I breathe, stepping out of his embrace as I reach back, my hand fumbling against the doorknob as I try to steady myself.
“What? No. Not a mistake.”
“I heard you say this was a mistake.”
“Yeah, but it’s not what I meant. I meant the timing was a mistake—I shouldn’t have done that.” He runs his fingers through his hair, his eyes pleading with me to understand.
And maybe part of me does but the other part is angry, the emotion taking hold and forcing me to straighten my spine as we face off.
“You didn’t do anything. I kissed you but maybe that’s the real mistake.” He takes a step toward me but stops when I shake my head and move farther back into the doorway.
“Piper.”
Piper.
Not the nickname that I secretly like but pretend drives me crazy.
“Let’s just pretend this never happened.” He looks crestfallen but he doesn’t try to stop me as I close the door, pausing when it’s barely open a crack. “But really, please don’t tell your sister. I don’t think I can handle any I told you so’s right now.”
Mack opens his mouth to speak, but I’ve heard enough tonight and close the door, throwing the lock before leaning back against it and wondering if it’s really for the best.
Or if this time, it’s my head that’s led me astray.