What the hell did I just do? I sat in class, tapping my pen on the desk and staring blankly at Ms. Gibson's lecture. Guilt churned in my gut. I had flirted with Tasha, but it wasn't just that—I was protecting her from Damien. That prick was trouble, a snake who loved to mess with the women I'd been involved with. There was no way I'd let his sleazy charm hurt her.
But still, seeing her smile at him, enjoying his attention, left a sour taste in my mouth. And now I had to wait until Sunday to give her the surprise I'd been planning. Sunday felt like an eternity away.
The bell finally rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. I was out of the door before anyone else, weaving through the crowded hallways until I reached the parking lot. My eyes scanned the area until they landed on Giana. She was lounging on the hood of a red car, her dress riding up just enough to showcase her tan thighs.
She knew what she was doing, especially with that low-cut top leaving little to the imagination. It wasn't a surprise—Giana loved attention. My gaze lingered a second too long when I felt a heavy thud against my back.
"My man!" Kyle laughed, his arm draped over my shoulder.
I shrugged him off with a grunt.
"Damn, dude. What's got your boxers in a bunch?" he asked, following my line of sight. His expression twisted into a grimace. "Ugh. I don't get why you even bother with her."
"She's hot," I muttered, already heading toward Giana.
"Hot and useless," Kyle called after me, but I ignored him.
"Emmett," Giana purred as I approached, sliding gracefully off the car. Her ruby-red hair gleamed in the sunlight, matching the car and her lipstick.
I leaned against the car, letting her step between my legs. My hand brushed against her waist as her arms looped around my shoulders.
"I was thinking we could hang out," I murmured, letting my lips trail down her neck.
She pulled back, her hazel eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I've been wanting that for a while, but why now?"
I glanced at the sky, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. Now she wanted to ask questions? This whole time, she'd been throwing herself at me for another hookup, and suddenly she needed clarity.
Before I could answer, my gaze drifted across the parking lot. My jaw tightened as I spotted Tasha standing by her car, talking with Damien. She laughed at something he said, her shoulders relaxing as if they were old friends.
"Emmett!" Giana snapped, dragging my attention back to her.
Without thinking, I grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard. She gasped, but quickly melted into it, her hands clutching at my shoulders as I pressed my tongue into her mouth. The kiss turned heated, her hips grinding against me in a way that made heads turn.
When I finally pulled away, her eyes were half-lidded, and her lips were smeared with lipstick.
"Damn," she whispered breathlessly, stepping back to fix her clothes.
"Let's go," I said, already walking toward my car.
She followed, a satisfied smirk on her face as she climbed into the passenger seat. I slid into the driver's seat, my grip tightening on the wheel as Tasha's car passed by. Damien was still talking to her, and she looked so at ease with him.
"Come on, Emmett," Giana cooed, her hand trailing up my thigh. "What are you waiting for? I need more than just a kiss."
I nodded absently, pulling out of the parking lot. I barely registered her chatter as she talked on her phone. My mind was elsewhere, replaying the image of Tasha with Damien.
Tasha was my friend. She didn't know Damien like I did. He hated me, and his hatred wasn't subtle. He'd jump at any chance to one-up me, even if it meant dragging her into his mess.
I wasn't perfect—I made it clear to the girls I hooked up with that I wasn't looking for a relationship. Damien, though, was the complete opposite. He'd lead girls on, sleep with them, and then dump them. Worse, he'd boast about it to anyone who would listen.
Not Tasha. Not my Tasha.
I clenched the steering wheel, jaw tight. She didn't know how fucked up he was. I couldn't let her find out the hard way.
I pulled into my driveway, parking as Giana hopped out behind me. The house was empty—my parents were at work, and my sister was at cheer practice.
"Every time I see this place, it just oozes class," Giana said, running her fingers over a framed family photo in the hallway.
I said nothing, heading upstairs. Her heels clicked against the hardwood as she followed me to the guest room.
Once inside, I turned to find her already naked, her clothes discarded carelessly on the floor.
"I'm thinking you can put that passionate kiss to good use," she teased, tapping her fingers against her hip.
I chuckled darkly, pulling my shirt over my head and pushing her onto the bed. This was one way to burn off steam, though deep down, I knew it wouldn't help.
The tightness in my chest wasn't going anywhere.