“It’s human to be jealous. All week, I’ve been imagining what it would be like if it was me and Alex, and I wouldn’t like it one little bit.”
We bump hips, and I throw my hands around her neck, smacking a kiss to her cheek. “I don’t like it either, but this is going to be Reeve’s life, and I have to deal. He’s my one true love, and I’m his, and no one or nothing can ever change that.”
Whoops and hollers ring out, and I whip my head around in the direction of the guys. They’re sitting on fold-up chairs around a fire, drinking beers and laughing over something on Nate’s cell phone.
Audrey loops her arm through mine. “C’mon. Let’s find out what’s so entertaining.”
We amble to the guys, stumbling a little and giggling. I’ve lost count of how many vodka shots I’ve downed, but I feel carefree and happy, so I don’t care, even if I will have the mother of all hangovers tomorrow. Reeve reaches his arms out, pulling me down onto his lap, and I go willingly, draping myself around him and pressing my face to his neck. I inhale deeply, comforted by the minty, citrusy scent of his cologne. Brushing my lips against his neck, I silently rejoice when he shivers and his dick hardens under my ass.
“Give me that,” Audrey says, and I tilt my head, watching her swipe the cell from Zeke as I press feather-soft kisses against Reeve’s neck. “What the actual fuck?” she shouts, glaring briefly at Reeve and then Alex. She throws the cell at Zeke before jabbing her finger in Alex’s chest. “You better not have been looking at those photos.”
Alex shrugs, sliding his arm around the back of his girlfriend’s waist. Audrey shoves his arm away. “Babe, relax. It’s no different than watching porn, and you already know I do that.”
“It is fucking different when you’re ogling naked pictures of Saffron Roberts.”
Reeve’s body stiffens as I lift my head. “Wait. What?”
She sends me a sympathetic look. “They are nudes that were released last year when news of her affair hit the headlines. Apparently, one of her exes took them and cashed in on her popularity.”
What an asshole thing to do. For a brief second, I feel sorry for her until my jealousy rears its ugly head again. Grabbing Reeve’s face, I tilt his chin up so he’s looking at me. “Did you look at those photos?”
“No.” He vigorously shakes his head. “And I told them it was a bad idea.”
“You would say that,” Nate cuts in, his tone scoffing. “You’ll get to see her goods in the flesh. You should look at the pics so you can tell us whether she looks better in real life,” he adds, cupping his groin, “because I’ve got to tell you, my cock is dying to slide between those monster tits and fuck the shit out of them.”
Audrey pours her beer over Nate’s head, and I could kiss my bestie. I’m a generous C-cup, and I’ve never felt like I’m lacking in the boob department, but there is no way you would refer to my breasts as monster tits, and I hate how Nate’s words have me feeling a little inadequate.
“What the fuck?” Nate hops up, mopping the beer on his face with the edge of his shirt as he shoots daggers at my friend.
“You deserve that and more,” Audrey retorts, looking and sounding completely unapologetic.
“Viv.” Reeve’s fingers gently grasp my chin as he reclaims my attention. “Ignore them. They’re being idiots.” He brushes his lips against mine. “I didn’t look at them because I’ve no desire to see. You’re the only naked woman starring in my dreams.”
But for how long?
“Baby.” His breath fans across my overheated cheeks, rousing me from sleep. Reeve dusts light kisses all over my face as I yawn, rubbing sleep from my eyes as I sit up in my dark bedroom, pressing my back against the headboard. Pain flares, and cramps twist my belly into knots. I whimper, brushing matted strands of my brown hair off my sweat-slickened brow, as I bend over.
“Here,” he says, lifting my tank and pressing the warm heated pad to my lower stomach.
“Why are you here?” I ask over a groan. “Has the press conference been canceled?”
He switches on my bedside lamp, and I squint as my eyes adjust to the light. “No, it’s still early, but I wanted to stop by and make sure you were okay first.” He hands me a glass of water and drops a prescription pill into my palm.
“Fuck, I love you.” I pop the pill, and swallow it with water. “Does every boyfriend keep track of his girlfriend’s cycle, or are you a god among men?” I tease.
He puffs out his chest, grinning. “Pretty sure I’m a god among men, but I try to be modest.”
I fling my arms around him, squeezing him tight. “Thank you. I love you so fucking much.”
“Love you too, babe.” He pulls back the covers, gesturing at me to lie down. “Now, go back to sleep. You have another hour before you have to get up. Get Max to drive you to school, and I’ll be back in time to collect you.” Max is my family’s driver, and he usually ferries me around if Reeve isn’t available. However, I’ve been trying to drive myself more places since getting my license last year.
Snuggling down under the comforter, I keep the heated pad against my cramping stomach. Reeve tucks me in before kissing me softly on the lips. “See you later.”
“Good luck,” I call out after him. “I’ll be watching.”
“Reeve asked me to give you this,” Alex says, setting a paper carton down on the table in front of me. Despite popping another prescription pill just before lunch, I’m doubled over with stomach cramps. It’s the same every month when I get my period. Some months, I have to actually stay in bed because the pain is so freaking bad I can’t function. Mom took me to see her ob-gyn, and she said there is nothing wrong. Unfortunately, I’m just one of the female population who struggles with chronic period pain.
I pop the lid on the carton, unable to contain my smile, as I inhale the chicken noodle soup.
“Thank you.” Alex must have gone to my favorite deli to pick up Reeve’s order, and I’m grateful.
“You’re welcome. Reeve says I’m to watch you eat every bit.” His eyes lower to the tray of uneaten food in front of me.
Normally, I love the food in the cafeteria. Our private school employs highly skilled chefs to create a variety of balanced healthy meals, and the options are diverse and always delicious. But I struggle to stomach any food the first couple of days of my period. Reeve and I usually ditch the cafeteria those days to go to the deli by ourselves. I was tempted to go alone today, just to avoid the gossip, but I don’t have my car. Audrey would have come with, but I figure it’s best to just get it over and done with.
Anyone that wasn’t aware Reeve has landed a career-making role is now in the know, thanks to the press conference that aired a half hour ago. It’s all anyone is watching on their phones, and if I have to listen to one more comment about how beautiful Saffron Roberts is and how gorgeous Reeve and Saffron look together, I will punch someone.
Nate opens his mouth—to spout some stupid crap, no doubt—and I slap my hand over his lips, silencing him. I cannot deal with his crap today of all days. “Nope.” I level him with a dark look. “I do not want to hear any shit from you today. Not unless you want to be bitch slapped and kneed in the balls.”
Alex chuckles, and I shriek when Nate licks my palm.
“Eww.” Whipping my hand back, I wipe it down the front of my jeans. “That was gross.”
“Is it wrong that your little threats turn me the fuck on?” Nate asks, winking as he brings a bottle of water to his lips.
I roll my eyes, biting the inside of my cheek as pain slices across my lower belly. I wince, rubbing my stomach as I look wistfully at my soup. I’m not sure I can even stomach soup today.
“Want me to rub that for you?” Nate asks, leaning in closer and pinning me with a suggestive look.