The Perfect Spiral (by Ashley Constantine) novel Chapter 4

Wes leaned his forehead against mine. His voice was low and rough. “You’re driving me crazy, Alex. Do you know that?”

We stared at each other for what seemed like forever, daring each other to go through with what we both wanted. I tightened my grip around his neck, which made him pull me closer. This was so wrong but felt so good. If I kissed him, he would be the second guy from my brothers’ friends I kissed.

“I want to kiss you so bad it hurts,” Wes said, “but I’d still get beaten to a pulp by Kyle in particular, and I do like my face.”

“I like your face too,” I said.

He slid his hands from my waist up towards the top of my back and pulled me closer. “Alex, we shouldn’t—” he breathed out onto my lips.

“Wes, just kiss me,” I whispered back. Our noses were touching, and we stared at each other. I could see the hesitation in his eyes until a flash of resolve crossed his face.

His lips were on mine. The kiss was soft at first and so unexpected, but I silently screamed on the inside. His hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me closer. Tilting my head to the side, his tongue met my lower lip, requesting entrance. After a split second of hesitation, I opened my mouth for his tongue to explore.

Our tongues danced together, fighting for dominance. He let out a throaty moan, which turned me on even more. I pushed myself up against him, his hand wandering down to cup my butt. I let out a gasp, while his other hand remained on my neck, gripping it passionately.

Wes looked up and around before lifting me up slightly and pushing me up against the wall. His lips met mine once again, and we continued our passionate make-out session. It was hot and heavy, and it was turning me on so much, especially when he let out those deep moans.

I don’t know how long we were kissing for, but our moment was interrupted by a voice. “Alex?” My arms were still wrapped around his neck, while his hands were tangled in my hair and cupping my ass. We both turned to the side to see who had interrupted us.

Oh. My. God.

“Drew?” My eyes widened in the dim light, taking in his familiar face. His nose was swollen and tinged with a light purple hue, a testament to the punch I’d landed on him, thanks to my brothers’ years of training.

I felt Wes tense beside me, and I knew then and there, things were about to get ugly. “What the hell are you doing here, Drew?” Wes’s voice was a low growl as he stepped protectively in front of me.

“What are you doing with my girlfriend, Wes?”

“Ex-girlfriend, Drew. EX. I dumped you, remember, after you CHEATED ON ME, remember?” Drew took a step closer, but Wes stood tall, his arm outstretched in a protective gesture.

“Babe, please, let’s talk about this alone,” Drew said. “Let me explain everything to you. We can work i—”

Wes cut him off. “Didn’t you hear? She doesn’t want to talk to you. You lost the right to call her your girlfriend when your dick was inside another girl, asshole.” His words visibly struck a nerve in Drew.

Drew lunged at Wes, their foreheads nearly touching, their chests heaving with anger. “What the fuck did you say to me?” Drew growled. Oh god, I felt sick.

Drew broke eye contact with Wes and met my gaze. He tried to maneuver around Wes and Andy, but Wes blocked him. “Don’t go near her, don’t touch her, don’t even look at her,” Wes warned.

Drew’s eyes were still locked on mine. He mouthed “I’m sorry” at me, and I felt tears prick at my eyes. He turned and walked away. I was stunned that he’d walked away instead of fighting Wes. I knew Wes would fight for me. He always had, from the first day I met him.

I tilted my head back, trying to keep the tears at bay, and rushed out of the room. Wes followed and caught me in a hug outside. He cupped my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’ll take you home.” I nodded, unable to form any words.

We made it back to my apartment, Wes’s hands on my hips guiding me. As soon as we reached my room, he kissed my shoulder. I turned to him and gave a shy smile, which he returned. “You mind staying over? I don’t want to be alone.”

“Of course.”

I reached for the jersey that Delilah Carter had sent me, the one I slept in every night, Knox’s. I heard Wes chuckle behind me. When I turned around, he was shirtless, his abs more defined than I remembered. I blushed at the thought of him sleeping next to me. Shit!

“Did Knox send you that?” His voice snapped me out of my daze. I looked down at the shirt in my hand and back up at him.

“Uhm, no, Delilah sent me this.” My response made him laugh out loud, his hand brushing against his abs, my eyes following the movement.

“What’s so funny?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest in a failed attempt to look mad.

Still laughing, he replied, “Nothing, never mind.” I was too tired to press him further. “I’m going to change in here,” I said, gesturing to the bathroom. He nodded, and I slipped inside, kicked off my heels, scrubbed off my makeup, and threw on the jersey. Remembering my foot cream was still on the nightstand, I stepped out, grabbed it, and sat on the bed to apply it—only to hear a quiet sigh from my right.

I pumped some cream onto my hands and massaged my legs. He groaned out loud. “Why do you like torturing me? You’re really not helping my little friends downstairs,” he said.

I started to get up. “I’ll put some pants on then if you’re uncomf—” I was cut off as he wrapped an arm around my torso, pulling me back down to the bed.

“Don’t you dare, Al,” he said, his smile evident in his voice. I giggled at his reply.

“Do you regret it?” he asked, knowing exactly what he meant.