I bite back another laugh, finding her way too amusing right now. “You’re making me sound really girly.”

“No, you’re not girly at all.” Her expression is dead serious. “You’re just so… sexy...” She stares at my mouth. “I really like your tongue piercing. In fact, it might be my favorite part about you. Well, looks-wise.”

I have to bite down on my tongue just to keep myself from slamming my lips against hers. The way she’s looking at me now, with lust in her eyes, is just plain agonizing not to act on.

Just when I think I can’t take anymore of her kind words and desire-filled looks, she laces her fingers through my hair and plays with the strands. Like a magnet, my lips glide toward hers. I’m fully ready to suffer all the consequences just to feel her lips against mine again.

Right before our mouths connect, though, she suddenly pulls back, slapping her hand across her mouth. “Think I’m going to be sick.” She springs from the chair and pushes her way to the bathroom.

My head flops back, and I release a deafening breath. Goddammit, what the hell was I thinking? Not only is she drunk, but I’d be in some serious shit with Doc if he ever found out. And the guy seems to know everything.

I send Violet in to check on Emery. Ten minutes later the two of them wander out. Emery looks tired; her eyelids are heavy, and her skin is pale.

“I need to go home,” Emery says apologetically. “I’m so sorry, guys. I’m such a lightweight.”

“I’m glad you are because I’m totally ready to get out of here,” Luke replies, more to make Emery feel better than anything. “I have to get up for work early, anyway.”

The four of us pile into the car. This time I sit in the backseat with Emery. She ends up falling asleep on my shoulder, her breath caressing my neck every time she exhales.

“She’s not too bad,” Violet remarks through a yawn. “We should hang out more often.”

“I think that’s the Jäger talking,” Luke tells Violet, steering the car onto the main road.

The lampposts flicker inside the car as we pass them, and a song by Brand New plays from the stereo. Luke turns up the music a little, and I relax back in the seat.

Violet shakes her head and rests her head against the window. “No… way.”

Luke and I both laugh as she passes out. Then he glances in the rearview mirror at me. “So, what’s up with you two?”

I shrug, glancing down at Emery.

What’s going on between us?

A dangerous game

that no one can really win.

The drive home feels short, but maybe that’s because I’m enjoying having Emery cuddled up against me. By the time Luke parks my car, it’s past two o’clock in the morning and the clouds have rolled in. He ends up having to carry Violet inside, and I do the same to Emery, taking her up to her apartment in my arms.

I put her in bed and pull the blankets over her. As I’m leaning back, she opens her eyes.

“Thank you, Ryler,” she murmurs then lifts her head and presses a soft kiss to my cheek.

“You’re welcome,” I sign in confusion. “But for what?”

“For taking me out and letting me have fun. No one has ever done that for me before.”

“Well, thank you for going out with me.”

“Would you…” she trails off. “Never mind.”

“No, go ahead.” I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’m listening.”

Her mouth opens as she yawns. “Would you lay by me until I fall asleep?”

I hesitate, but then she pouts out her lip, and I give in. Kicking off my boots, I climb into bed beside her, making sure to stay on the outside of the covers.

At first, we’re both stiff, but then she unwinds and nuzzles against me. I can’t even remember the last time I spent the night with a girl. I’ve somehow forgotten how much warmer the bed is when I’m not sleeping alone. Her body feels so inviting against mine, and every time she exhales, her breath tickles my cheek.

“Have you ever been in love before?” Emery murmurs as she sets her head on my shoulder and places a soft kiss on my flesh.

My body stiffens, but I think she’s too drunk to notice. I shake my head

“Really?” She yawns again, rotating her body and propping her chin up on my chest to look up at me. “I would have guessed you’d say yes.”

I raise my hands, and she leans back to give me room to sign. “A few years ago I would have, but I learned my lesson over the last few years.”

“Lesson over what?”

“That sometimes people think they're in love when they’re really not.”

“That’s sad.” Her lip juts out. “But I think it might be true for me.”

“Really?”

She nods. “I once thought I was in love with Evan, but I think I was just seriously confused about love. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt it for anyone. At all.”

“Me neither,” I admit depressingly, but then force a stiff smile. “We still have time, though. We’re still young.”

“You might, but I’m going to end up marrying Evan.” Her eyes snap wide as if she just realized the truth to her words.

“You don’t have to marry him.” My hands dance between us, speaking for me. “You have a choice.”

“No, I don’t.” Her eyes well with tears, but she inhales, forcing them back. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be talking to you about this.”