I froze, staring at his fingers still wrapped around my arm. Now, we have been known to be overly affectionate from time to time, but this was taking things to a whole new level. I was sure that I had to be imagining things. After all, tequila did strange things to me.

Seeing my shocked expression, he laughed. “What?” he said, like it was no big deal that he just licked me. I mean, up until now we were just going through the typical tequila shot ritual and licking salt from our own wrists, but he was changing the game and it felt more intimate then I was used to. I met his eyes, mine narrowing as I tried to figure out his end game.

“Relax, Red. I used to lick the salt from your neck, remember?” He chuckled, focusing back on the screen in front of us.

That was true. When in doubt, blame the tequila. I quickly sprinkled salt on the spot he just licked, downed the shot, and bit into the lime. I was trying to convince myself that the warmth spreading through my body was from the tequila and not the feel of Drew’s tongue on my skin. I wondered what else he could do with that tongue. Tequila shots were not a smart idea.

Three shots later, I was feeling fantastic, if not a little woozy. Okay, a lot woozy. I leaned back on the couch and dropped my head to Drew’s shoulder. He shifted, bringing his arm around me, and I snuggled into him. He was comfortable. We stayed like that for most of the movie. We missed the last two flashes a while ago, but I was already on my way to sloppy from the shots we already had. There was no need to make it worse.

Drew looked down at me. As I raised my head, a lazy smile stretched across my face.

“You look happy.”

With the alcohol warming my belly, I snuggled closer. “You make me happy.”

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead. “You make me crazy.” His voice turned soft and deep. He brushed a stray piece of my hair behind my ear. He was only inches away from my face.

“You love it,” I teased.

His gaze went to my lips, and he shifted closer. His warm breath tickled my lips. “Yeah, I do.”

Then he did the unthinkable. He closed the gap, pressing his lips to mine, soft at first, then with more of a frantic need. His lips began to move against mine and I couldn’t help but match his pace. The kiss intensified as we both gave in, surrendering our lips to each other.

I felt so lightheaded. I couldn’t tell if it was the booze or his kiss. He pulled me tight against his chest, brought his hand to the back of my neck, and tilted my head, giving him better access to my mouth. The feeling was unbelievable. Everything felt fuzzy, like a daydream.

Aww man, that was it. I must have passed out at some point. It was a dream. There was no other explanation. So, when in Rome, right?

I ran my hand over his stomach and up to his chest, resting it just over his pounding heart as he parted my lips with his tongue. Oh my God, he tasted amazing, like salt, lime, and honey, my new favorite flavors.

I heard him moan in the back of his throat, and the next thing I knew I was on my back, pressed into the couch as his body fit perfectly against mine. It was the best tequila-induced dream I’d ever had. I definitely enjoyed it more than I should have. His lips were soft and firm. Our tongues were in perfect sync as we caressed and explored each other. My body went tingly and weak. All I felt were his hands and those lips as he kissed me breathless.

He ran his hand down my side, over my hip, and down my thigh, stopping to pull my knee up as he settled between my legs. I gasped as his lips left my mouth and began to travel down my neck. My body arched into him, fitting against him in all the right places.

Man, it was a really good dream. Then, like the best dreams always do, it faded to black.

Chapter 5

Drew (Then)

Alex: Are you going to this Sigma Kai thing tomorrow?

I shot a quick text back to Red.

Drew: Yeah.

Alex: Thank God! Kerri is driving me crazy. She has been a nut case all week.

Drew: You know she broke up with Sean right?

Alex: Seriously? Well I guess that explains the frantic need to attend a frat party.

I shook my head. I couldn’t say I was sad about Sean and Kerri. That chick was a bitch. Sean seemed to be doing okay, but I still needed to warn him that she was going to be at the party.

I’ve been to the Sigma Kai house a few times with my brother before he graduated. I stayed cool with his fraternity brothers, so they kept me in the loop for the good parties.

When Sean and I made it to the house, the party was already crazy. Red plastic cups littered the front yard and the bass from the music was so loud, it made the house seem like it had a heartbeat. I heard a cheer from a group of guys on the porch who were standing in a circle around two girls making out. I just shook my head. I couldn’t believe the shit girls would do for attention. Sean stopped to watch and I grabbed ahold of his jacket and dragged him in the house.

Inside, the house was sensory overload. The music thumped so loud I could feel my heartbeat changing to keep up with it. The lights were dim except for the full assault of strobe and dance floor lighting. The air smelled of stale beer, pot, and desperation.

I looked around to see who was here as I felt a pair of arms snake around me from behind. I turned to see a tiny blonde locked onto my back. I smiled down at her. She was cute, but it was way too early in the night for me to settle. She looked up at me, her blue eyes glazed over. She was either already drunk, high, or both.

“Hey,” she said, blinking fast in an awkward attempt at batting her eyelashes.

“Hey,” I said, trying to pull her off of me.

She just tightened her grip around my waist. “Haven’t I seen you playing football in the quad by the science building?”

“Yeah.” I made another attempt to remove her.

“Let me guess. Tight end?” she asked, grabbing my ass to test her theory. She giggled at her lame attempt at a joke.

I could tell that getting rid of her wouldn’t be easy, so I had to switch tactics. I smiled down at her and her hopeful eyes widened. I ran my hands down her sides to her ass. “Yours is pretty tight too, babe.”

I bent down and lifted her up. She rested her legs on my hips and wrapped her arms around my neck, giggling into my face. I took two steps forward, deposited her on a bar stool, and ducked out of her arms, which were wrapped around my neck.

“Not tonight,” I said. I turned around to find Sean.

He was already hitting the keg pretty hard, so my guess was Kerri was here already. I looked around and caught sight of her surrounded by three guys from the lacrosse team, but no sign of Red. I went up behind Sean, dropping my hand on his shoulder as he poured another beer and handed it to me. He stared at Kerri as he downed the cup and went in for another refill. This was a bitch move, even for Kerri. It pissed me off. Sean was a good guy. He didn’t deserve this shit.

Just then, I saw Red standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She looked at Sean, then over to where Kerri was holding court. Red’s face twisted with disgust as she marched over to us. Before I even knew what was happening, she grabbed Sean by the back of the neck and kissed him, pulling him against her. Sean seemed surprised at first, then responded, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her back. I had no idea what the hell was happening. I just stood there, staring at them making out in the kitchen while people cheered and raised their glasses.