“I kind of wish you would have worn your specs,” I say without thinking.

He chuckles, a beautiful half grin spreading across his face. It makes my panties wet and my knees weak at the same time.

Oh Lord, help me.

“Sorry to disappoint,” he says, still grinning. “But you…” His eyes trail down my body, blazing a fire in their wake and my skin falls victim to a wave of goose bumps. He locks his eyes back on mine before finishing his sentence, “You are sensational, Skyler. I wish I could write words to capture how beautiful you look right now.”

Damn him and his artsy brain.

“All right, fuckers, let’s go,” Kade says, breaking the spell Kip has me in. I almost forgot we were in college, for a second. “I need to pre-game if I’m going to be with all you damn couples.”

“Amen,” my Little says and I laugh, following them to the limo. Kip takes my hand in his and lifts it to his lips, placing a casual kiss on my knuckles as we walk. It’s so simple, a small gesture, but I stare at that spot on my skin as we walk, feeling the tingling burn from where his lips were pressed against it. I want to remember this, the way it feels to have him here with me this way. Even if I’m not allowed to, I want to file this away in a mental photo album.

I blink my eyes. Click.

“You okay there, squints?” Kip asks, smiling sideways at me.

I shake my head, embarrassed. “I’m fine. Something in my eye.”

Okay, nerd, pull it together.

Kip gets in the limo after everyone else and takes the last seat, causing me to stand awkwardly waiting for them to somehow make room. He offers a goofy smile and pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me as the driver shuts the door.

“What’s wrong, you going to act shy around me now?”

I flush red. “No. Maybe I didn’t want to sit on your lap, ever think of that?”

He looks a little hurt, his brows bunching together, but then he pulls me tighter and thrusts his hips up a little. I feel him through his pants, his hard on pressing into the fabric of my dress.

“Maybe I need you on my lap right now. Ever think of that?”

I swallow hard, turning to face him. His eyes are smoldering, hungry.

Kip leans forward, pressing his mouth against the sensitive skin behind my ear. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress,” he whispers, his breath hot and husky.

Yep. And now there’s an ocean in my panties.

He pulls my mouth to his and kisses me hard, taking my breath away. Gently, he tugs my bottom lip between his teeth and moves to whisper in my ear again, “I love that fucking lip of yours.”

“Get a room!” Kade yells, throwing a balled up red napkin that hits Kip’s ear before falling into my lap. Kip laughs and tosses it back, but suddenly I’m all too aware of another set of eyes in the car.

Erin’s.

For the rest of the ride to the dance, I hold conversation with my sisters and ignore Kip, even when he lifts his hips a little to remind me he’s still there.

And holy hell, is he ever there.

When we finally arrive at the country club where the dance is being held, I climb out of the limo quickly, grabbing Kip’s hand and heading for the front door. My skin is hot, my breathing erratic. I need water before I pass out. No matter where I go tonight, no matter what I do, Erin’s eyes will be there. Watching me. Waiting for her cue.

I feel sick.

I stumble, my heel wobbling as my ankle turns on its side. Kip catches me in his arms, not letting me fall more than an inch.

“Whoa.” He steadies me, still holding me tight. “Are you okay?”

I nod, trying to fake a smile that won’t come. “I just need some water.”

Kip looks around before finding a waiter with a tray of drinks. He flags him down and grabs a tall, sweating glass of ice water. I pull it quickly to my lips and drink the entire glass.

“Skyler, are you sure you’re okay?” Kip asks again. Jess eyes me from across the room, a really cute Alpha Sig’s arm around her shoulder. She mouths the same question as Kip asks and I try to speak with my eyes, but I’m not sure what to tell them to say.

Hell no I’m not okay.

Yes, I’m fine, go back to your man friend.

Please, save me.

Really, it’s all good. I just needed some water.

Kill me now.

Kip grips my hands tighter, pulling my attention back to him. “Come with me,” he says, tugging me toward the side of the building. I follow, still shaking slightly. I need to pull my shit together. What the hell is happening? I have the best poker face in the game. Period.

So why is it failing me now?

Kip leads us to a small garden illuminated by small white lights strung from the trees. We find a bench and sit.

“Where’s my feisty poker girl?”

I sigh. “I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well. I’m not sure what’s wrong. I’ll be fine, I think I just needed to sit down for a second.” I smile, hoping like hell he doesn’t see right through me.

Judging by the scrutiny on his face, I’m like fucking glass I’m so transparent.

He smiles, dropping my hands to reach inside his jacket. “I got you something,” he says, pulling out a long black box. It’s velvet, large. A necklace. Definitely a necklace.

“I didn’t get you anything,” I whine.

“Trust me.” He eyes me, his gaze leaving my eyes long enough to give me a once over. “You in that dress is present enough. And once I get you out of it, it’ll be the best fucking gift ever.”

I laugh and shove him playfully. “Who said you were getting me out of it, Romeo?”

“Ah! There she is! I thought I lost you.”

I punch him softly and he shakes his head, still smiling. Slowly, he holds the box in front of me and opens the lid. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Inside is a pair of sunglasses. Not just any pair, but a pair of red Ray Ban aviators with silver reflective lenses.

“Oh my God,” I say breathlessly, fingering the glasses.

Kip laughs, pulling them out and sliding them on my face. “I knew I could count on you to be the kind of girl who would get excited over new poker shades.” He pulls back, eying me. “They look good.”

Quickly, he grabs his phone and pulls up the camera, turning the lens to face me so I can see my reflection. They do look good, and they match my dress, which really makes me want to wear them all night. Maybe they will give me superpowers.

And with these glasses, you will possess the power to break all hearts except your own.

With great power comes great responsibility, right?

God, I’m a nerd.

“I love them,” I say, slowly taking them off so I can see Kip’s eyes better. “I really fucking love them.” I throw my arms around his neck and pull him close, burying my nose in his neck. I inhale him, committing his scent to memory. Body wash and wheat. And something else that I can’t quite place, like a new ink pen on freshly printed paper, if that is even a scent.

I’m going to miss this.

I’m going to miss him.

Kip pulls back, kissing my lips. “Good, I was hoping you would. Now,” he says, standing and holding his hand out to me. “Let’s go inside. As much as I want to take you and find an empty broom closet, we can’t waste that dress.”

“Would a dark enclosed space really be a waste?”

He contemplates, his eyes rolling up to the sky. “Touché, my friend. But alas, I demand at least one dance before we move to the closet.”

I laugh, placing my hand in his.

“Deal.”

“So do you see what I’m saying? He’s more difficult to read than my fucking biology books!” My Little huffs, shoving her lip gloss back in her clutch. I shake my head, fixing my mascara in the mirror.

“Take control, Little,” I say, rolling the brush over my lashes. “Kade is young. Hot, but young. If you want him, make a move.”