Chapter 296

Some argument breaks out about who should go first. It’s a ridiculous argument that I absolutely refuse to participate in, even enough to pay attention. I’m still embarrassed to be taking part in this silly endeavor at all.

It must be the alcohol churning through our veins driving all of this forward. I can’t imagine any other scenario where I, or any of them, would agree to share a kiss with me while the others watched and waited. Talk about awkward.

I would have to be careful how I react to each kiss. They are going to be on the lookout for any discrepancies in my features or reactions, trying to make a competition of this even though I told them not to.

Truthfully, there’s no need for them to be competitive to each other. All of their kisses are enjoyable, even if they are different.

Finally, the order is decided.

I stand out in the yard and take a pull of my beer as Beau is the first to come up to me.

“It was my idea, after all,” Beau says.

I roll my eyes but beckon him closer.

He saddles up to me and wraps his arms around my waist. He tugs me closer.

This close, he can whisper, “I don’t need to prove anything. I know I’m the best kisser here. I just like to watch them squabble.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I say, laughing a little.

He takes the opportunity to press his lips to mine. With my mouth still open, he slides his tongue inside. It’s pleasant and lingering. Beau is an attentive lover, so he is very thorough as he explores my mouth with his tongue.

I sigh against him, slumping slightly in his arms.

When he pulls away, he looks down at me with fondness in his eyes and a smug yet irresistible smirk on his lips.

I shake my head at him.

He leans in, kisses my nose, and saunters away.

“I win!” he announces and gets another beer.

Next in line is Neil.

“Seniority,” Neil explains.

He moves slower than Beau, more calculating. He lifts a hand and cups my cheek. With gentle encouragement, he guides me in. His fingers curl under my chin, lifting my lips. Then, softly, he presses his mouth to mine.

When his tongue comes, he licks tenderly at the seam of my lips. I open my mouth obediently and he slips it into my mouth.

I melt against him. When he pulls away, I sigh again, my breath firmly stolen.

He stares down at me, eyes soft. He smiles, just a little.

He doesn’t say anything as he turns and walks away. He doesn’t need to. His confidence oozes off of his every pore.

I can’t take my eyes off of him. Confidence is sexy.

Speaking of confidence, Archer is next.

He doesn’t say anything.

His eyes are on me with an intense focus. I feel like a prey animal under the gaze of a fierce predator. I’m not afraid, though. Instead, I want to be devoured.

Archer walks to me with wide strides. He doesn’t slow until he is collided into me. He wraps one arm around my waist, the other cups the back of my head.

His mouth zeros in, straight on mine. His kiss is relentless. It’s a hungry kiss, demanding and all-intense. His tongue plunges into my mouth, claiming all of me for his own.

All I can do is hold onto his shoulders, clinging for my life. I’m caught up in his whirlwind, threatening to be lost.

When the kiss finally ends, I have no breath left to sigh. Instead I gasp.

Gods. Archer kisses like he fights. He holds nothing back.

He makes sure I’m steady on my feet. Then he steps away. His face is impassive, but I can see how red his lips are. Knowing I did that, gives me a sense of satisfaction.

Before me, Steven clears his throat. I look back at him. His cheeks are dusted red, even though his eyes are filled with heat.

I lick my lips to prepare myself.

Steven tracks the movement. Slowly, nervously, he steps closer to me.

“Piper,” he says.

He traces his hands down my arms, starting at the shoulder, all the way down to my wrists. He twists our fingers together as he leans closer, closer. Then, finally, after much anticipation, our lips connect.

It’s sweet, gentle, even as he sweeps his tongue into my mouth.

In the end, as he pulls back, I find myself leaning forward, searching for his lips. For more.

“Thank you,” he whispers as he steps back from me.

Gods help me. Kissing one is enough to clear my mind and heart. Kissing each of them one after the next has left me feeling like a pile of goo.

My knees are wobbly. As I make my way back to my chair, I’m surprised I can do so without falling over. The boys don’t seem to notice my strife. They seem to be too busy smirking at each other, all of them pleased with themselves. Even Steven has a private little smile.

Honestly? They deserve to be smug. They are all really, really good kissers in different ways. Granted, I already knew that. The only thing this has done is provide a fun evening for me.

“So…” Beau starts. I know what he’s going to say before he says it, and gives him a withering look. That doesn’t stop him from asking, “Which of us is the best?”

I groan loudly. Everyone else does too.

But in the end, we all start laughing.

I’m glad this happened. If nothing else, it helped lift the mood and everyone’s spirits. It’s a memory I will carry with me moving forward, no matter what hardships we are soon to face.

Eventually, the booze runs dry, or maybe or desire to drink it does. The sun hangs low in the sky.

“We should get some sleep,” Neil says. “Big day tomorrow.”

The jovial mood has passed now, and everything feels a bit somber. One by one the brothers retire into the house. When Neil and I are last, I move to walk past him but he stops me.

“Chloe,” he says, his voice low.

I face him, just as he catches my cheek with his hand and presses his lips to mine once more.

This kiss is even more passionate than his last, as he licks into my mouth with a razor-edge desperation.

He steals my breath away, and my thoughts. When he pulls back it takes my thoughts a moment more to come back online.

“Neil?” I ask.

He quietly watches me. I feel like he wants to say something. That kiss alone felt like the start of something. I waited patiently for the rest of it.

“Come to my room tonight,” he says. “When everyone else is asleep.”

I imagine it, laying tangled in the sheets with Neil as he kisses and teases me until the wee hours of the morning. Gods, it would be amazing. I’m definitely tempted.

I lick my lips. He watches me.

“I have no reason to believe this is our last night alive. But on the off chance… I would spend my final night with you.”