Meet Me in the Penalty Box (Orchid City, #1)

by Cali Melle

“I want to take you out to dinner. No strings attached. Just two friends having dinner.”

“Oh. Are we friends now?” Her tone was light and a ghost of a smile played on her lips. I nodded. “The best of friends.” “Well, in that case, I suppose it would be rude of me to say no.”

“Just di...

“I just want to feed you. Nothing more.” I paused. “Not physically feed you, although I w...

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that and just let you buy me dinner.”

“Get in my car,” I told her as I stepped away and made my way to the driver’s side. “I know of a place nearby.” “What about my car?”

“Would you feel better if we drove separately?” Harper nodded. “Don’t want you to get any ideas,” she admitted with a wink. “I would never,” I scoffed, attempting to feign innocence. “Yeah, right.” She pulled open her door. “You lead the way and I’ll follow.”

And it was the half I had just won.

“You know, the place where you bring the girls you seduce to kill them.”

“Jesus, Harper. What kind of a person do you think I am?”

“You give me too much credit. I usually just kill them where I find them and dump their body somewhere along the drive home.”

“I’m kidding,”

“Come on. We’re going to be late.” “You made a reservation?”

as I looked over at Nico. I took a moment to study his features. His jaw was sharp and his nose was perfectly straight. His cheekbones were high, creating the illusion that his face was a perfectly sculpted masterpiece. I watched as his tongue slid out and he ran it over the cut in his bottom lip. Holy shit.

My stomach felt warm and I clenched my thighs together. I never thought something like that would turn me on the way it did. I needed to flip the switch off but I couldn’t seem to find it. Instead, my breath caught in my throat and I let out a choking sound. Nico glanced at me with a look of curiosity. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I nodded and attempted to clear my throat. “W...

A frown pulled my lips downward and I stared down at the menu in front of me as I tried to push the thoughts from my mind. My stomach rolled as I felt uncomfortable sitting here with him.

“What was that?” Nico inquired with curiosity as he scooted closer. “What just happened?”

“Hi.”

“I’m Alaina. Can I get either of you anything to drink? Or maybe an appetizer?” “I’ll take an old fashioned,”

“I’ll take a mojito, please.” Nico stared at me and I couldn’t quite read the expression on his face. “Perfect.” Alaina grinned. “I’ll be right back with your drinks. Would you like to put in an appetizer or anything?”

“We’re good,” he told her, still with his gaze cemented to mine. Alaina left with the promise of returning soon with our drinks.

“It was nothing,” I told him, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue.

“Don’t lie to me, pretty girl,”

“You don’t want to find out what happens if you misbehave.” He ran his own tongue over the cut on his botto...

My hand shook as I filled my glass in a haste and swallowed some of the water in a rush. “Try again, Harper.” I turned back to look at him. “I was wondering who you came here with before, considering it is such an intimate setting.”

“Why is that?” “Because I would assume it wasn’t just a friend.” “Are you jealous, Harper Jensen?” he challenged me. I glowered at him. “How do you know my last name?”

“I have my...

“Now answer my qu...

“I’m not je...

“Then ask me who I came here with.”

A part of me wanted to know. I never once considered the fact that maybe he was seeing someone. I should have turned him down in the parking lot. I shouldn’t be here with him. “Ask me.”

“Who did you come here with?”

“My sister, Giana.” She disappeared without another word, clearly reading the room, and I was thankful for that.

Nico slid his hand under my chin and pulled my face back to look at him. His eyes danced under the lights and he leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he whispered. “I like you jealous.” He slowly pulled away and grabbed his drink. I watched how his lips kissed the rim of the glass and the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed the liquor.

“Tell me about you, Harper. What makes you smile. What pisses you off.”

“Why do you want to know?” “Because I want to know.”

them. “I want to know how to keep that beautiful smile on your lips. I want to know what to avoid so I don’t ever piss you off… unless I’m intentionally trying to.”

😍😍❤⭐

“I don’t know why you’ve taken such an interest in me. We had one night together—barely, if we’re being honest. You could have anyone you want, yet you’re chasing after the one you can’t have.” “See, that’s the thing, love,”

“You say I can’t have you, but that’s where you’re wrong. I can have you anywhere I want.” His hand was on my thigh. I could feel the warmth of his palm through my leggings. My heart was skipping beats. “I promise no one will ever kno...

“How can you be so sure?” I breathed as my heart pounded erratically in my chest. ...

“You’re right, I can’t. But I will do everything in my fucking power to make sure...

“Tell me you don’t want me, Harper, and I promise I’ll...

“I don’t want you,” I whispered, my voice sticking like there was peanut butter in my throat. His lips twitched. “If you’re going to lie to me, love, at least make it believable.” His tongue slid out as he wet his lips. He slid his hands between my thighs, his fingers brushed against my pussy.

“I’ll give you one more try to convince me that you don’t want me.”

A shiver slid down my spine and he slowly circled his thumb around my clit. Even through two layers of clothing, he had no problem finding it. I shifted under his touch, wanting to get away from him because I didn’t want him to have that satisfaction, yet ...

He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and my eyes droppe...

He continued to work his thumb against me and I didn’t try to stop him. I didn’t want him to stop. My body was on fire, simultaneously tingling and th...

“You’re a terrible liar...