FERRY-LOVE-BOAT

Chapter 20

-It's not fair, it's not a challenge just for me. - I argued back.

-Oh, and was licking Emmett's foot a challenge just for me? - Vic said back, remembering the challenge I had chosen for her a few rounds ago.

-It's different. - I tried again.

-That's right, the challenge you proposed was much more disgusting. - She gestured, indignant with my attitude.

-I don't mind. - Carina shrugged beside me.

-Forget it. - I rolled my eyes and swallowed the shot that was in my hands.

The liquid burned as it went down my throat, the rapid movement of my head as I swallowed the shot made me a little dizzy, and as soon as my head stopped spinning, I let out a heavy sigh.

-Carina to Emmett! - Andy announced.

But I wasn't paying attention. I was beating myself up for passing up the biggest opportunity I'd ever had to finally do what I so desperately desired, but I still didn't regret my choice. I couldn't just kiss Carina in front of all my friends.

-I'm going to get a glass of water. - Carina announced.

-Let's take a break! - Andy said. - I have to go to the bathroom!

-Me too! - Vic jumped up from her chair.

-Me too! - Travis tried to stand up quickly but got dizzy and ended up falling onto Emmett's lap, who was drunk and uninhibited enough to pull his boyfriend's face to his and start kissing him.

-Okay. - I mumbled, slapping my own thighs briefly as I stood up, I wouldn't stand there to witness that scene.

Vic was banging frantically against the bathroom door asking Andy to hurry up and the woman shouted back that she had just walked in, the scene made me laugh, but I decided to go to the kitchen and do the same as Carina.

-Are you okay? -I asked.

-Drunk. - Carina pointed to her own face. - And hurt.

-Hurt? Where did you hurt yourself? - I asked back, taking a step closer to her, scanning her body for blood or anything that might indicate a bruise.

-My ego is hurt. - She clarified.

-And why is that? - I asked back, laughing and reaching for a glass to fill with water, being grateful for my high tolerance for liquor.

-Because you said you didn't want to kiss me. - She said back, a pout too cute for her own good was on her lips.

-I never said that. - I said in response, taking a few sips of water.

Carina was definitely drunker than I was, her eyes were no longer as open, her smile was still charming, but definitely more relaxed than usual and the effects of the drinking could be seen in her movements.

-Vic asked you to kiss me, and you didn't want to. - She insisted.

-Carina, you're too drunk to have this conversation. - I laughed again, but this time out of nervousness.

-I'm not. - She crossed her arms against her chest.

-Yes, you are. - I insisted and brought my hand to her face, stroked her cheek gently, and she closed her eyes and tilted her head toward my hand, surrendering to my touch. It was getting harder and harder to control myself and stop myself from kissing Carina at that very moment.

-Why didn't you kiss me? - She asked as I analyzed her face.

Her parted lips and closed eyes were a silent invitation - one that I so deeply wanted to accept - and after placing the glass on the counter beside me, I took another step closer and let my other hand go to her hip. She was slim, her hip bone pressed against my palm, but her body had all the most perfect and necessary curves, and my hands desperately wanted to travel through each one of them.

-Carina... - I whispered her name and she opened her eyes to look directly into mine. Her arms uncrossed and now rested loosely at both sides of her body. - If I ever kiss you, it will be because we both chose to do so and not because of some stupid game.

Carina shifted her eyes to my lips, leaning her face toward me, our noses brushed briefly, but she didn't close the distance. Our breaths mingled and the proximity was delicious – and torturous – and made my body shiver as my mouth tingled with the desire to kiss her.

-If I ever taste you, I want you to be sober enough to remember it the next day. - I whispered, still so torturously close to her face.

-Do you want to kiss me? - She asked softly, nuzzling her nose against mine.

-Maybe. - I replied in a joking tone and laughed softly. I lifted my face and kissed the tip of her nose. - Just so you don't end the night without a kiss from me.

I then stepped away and gestured to the glass of water she had left half empty - it was important that she hydrated herself so that the hangover wouldn't be so brutal the next day - and Carina brought it to her lips drinking all the remaining water as if the liquid was the salvation to the fire that I hoped she was also feeling inside.

-We're going home! - Travis spoke up, walking into the kitchen, his face red and some of the buttons on his shirt already undone. Emmett followed, his hair in disarray.

-Enjoy! - Carina laughed beside me.

-Vic, Andy... We're going! - Travis shouted.

-Oh, we're coming with you! - Vic yelled back, opening the bathroom door.

Andy was waiting for her in the hallway, the two girls joined the men, and we exchanged a few hugs and kisses before Travis yelled from the hallway that the car he had requested was already arriving.

-Bye, Italian goddess! - Travis shouted as the elevator doors closed.

-Bye, Travis! - Carina shouted back in between giggles.

I closed the apartment door and when I turned around, I saw Carina already looking for her own things.

-Hey, have you seen my phone? - She asked, lifting a cushion from the sofa. - I need to get an uber.

- There's a lot of tequila inside you right now. I don't feel comfortable letting you take an uber in the middle of the night, all alone, after drinking so much. - I confessed, crossing my arms against my chest.

-It's only a few blocks away. - She continued to look for the device.

-Many things can happen during an "a few blocks drive", Carina. - I insisted. - I have a guest room, you can sleep there and tomorrow you can wake up early and get home in time for work.

-I don't work tomorrow. - She said back, now on her knees in front of the sofa, leaning her body forward and trying to see something underneath it.

The sight in front of me was tempting and provocative, her ass was way up, appetizing, and I wanted to get closer, to lift the blouse she was wearing and watch her back while she was in that position. I wanted to run my fingers down the length of her spine and pull her waist until her ass was grinding against my front in a wonderful friction. I wanted to hear her moan as I rubbed my hands down the back of her thighs, moving my fingers up the inner side of her legs in search of her center, rubbing my short nails over her skin to tease her.

-It's over there, on the kitchen counter. - I pointed to the device when I snapped out of my thoughts as she got back on her knees. Carina soon turned around to see where I was pointing to. - I noticed it just now.