RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 55: FRIDA -

Dinner ended faster than it began, the air thick with warmth and an unspoken sentimentality.

The long wooden table was scattered with remnants of Thanksgiving, a golden-brown turkey, its carcass picked apart, half-eaten stuffing, cranberry sauce smeared across plates, and empty wine glasses reflecting the soft glow of the chandelier above.

The scent of roasted herbs and spiced pumpkin lingered in the air, wrapping the room in a cozy embrace.

Maybe it was the family atmosphere, but Frida found herself sparing glances at Laz. It was ridiculous, the way her eyes kept dragging back to him, but she couldn’t help it.

There was something odd in his back pocket. A thin, red edge barely peeking out. It gnawed at her curiosity, setting her on edge.

Was it a note?

A game?

A warning?

Her fingers twitched with the need to snatch it away.

She told herself it was nothing. A stupid joke. But the more she stared, the deeper she fell into wondering.

Leo cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.

The atmosphere was far too charged, too affectionate.

Everyone was paired up. Mike had brought his so-called "friend," a girl so pretty it was laughable that they were just that.

Leon sat next to his friend Samuel, but the way he kept glancing at Samuel’s lips told a different story.

Frida’s parents whispered and giggled together, lost in their own world, and Laurel was engaged in deep conversation with John, completely absorbed.

It was awkward, being the odd one out, even more so with Laz sitting directly across from her.

Why did he always sit opposite her?

Then, as if to torment her further, he took a shell from his seafood platter, brought it to his lips, and sucked.

The sound was obscene.

The way his throat bobbed as he swallowed? Worse.

Her thighs clamped shut instinctively, heat flooding her as her gaze followed the movement.

Lord help her.

"Let’s play Spin the Bottle," Leon suddenly announced, shattering the tension.

Frida jumped at the suggestion. Perfect. A distraction.

Anything to keep her from fixating on Laz’s lips and how they curled around a goddamn oyster.

Did becoming friends with him make him hotter?

Or was it the way he had handled their recent tension with such calm maturity? freewebnσvel.cѳm

It was messing with her, twisting something deep inside her chest.

"Is there something on my mouth?" Laz’s voice was a low hum, dragging her thoughts back to the present.

Her eyes snapped up to meet his, feigning innocence. Right. They were just friends now.

She rubbed her palms against her thighs. "Um, a crumb?"

He pointed to his lip. "Here?"

Her breath hitched. Then he leaned forward, his grey eyes locked onto hers. "Wanna get it for me?"

If grey eyes could melt skin, she’d be a puddle.

"Laz! Frida! You coming?" Leon called.

Frida bolted out of her seat, practically running after him.

"You kids have fun!" Laurel waved them off.

They sat in a circle, the bottle at the center like a loaded gun. Frida barely managed a high-pitched, "Yes, yes," already regretting this.

The first spin landed on Danny. Leo smirked and leaned in, capturing him in a deep kiss that changed the entire atmosphere.

The tension thickened, turning sultry. The bottle was avoiding her, thank God, but she didn’t dare look at Laz.

Leo and Danny stole every opportunity to kiss, leaving the rest of them as spectators. Even Mike groaned. "If y’all wanted to make out, just go to your room!"

Leo chuckled, dragging his thumb over Danny’s swollen lip. "You call this a make-out session? I’m just prepping him."

Frida swallowed a silent prayer as the bottle spun again, landing on Mike. He smirked, eager for Leo’s dare.

When he took the shy girl into a room for five seconds, they emerged with her face burning and a hickey blooming on her neck.

So fast.

And then, as if sensing her dread, the bottle landed on her.

Danny clapped like an excited fangirl. "Finally!" He rubbed his hands together, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Truth or dare?"

No way was she saying truth. They’d ask her if she liked Laz, and she wasn’t prepared to answer that.

"Dare."

Danny’s smirk widened. "I dare you to seductively stand up, straddle Laz, run your hands up his body from his waist to his neck, and tug at his hair. All while holding eye contact. For thirty seconds. Without kissing."

He high-fived Leo, and Frida shot them a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "What if I say no?"

"Then you’ll do all the dishes tonight." Danny grinned devilishly.

Frida cringed at the thought of the mountain of dishes in the sink. Oh, hell no.

"And if we fail?" Laz asked, his voice almost amused.

"You’ll still do the dishes," Danny sang, a devil making a deal.

Frida’s heart slammed against her ribs.

We?

Was Laz considering kissing her?

Panic surged through her, but her body, the traitor, was already reacting.

She slowly rose from the carpet.

"Seductively slow," Danny reminded her.

She swallowed hard, locking eyes with Laz. Every step she took felt exaggerated, the sway of her hips deliberate.

There was nothing remotely sexy about her oversized Minnie Mouse pajamas and fluffy bunny slippers, yet the way he devoured her with his gaze made her feel like the sexiest woman in the world.

As she lowered herself onto his lap, the air between them thickened. His grey eyes darkened to an almost dangerous black.

Her fingers trembled as they traced over his abs, the thin fabric of his polo shirt doing nothing to hide the hard muscle beneath.

Her other hand trailed over his biceps, feeling the flex of them beneath her touch.

Their breaths mingled, hot and shallow. Her palm slid up his muscled back, trailing up his neck, fingers tangling in the soft strands of his hair.

The world blurred around them.

Danny’s voice was a distant hum. "The self-control they have not to kiss!"

Her touch made Laz shudder, and the knowledge that she could do that to him sent a thrill down her spine.

She was selfishly enjoying herself, relishing in his reaction.

Then, with a smirk, she placed the red note between her teeth.

In bold letters, it read: GOTCHA!

Laz’s gaze flickered down to it, then back up. The molten passion in his eyes shifted, darkening into something deeper.

Something foreign.

Something terrifyingly irresistible.

His voice rumbled low, a vibration against her thighs.

"Well, it’s about time."