Back to You(39)

So they had mingled a little bit as Lauren slowly sipped a beer, allowing her inhibitions to become slightly fuzzy, until eventually Jenn said it was time to make their move. They walked over to where Mark and a few of his friends were hanging out, and Jenn got the conversation going until Lauren and Mark were talking and laughing on their own.
At one point, Jenn leaned over and whispered in Lauren’s ear that Del had just gotten there, although Lauren had yet to see him. “Ask Mark if he wants to go talk somewhere else. He’ll get what you mean,” Jenn said before taking a step back and continuing her conversation with one of his friends.
And as soon as Lauren asked him, he smiled and nodded as he took her hand and walked her to the den.
She had to admit, Jenn knew her stuff.
They had sat on the couch with the door slightly ajar, talking for another few minutes, and then Mark leaned in and kissed her. As soon as he realized she was willing to kiss him back, he had gotten up and locked the door.
And now they were lying on their sides, facing each other on a wide, comfortable couch in the darkness as he continued to kiss her.
She liked the way he kissed, how soft his lips seemed. He was playful, alternating as she rested her head on his shoulder.g le between kissing her gently and kissing her passionately. It only took a few minutes of that before Lauren felt herself growing breathless.
But then they started to move past kissing. It wasn’t that it was unpleasant; it was just…weird. Maybe it wouldn’t have been if she hadn’t been so nervous.
His hands on her breasts were kind of nice, but when his hand ended up between her legs, it was awkward and a little uncomfortable.
And when she put her hand on him, she tried to do what she thought would feel good, but it was the first time she’d ever touched a boy like that. Her movements were kind of clumsy, and he ended up putting his hand around hers and guiding her until it was over.
And then he got up, turned on the lamp, cleaned himself up, and asked if she was ready to go back to the party.
As soon as they opened the door, Lauren found herself squinting against the brightness of the light in the house. She reached up and ran her hand through her hair, realizing it was a tangled mess, and she began combing through it with her fingers.
She looked up at Mark, and he winked down at her before he turned and walked back toward the party.
Lauren stood there, blinking against the light as she tried to spot Jenn in the crowd, when suddenly someone grabbed the top of her arm and spun her around.
“Are you okay?” Michael demanded.
“Jesus, you scared the hell out of me,” Lauren exhaled.
“Are you okay?” he repeated firmly, his hand still gripping her.
“I’m fine.”
“Did he do something to you?” he asked, his eyes darting back and forth between hers.
“Yes.”
In an instant, his eyes turned murderous as he straightened, releasing his grip on her as he turned to scan the party.
Lauren stuck out her chin. “But I wanted him to. I liked it.” It wasn’t entirely true, but for all intents and purposes, it seemed fitting.
His eyes flashed back to hers. “Lauren, what the hell did you do?”
Her stomach turned uneasily. He never called her Lauren. Ever.
And in that moment, she began to second-guess her decision to take Jenn’s advice. She felt the bravado leave her body. “Not that. Not what you’re thinking,” she said meekly.
His eyes softened ever so slightly, but Lauren could tell by the set of his jaw that he was still fighting to keep calm. “Mark Valero?” he nearly hissed at her. “I don’t get it. I’ve never seen you talk to him. You never even talk about him. Since when are you interested in this kid?”
Lauren shrugged. “Since tonight, I guess.”
He studied her for a moment before he asked, “How much have you had to drink?”
“Not that much,” she said, feeling more and more regretful as the seconds passed.
Michael shook his head before he turned to scan the party once more. Lauren followed his gaze to where Mark was standing with his friends. He bumped fists with one of them before another handed him a beer, and then a third came up behind him, clapping him on the back and saying something in his ear that made both boys laugh.
“And now he’s done with you?” Michael said angrily, whipping back toward Lauren so suddenly that she flinched. “He’s just gonna go back her stomach"> shoulderto the party? He can’t even hang out with you for a little bit?”
Lauren bit her lip and looked down. When he put it that way, she couldn’t help but feel kind of stupid.
“Good choice,” he added, his voice livid. “Brilliant pick. He seems like a real f*cking class act.”