When Max signaled us all to the screening room and Abbie still hadn’t shown up, I started to worry she wasn’t coming. I checked my phone, but still nothing. Just in case, I left the seat on my right open. Unfortunately, Jasper sat on the other side of that open seat.

The constant edginess was starting to drive me slowly mad. But when I heard the trudging of feet on the stairs and the feminine voices, I started to relax.

Sophie took the short stairs to join Max at the back, and I made a mental note not to look toward the back of the room for the rest of the movie. I wouldn’t want to have to wash my eyes out with bleach.

Faith bounded up to the middle row to sit between one of Max’s best friends and model buds, Angel, and the newest model staying in the house, Tony. Jasper leaned over and whispered, “Tough break, mate.”

I reminded myself that hitting my friend would not be a good call. Since Nick sat on the other end of their row, that left the only vacant seat between me and Jasper.

Abbie's steps halted when she looked around, and her gaze met mine. Her tentative smile turned rueful when she spotted her other neighbor.

“Hi, Alexi.” Her voice was low, seductive. “It's nice to see you again.”

I almost groaned. Last time I'd heard that voice, she'd been standing on the precipice of an orgasm. To Jasper she said only, “I trust you can keep your hands to yourself.”

Jasper’s laugh was rich and mellow. “Now what fun would that be?”

I clenched and unclenched my hands. Maybe hitting Jasper wouldn’t be a bad idea after all.

“Jasper, behave please, or I'll make Faith switch places with me.”

He whispered back, “I bet that would make someone happy.”

She glanced at me questioningly, but then sat between the two of us. Immediately, Jasper placed his hand on the arm rest palm up.

Amateur.

I had already shoved up the arm rest between our seats, so I had no need for conspicuous declarations. At the same time, it meant accidental touching was entirely possible. Sadly though, if I took her hand, Jasper would definitely see, and our little secret would be out.

It was the best I could do. I had no choice but to sit there with less than two inches separating us and not touch her. As the movie played, electricity crackled around between us. I almost worried that any shift in the air would light a spark that would incinerate us both.

Unable to do much else but will her to touch me, I sat perfectly still, breathing evenly, only occasionally sliding my glance toward her. The muscle over her jaw worked like she was grinding her teeth, and her body was tight and rigid.