The Pledge by Laura Ward, Christine Manzari

anyway.” She shrugged and ran the tip of her nail along her lip.
    The microwave chimed, and I pulled the steaming bag out, holding it up. “Want to watch a movie? Caz has a huge collection.”
    The smile that curved along her mouth made me wonder if she could read my mind. “Does he have any horror movies? They’re my favorite.”
    Sure they were.
    “Horror movies, huh?” I raised my eyebrows as I looked at her, and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I think we can find something for you.”
    Amanda grabbed my arm, curling her fingers around my bicep as I led her out of the kitchen and into the hallway. On the way down the hall, she leaned against me. I shook my head and smiled. Girls only liked horror movies for one reason, and I was totally on board with that reason.
    When we entered my room, Amanda took it upon herself to create a makeshift couch on my bed with pillows while I browsed through Caz’s immense Blu-ray collection.
    “Do you want an oldie but goodie or a new release?” I asked.
    Amanda came and leaned against me to peer over my shoulder. “Oooh. The Shining . I love that movie.”
    I raised my eyebrows in surprise as I tilted my head to look at her, but she’d moved away and was already crawling across the bed. She settled against the pillows, cradling the bag of popcorn in her lap. I smiled to myself and turned to put the movie into the player.
    “Turn off the lights,” she said when I stood up. She ran a piece of popcorn over her lower lip before eating it and licking the butter off her fingers.
    I like the way you think.
    The lights were out in seconds and I made my way over to the bed. I sat close to Amanda, spreading my arm across the pillow behind her. Five minutes into the movie, I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, and I reached into the bag of popcorn, which she had conveniently tucked between her knees. Her hand slipped into the bag at the same time, and she stroked my fingers with hers. As her fingers slid along mine, a thrill ran through me. All I could think about was her stroking me with that hand...
    “Are you comfortable?” I asked. I sure as hell wasn’t comfortable. My dick was already hard and I had zero interest in watching the movie.
    Smiling, she curled herself into my side and rested her hand on my stomach. “I am now.”
    She tilted her face toward mine, and I leaned down to kiss her. She tasted like butter and salt, and when she slid her tongue into my mouth, I groaned, hungry for more. She buried her hands in my hair, making small noises in the back of her throat.
    “You keep making noises like that,” I murmured against her lips, “and I’m going to come up with all sorts of ideas that don’t involve watching this movie.” I tilted her head back so I could lick and kiss her neck. She moaned when my lips touched her skin, and my pulse picked up speed.
    “That’s what I was hoping.” Her eyes closed and she held me close.
    Reaching for her hip, I pulled her into my lap so that she was straddling me. My hands cupped her tight ass and she rolled her hips into me, pressing our bodies close. Jesus. I was hard as a rock. I kissed down her throat and looked down between us where her legs were spread around me. Her skirt was hiked up so that I could just barely see her panties.
    I felt wild and I wanted her clothes off. I needed to be inside her.
    Amanda rocked her hips into me, and I groaned against her skin, nipping the curve of her neck with my teeth. She jumped back and squealed like she’d seen a mouse.
    My dick softened at the sound. Fucking traitor.
    “Alec! I’m ticklish.” Amanda slapped my arm, giggling. Then she pouted. “You need to lose this.” She tugged on the neck of my shirt.
    I reached behind my head and yanked it off, and then tossed it to the side. Her hands roamed over my chest as she leaned forward to kiss me again. She circled her hips, and the little moans she made sent an electric current straight up my spine. My eyes