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I clench my jaw, hating the idea instantly. “So, watch you prance around with Ro—”
“If this is going to work,” she cuts me off, “this fire and anger we seem to draw out in one another has to stop.”
“Okay,” I turn and lift my leg up onto the bed. “And when the summer comes to an end?”
“Pass the potatoes, baby.” She smiles gently. “See you at Thanksgiving.”
The way she says baby reminds me of all the times she used to say it to me in the heat of passion.
I tilt my head, doubtful that it’s going to be that easy. “Just like that, huh?”
She nods her head once, but I can tell she isn’t convinced.
“That’s playing hardball, Ellery.”
“Well,” she draws in a deep breath, “if anyone can play the game, it’s you, right All American?”
She may have anger and hurt to let go of, but there is more than just regret that I need to.
I want her. I’ve always wanted her. My body craves Ellery no matter our history, and I can’t just rub one out every time I think about her. My dick will be raw before the Fourth of July.
If we do this. If we find our way to some kind of middle ground, when the summer is over she will be my stepsister and that’s it. I’ll have to deal with whatever fucker is lucky enough to be with her, and there’s no way in hell I am going to be able to do that unless I no longer want her. I need to purge everything I feel about Ellery Magnolia Butler from my being, including my craving for her.
“What if we upped the ante?” I ask with a curious lilt.
She tilts her head, intrigued. “What do you mean?”
I lean in, the space between us dissolving as I get ready to throw her a curveball.
“The next time it’s just you and me, the same rules apply, but with a twist. You channel that southern grit and determination of yours and let whatever you’re feeling run its course.”
She shakes her head and looks at me, confused. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m saying, anger is one thing. But need,” I look her up and down, “that’s a whole other ballgame, Ellery. You can’t just let that shit go.”
Her eyes dart back and forth, as if she’s trying to determine if I’m joking or serious. “I don’t think—”
“Come on,” I cut off her impending protest. “There were two of us in that bathroom the other night and something tells me you need to let go of that part of us, too.”
I know she’s intrigued by what I’ve suggested because she doesn’t protest, but instead, asks a question instead. “When would it start?”
I can’t help but grin. “The next time we’re alone.”
“So, like now?”
“Yes.” I pull a pillow out from behind her and toss it to the floor as she falls back. “Right now.”
“Cruz…”
“Don’t question it.” I place one hand on her hip and the other by her head. “Whatever you’re feeling, just let it run its course.”
She licks her lips. “What if I’m not feeling anything?”
“I’d say you’re lying to both yourself and me.”
Moving my other hand to her neck, I cup it, and run my nose along the soft line of her jaw. Her breath hitches and she places a hand on my chest to keep her distance.
“Why were you at our beach with Royce today?” I whisper.
