I'm at a loss for words.Years? What does he mean,years? What? No, no. Focus, Daisy, focus. “We’re gonna talk about what that means later. My question was…why? Why did you read about it?”
He holds my hands and softens his features, smiling at me. “Because it’s a part of who you are. Why do you think I always order the broccoli salad?”
I give him a once-over and furrow my brows. “I thought you liked it?”
“Broccoli helps with hormone balancing. I asked Ms. Kim about the ingredients and asked if she could start adding apple cider vinegar, which also helps. She thinks it’s for me because I didn’t want to talk about your business with everyone, but yeah, that’s why.”
I’m dumbfounded. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“It’s not that hard. I care about you, Daze. All of you. If I can do anything to help, I’m going to do it.” His hand comes to my cheek with a half-smile painted on his face.
“Well, nobody has ever done that or anything like it. I…” I pause to think about whether I want to say this. Do I want to be this vulnerable with him while his beard is still coated with me? But this is Mateo.My Mateo.My best friend. My everything. And he…what? Also wants me?
“Just say it. Whatever it is. I’m here.”
Alright, Daisy, big girl pants on. Boss babe attitude. Just tell him. “I actually have never had someone understand how I’m not all wet and shit, the way movies and books describe women when they’re aroused. I usually carry lube with me everywhere I go. And for you…it was just so…I don’t know.”
“Normal? Compassionate? Hot?”
“Teo,” I whisper. “ I don’t think you understand.”
“No, I don’t thinkyouunderstand, Daisy girl. Do youknow for how long I’ve dreamed of kissing you? Of touching you? Of hearing you whisper my name like that? All breathy and spent?” The intensity behind his gaze is making me quiver where I stand.
He continues. “Years. Not days, not months, years. It never felt like the right place or the right time. It’s still scary as shit, because our friendship is the most valuable thing to me. I would never do anything to jeopardize it.” He holds my face again, and I lean in to his touch.
“But baby, making you feel good, helping you feel good, has been a priority all my life. I’m just glad I could show you other ways I can make that happen.”
I gasp.
“All I want to know is if you feel the same way.” Not only is this man bringing everything out in the open, leaving no doubt in my mind about his feelings, but he’s also terrified that they might not be reciprocated. I can see it—the fear behind his eyes. I try to open my mouth to tell him, but he raises his hand. “Because if you don’t and you just got carried away on this trip, that’s fine too. I will continue fantasizing about you instead, but I need to keep you. Your friendship is mine, and I won’t risk it. So whatever I?—”
I crash my lips to his, tasting mint and something tangy I’m assuming is me. I explore his lips the way he explored mine earlier and letting him know without words exactly how I feel. Did I wish upon a star or something? Because this, right here, are dreams coming true. He backs me against the wall, pinning me in place with his body, just like earlier. And I see stars. This time behind my eyes and not in the nighttime sky.
He’s hard against me again, or maybe still. I didn’t take care of him. I cup his hard dick in my hand, and he moans against my lips.
Well, fuck me sideways. That’s hot.
“I want this so bad, but I’m all sandy, sweaty, and gross,” I whisper against his lips.
“We can fix that. Lift your arms for me,” he says. I do, no questions asked, but it’s not until he lowers the zipper that I realize what’s happening.
“Paid attention to where that zipper was much?” I mention between giggles.
He drags my dress off my shoulders and helps me step out. His eyes flare when he sees my body completely exposed, considering he ripped my panties off. That just became a core memory, one I will never forget.
“I memorize everything about you. I always need material for my dreams. I wish I knew how to draw so I can repeat each image and keep you forever, but my memory will have to suffice in the meantime.”
“The fuck? You’ve always had this smooth-ass talk hiding behind the cordial talk and the pretty, beard-covered smiles?”
“I’ve been saying all my truths for years. You just brushed them off as me joking around.”
I hold his gaze, searching for a lie I won’t find. I replay a thousand little moments when she showed me the truth, and I just ignored it. I know deep down that he’s always been mine. I just needed to listen. He rakes his pretty brown eyes all over my body, igniting every inch of my skin without a single touch while he stands there all smug and looking fantastic with his light blue suit and his white shirt barely buttoned up.
“You know it really isn’t fair that I have no clothes on and you have all that.”
“Do you want to see me naked, Daisy girl?”
“Please,” I plead, and he smiles wickedly.
