Aspen freed herself from his hold, hopped onto one of the barstools, and patted the one next to her. Without waiting for Mahari, she flagged the bartender down to order. While they waited, Aspen closed her eyes and danced in her seat. The burning sensation coming from beside her was one she was far too familiar with. There was a certain way that Mahari stared at her that caused heat to travel throughout her body like a furnace.
Knowing she was putting on a show for him, Aspen opened her eyes and winked at Mahari as she wound her hips like she was riding a dick.
Mahari leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Stop fuckin’ playing with me, Bunny. We’re friends and all, but you’re skating on thin ice.”
“How so?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what you’re doing. The way you’re looking at me . . . The way you’re moving your body . . .”
Aspen moaned when Mahari squeezed her exposed upper thigh. She did know exactly what she was doing. Desire fueled her body. The romance in her love life was lacking, and she had the urge to feel something different,someonedifferent. That someone just so happened to be her best friend.
The bartender interrupted their intense moment by setting their shots and drinks down. Simultaneously, they picked up their shots, toasted, and threw them back.
“Have you ever thought about it, Mahari?” Aspen asked with her tongue wrapped around her straw.
“Thought about what?”
“What it would be like if we tested our chemistry?”
“Must I remind you that you’re playing a dangerous game, Aspen.” Mahari sipped his drink.
“If you’re thinking about Lance, you can stop.” Aspen looked back at their section to see Lance all in one girl’s face. They were so close that they could inch forward and kiss. Aspen could only imagine what was going on, but deep down, she didn’t care. She was on a mission of her own, one she wanted to see through. If Lance could have fun, why couldn’t she just one time? Reverting her attention to Mahari, Aspen continued. “He’s not thinking about me or you. He’s thinking about his needs, and I’m thinking about mine. You’re the only person I trust with me like that, Mahari. It can be our secret.”
To Aspen, some secrets were worth keeping, and when Mahari led her out the club, hand in hand, she knew he felt the same.
That night had been hazy but memorable for Aspen. When she woke up the next morning, and Mahari wasn’t there, she was surprised she didn’t feel any regret. The soreness between her legs was an indicator it was all worth it.
Neither of them had spoken of that night. They continued as if it never happened, but now, Aspen was regretting it. She didn’t regret having sex with Mahari. She regretted them not speaking on the possibility of the twins being his before then.
Finding her voice, Aspen inquired, “What do you want to do about it?”
“Get a DNA test.”
“When?”
“At your next appointment.”
“I’m fine with that.” Aspen agreed without hesitation and inwardly groaned. “Why do we live this way, Mahari?”
“What way?”
“We avoid things when it comes to each other, which probably isn’t the best thing to do considering our circumstances.”
“Let’s make a promise from here on out to handle things differently, to not live in fear of what life could be for us or of what others think.”
Mahari held his pinky out, and Aspen latched hers with his. They both kissed their knuckles then one another. Since it was getting late, they headed back to the car so Mahari could take Aspen home.
Being with Mahari meant Aspen didn’t pay attention to certain things, mainly her phone. She loved giving him her all, so she’d left her phone in the car. Imagine her surprise seeing a text from Lance.
I miss you, Aspen. This house doesn’t feel like a home with you being gone. How can I fix this?
Lance reaching out wasn’t on Aspen’s bingo card. One thing she couldn’t deny was the emotions she felt as she reread the text numerous times. While Aspen believed she would be crazy to go back to him, she couldn’t act as if she didn’t miss Lance.
Stuck between cousins.
How did she get in such a heavy predicament?
“Hey, my baby.”Jaxen greeted Mahari with a kiss to his cheek as he walked over the threshold to his childhood home.
