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Donovan
Bringing Sue to the art show at the museum has to be one of the most idiotic ideas that I’ve ever had. Knowing Mara was taking Harry had pushed me in to finding someone as a date when really I should have gone alone. But being around Mara isn’t something I’m able to handle alone any more. Every day my will to stay away from her is slowly disappearing.
Mara is my best friends sister. And to make it worse, she is seven years my junior. But she’s the only girl ever to get under my skin—a place she’s been for a couple of years now.
Reece would be on me in two seconds flat if I ever made a move on his baby sister. I’ve always been around Reece and his sisters, but it was Mara’s sixteenth birthday when she’d literally knocked the breath out of me. That was the day everything between us started to become awkward. As a result, I gradually spent less and less time at Reece’s house just to avoid Mara.
At the time I’d freaked because of the age difference between us. So not right. Even now I can’t decide which bothers me the most; the age difference or that she’s Reece’s sister.
After dropping Sue off at her place, I’m now sitting in my truck outside Mara’s apartment building—my old apartment. Sue hadn’t been happy with me dumping her at home and leaving. She’d made it clear that I could have everything else…but that wasn’t on the cards. Boy, was she pissed when she discovered this little fact. My only thought was to get back to Mara to make sure she’s okay. The look on her face when Sue called her a bitch is on a loop in my head, which is why I’m sitting here trying to decide whether or not to go inside. If I do, Reece isn’t going to be too happy to see me there, checking on his sister, but at the same time I’m not going to settle until I’ve seen her for myself.
Climbing out from behind the wheel, I slowly head into the building using the key I still have.
The scent of fresh paint burns my nose and I grunt in displeasure. I hate the smell but I have to admit that the pale yellow walls and white trim is exactly what the building needed. The building only has four stories with Reece, Callie and Mara being on the third. Pushing my way through the door that leads to the stairwell, I notice these walls have been repainted white, making it seem so much lighter than the previous color of brown did. I always used to hate walking up these stairs—damn depressing.
Walking out on the third floor to another freshly painted hallway, I lift my head and freeze. Mara has her back against the wall to the side of the door with Harry standing in front of her—not an inch between the two of them.
That is so not fuckin’ happening!
“What’s going on?” I demand, my voice tight with anger.
Mara and Harry both turn their heads and watch as I walk closer to them. Harry swallows a few times and starts that nervous twitch he has going on with his fingers. Ignoring him, I meet Mara’s stare and watch as for a split second her eyes light up with hope before the light goes out.
I’m not stupid and know she’s attracted to me—this isn’t me being vain either. A few weeks ago I’d had her in my arms after she’d had a run in with Reece and I’d felt her quiver against me. I’d wanted nothing more than to pick her up and carry her into my bedroom, but I hadn’t. When she was back home in Alabama I had peace, but now, I constantly have to sit back and watch her with other guys who wanted one thing from her. I have a feeling though that Harry wants more than to get into her little panties, and that’s killing me. If I continue pushing her away she’s going to end up with someone like him. That should make me happy for her, except the thought of her being with someone else tears me in two. So I guess I’m not there yet, and I’m not sure I ever will be.
“You going to speak or stand there glaring at me all night?” Mara asks, stepping away from Harry.
Rubbing my forehead, I look between the two of them and smile inwardly when Harry starts to edge toward the stairwell.
“I’ll call you tomorrow, Mara. Bye.” Harry hesitates, his gaze sweeping towards me before he quickly runs back to her. After giving her a quick kiss, he heads towards the stairs, leaving me alone with her. With my girl. Fuck!
“Where’s you’re date?” Mara asks as she crosses her arms, which pushes her breasts up making her cleavage deeper.
I bite back a groan, and answer, “She’s back at her apartment.” I take a step closer. “My only thought was to check on you. Are you okay?”
After a second or two of silence, she nods. “Yeah. I’m okay.”
I hear what she’s saying, but I really don’t believe her because she won’t meet my eyes.
“Mara,” I step into her space, “don’t lie to me. I’ve known you for years and I know when you’re lying.”
When she finally meets my gaze, I watch as a lone tears slips down her face and I long to wipe it away. She lo
oks everywhere, her gaze going back to some unseen hurt. “I was looking forward to the show tonight, but…you showed up with her, and then, well, I just wanted to be home.”
Showing up tonight with Sue had been self preservation if I’m totally honest, and knowing I hurt Mara and made her sad when she should have been having a good time is like a kick to the gut. Unable to keep my hands to myself any longer, I reach out and taking hold of her arms, I pull her into mine.
She buries her face into my chest as I wrap my arms tightly around her, holding her against me. Seeing her upset hurts—it hurts a lot.
“Mara, babe.” I slide my fingers through her dark curls and hold her face against me as I bend my head and rest my mouth against the top of her head. Mara’s hair smells of fresh flowers and I breathe it in deeply as I kiss the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I only brought her with me to stop me from getting closer to you…but here we are.”
Mara lifts her tear stained face—her eyes questioning. I cup her face in my hands and use my thumbs to brush them away. Without thinking, I bend and kiss her cheek to catch a wayward tear. She inhales as I freeze. I shouldn’t have done that!
Our lips are mere inches apart; my heart feels like it’s about to explode through my chest. I want nothing more than to close the gap between us, to finally taste her. Instead, I push her away from me and clear my throat.
I brush the loose hair behind her ear before pulling my hand back and shoving it in to my pocket. “Go inside Mara, and I’ll see you later.” I need to learn to keep my hands to myself.
“Why?” she asks.
