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Things between Ant and I haven’t been the same since our conversation in the truck a week ago. I mean, everything is pretty much as it was, but now everything feels a bit... well, more than it did.
When we used to snuggle, even though deep down I knew I wanted it to mean something, I had convinced myself it didn’t. Now I know it does. When he would hug me or drop his arm over my shoulder, I would tell myself it was just Ant being Ant. Now I know it’s because he wants to hold me as much as I want him to. Every touch feels purposeful now, like it means so much more than it did just seven days ago.
And while we have yet to really discuss what we talked about in the truck in any great detail beyond that night, there seems to be an understanding that exists between us. Like we both know we want the same thing, and he’s giving me the time and space to do it my way.
“Hey, Bree.” I jump when Ant appears in the doorway of my bedroom, my eyes instantly drawn to his bare torso.
“I really wish you would put on some clothes when you’re walking around the house,” I say seriously, but I know my smile tells him the truth behind my statement.
It’s hard for me to keep my thoughts straight when I’m forced to look at his sexy as sin body every time I turn around.
“Now why would I do that?” He grins knowingly, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans against the door frame.
“You’re impossible.” I shake my head, turning my attention back to the pile of laundry on my bed.
“The same can be said for you.” I can feel him walking toward me, but I continue to sort through the clean clothes rather than look at him. “Walking around in these little things all the time.” He stops directly behind me and gently trails his hand up my outer thigh, gesturing to my fitted shorts.
I swear to God my entire body explodes in a wave of heat, and I have to physically force myself to keep breathing and not give into the sudden desire that has settled deep in my belly.
“How do you think that makes me feel?” He stops on my hip bone, giving it a firm squeeze, his breath hot on the back of my neck.
“I think I can use my imagination,” I say, well aware of how breathy my voice suddenly sounds.
I’m seconds away from turning in his arms and giving into the sexual tension that’s been building between us at an unstoppable rate for days, but quickly snap out of my lust-induced fog when the doorbell rings unexpectedly.
I jump, startled by the sound, and immediately sidestep out of Ant’s towering presence, thankful for the reprieve. The more time that passes, the less I trust myself around him. And that is not a good thing.
“I wonder who that could be.” I toss the towel in my hand on the bed and quickly exit the room, Ant following a few feet behind.
Unfortunately, my apartment building doesn’t believe in peepholes, and since I don’t have a window that looks out into the hallway, I have no way of knowing who it is until I’ve pulled the door open.
Like being dropped from the top of a tall building, the second my eyes land on Courtney all the air is forced from my body, and it feels like my insides are all bunched together in my chest.
“Court.” I snap out of my haze just as she squeals and pulls me into her arms.
“Oh my God, it’s so fucking good to see you.” She squeezes me so tight it’s borderline painful before she finally pulls back, her eyes landing on the man standing in the living room behind me.
“Ant?” she questions. “What are you doing here?” I watch her eyes trace down his bare torso.
Courtney looks even more beautiful than the last time I saw her, which was at Tess’ graduation party this past June. How is it she gets prettier every time I see her, and why has this never bothered me before now? Of course, I already know the answer to this, and as I watch the silent interaction between Court and Ant, insecurity nestles deep in my gut.
“Hey, Court,” Ant says casually, like this is just any other occurrence. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” she says, still a bit in shock as her eyes dart to me again, confusion clear on her pretty face.
“Ant’s been staying with Jack and me for a couple weeks while he waits to close on his new apartment.”
“Oh,” she says, clearly surprised by this news.
A long, awkward silence stretches between the three of us before Ant clears his throat and finally speaks again.
“Well, I’m gonna go get dressed and let you two ladies catch up. I’ve got to run to the office for a bit this afternoon.”
“Okay,” I say, waiting until Courtney steps fully into the room before taking her bag and closing the door behind her.
I wait until I know Anthony is out of earshot before turning back toward her. “Sorry, I didn’t know when you were coming. I guess a heads up about Ant would’ve been nice.”
“Um, you think?” She fans herself, pushing her long dark hair over her shoulders like she’s suddenly burning up. “Holy shit, Bree. That was not the sight I expected to see when I knocked on your door.”
