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I take her face in my hands and press my forehead to hers. “From the moment you saw him you have been tense. All night. Because of him.”
“Because of him?” she asks and pulls away. “You really think—”
She doesn’t finish her sentence. I expect her to move away from me, like she has done since we arrived here but, instead, she sighs and leans against me.
“Me then?” I ask. That doesn’t make sense. I’ve been here with her since we arrived, playing along with her little games, practically begging for her attention.
Carol doesn’t answer. Instead, she cups her hand behind my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. The fruity flavor makes her mouth even sweeter, but it also reminds me that she’s not quite herself. This time it’s me who pulls away but that only makes her smile wider.
“I’m really tired tonight,” she whispers and turns her back to me. “Will you please help me with this?”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath before I’m ready to help her. I hold the zipper between my fingers and pull it all the way down. She flicks the straps of her dress off her shoulders, and it takes all my self-control to reach for a t-shirt and help her to bed.
Chapter Seventeen
Carol
Ihavealwaysthoughtthat people who turn a blind eye to the truth are crazy or at the very least deserving of whatever it is that’s coming for them. And it’s that very thought, or should I say, realization, that forces me to open my eyes.
I have to move away from him.
There is little light coming into the room—thank God it’s early. Plenty of time to prepare for the day ahead.
I take a deep breath in and out as slowly as I can, savoring the scent that tingles in my nostrils. My chest heaves and falls again, as does the arm that is wrapped around me, resting against my belly and breasts. As if in slow motion, I turn my head to look at him.
That dark mess of hair is jutting in every direction, his face mere inches from mine. Brian seems to sense my movement and his breathing becomes sharper, but he doesn’t wake up.
Good. I don’t want to talk to him now. I don’t really know what to say.
My eyes drink in his peaceful features. A mixture of desire, anger and even guilt, ruining my mood once again. Last night could have gone so wrong and it’d all be on me and my need to make him jealous. What was I thinking, drinking like that, and letting him see that I want him?
Or maybe he didn’t.
Maybe he really thought that I was like that for Morgan. I mean, he didn’t make a move last night. If he had, I know I’d have given in.
I look down at his hand softly cupping my breast. The shirt is his and I have no recollection of putting it on. Although there’s a sheet covering both of us, I know the only other thing I’m wearing are my panties. And I’m pretty sure that what I feel against my thigh are his boxers. And his bulging erection.
Not really thinking, I move my leg slightly, rubbing it against him. Brian lets out a soft groan and pulls me closer to him, burying his face in my neck, our legs now entwined.
“Good morning,” I say, trying to ignore the tender kisses he’s planting on the side of my neck down to my collarbone. I brace my hand on his shoulder with every intention of pushing him away but the moment my fingers press against his tanned skin, they begin to move of their own accord, raking his back, drawing him even closer.
Brian doesn’t wait for another sign. He swiftly moves on top of me, this time aiming for my lips. I moan as his tongue slips inside and I wrap both hands around his neck. I had forgotten what he felt like, but my body reacts to him like it always has.
“Carol.” My name rolls off his tongue, barely a whisper, but it’s enough to bring me back to my senses.
The plan.
My revenge.
Half the reason we are here.
It’s so easy to ignore all of that, and I really want to, but I just can’t. With great effort, I lower my hands and place them against his chest. Brian makes a squirming sound, pouting like a small child who was just denied something he really wanted.
“I need to get up.” The corner of his mouth curls up when he hears my now hoarse voice. I motion to my left and he rolls over, freeing me and leaving me freezing at the same time. I drag my feet to the bathroom.
Today is the day I’ve been dreading all these months. Seeing my family was not as bad as I expected—and Brian’s presence helped a lot, even with my mother—but it’s not going to be just them now.
My reflection stares back at me defeated, makeup smudged and hair frizzy, but my cheeks are burning bright red. Great. I have a lot of fixing up to do in order to be presentable at the ceremony.
