AllFreeNovel
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After grabbing a towel and washcloth, a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, I step back into the bathroom, freezing as she peels off her hoodie, then tosses it aside. Her T-shirt’s slipped off her shoulder, revealing a splatter of freckles painting her skin. She brings her hands to her hair and starts to tug out her ponytail.
“Here you go.” I drop everything beside the sink, then start to drag the door shut.
When I hear a yelp, chased by a muttered string of Swedish, I freeze. Ziggy only seems to mutter in Swedish when she’s really upset.
“You okay?” I ask.
“This hair tie is just…really knotted, and it’s tugging my hair. I’m fine. I’ll get it out.”
“Do you…” I open the door a little wider, looking at her. “Do you need me to help?”
She bites her lip. “Yeah. Maybe. Just please don’t tug. I’m…really sensitive.”
I step behind her, gently taking over where the hair tie’s tangled in her hair. “I’ll be careful.”
We’re both quiet while I work. Ziggy dusts herself off more, brushing the flour from her face over the sink, shaking it out of her hair as it comes free of the hair band. I focus on gently loosening each strand, taking my time, careful not to pull her hair as I do.
Finally, the hair tie’s free, and I set it on the counter. “There.”
Her hand reaches out and finds mine, then clasps it. She gives me one of her firm Ziggy squeezes. Slowly, she turns and faces me.
She looks almost like herself now, most of the flour gone from her hair, brows, and lashes. “Thank you.” Her hands come to my face, brushing the flour from my cheeks, bristling across my scruff.
It’s very hard to stand here, our bodies almost touching, her hands cupping my face.
“Don’t thank me,” I say quietly.
“Too bad. Already did.” She reaches up for my hair, brushing flour from that, too.
I clear my throat roughly, fighting the ache to press myself into her, to push her against the sink and taste her mouth again. I’ve gone a week without kissing her, and I’m nearly mindless with wanting to do it again.
I can’t kiss her again. I won’t.
I try to make myself pull back, but I’m weak and desperate, so instead I turn my face into her hand like I did earlier tonight. Christ, I’m practically nuzzling her. “Did you get flour in my hair too?”
Her touch lingers for a moment in my waves before she drops her hand. “A little. But mostly, it got wild in the tickle wrestle. I was just fixing it how you like.”
It’s suddenly silent in the bathroom but for the faint, steady plink of water dripping from the faucet. I stare at her, feeling a tug right between my ribs, drawing me in. I want to hold her close. I want to touch her and taste her, learn her and earn her satisfied sighs. I want to feel the strength and softness of her body and kiss every freckle splashed across her skin.
Ziggy lists toward me. I list toward her, too.
Her hands settle on my elbows, mine on her hips. Our heads bend, coming closer. Our noses brush. I clench my jaw, fighting white-hot desire’s pull that pulses through me.
You can do this, Seb. Be strong. Be the friend you told her you want to be.
Slowly, carefully, I ease my arms out of her grip, then wrap them around her, holding Ziggy in a bear hug to my chest. “Thank you,” I tell her.
I feel her smile against my shoulder. “For what?”
“For letting me crash your night. For stealing a rather large bite of my chocolate cake—hey!” I shove her hand out of my side, where she’s poked me, trying that tickle shit again. “For online grocery shopping with me. For helping me. And, uh…for the hug, earlier. That felt good.”
Turning her head, she sets her chin on my shoulder and squeezes her arms around my waist. “This is a pretty good hug you’re serving, too, ya know.”
“I’ve learned from the best.”
She smiles against my neck, then slowly pulls away, staring at me. I stare at her, too. Our eyes hold as my hand starts circling her back, as hers drifts along my side. I don’t know who does it first, but our hips brush, then our chests. Our mouths are so close.
Ziggy’s throat works with a swallow. Mine does, too.
