AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I make it back downstairs, Emerson is no longer sitting at the island. My eyes scan the room, and I find her lying on the couch. I make my way to her and kneel. Lifting my hand, I push her hair back out of her eyes. “You okay, baby girl?”
“I drank too much.”
I chuckle softly. “Yeah, you did. You’re going to be feeling it tomorrow.”
“Ugh,” she groans.
“You ready for bed?” I wish I was asking her that so she would be joining me as we sleep, but again, that’s a wish that will never be granted. I have to hold strong. I have to keep reminding myself that she’s too young for me, and that her brother would cut off my balls if he found out I touched her. Hell, if he could read my mind, he’d cut off my balls.
“Will you carry me?”
“Yeah, baby. I’ll carry you.”
I lift her into my arms, bridal style, and she wraps her arms around my neck. She nestles into my chest, and I freeze. Something in my chest feels as though it clicks into place. I shake off the feeling and carry her up to her room.
Once in her room, instead of placing her on her bed, I sit with her in my arms. Her eyes are closed and her breathing is even. Everyone in this house is passed out, and I know it’s wrong, but I just want a few minutes with her. To hold her and curse the fact that there are so many obstacles in our way. I can admit that if she weren’t my best friend's little sister, the age difference is something I could get past. She’s an adult, and knows her own mind, but luck unfortunately is not on our side.
I don’t know how long I sit here, but I need to go. Standing, I place her on the bed and pull off her shoes. I tug the blankets up over her and lean down to press my lips to her forehead. “Night, baby girl.”
I turn to walk away when her hand reaches out and snags my wrist. “Stay.”
I peer down at her with nothing but the moonlight shining through the blinds. “I can’t.” The words feel like sandpaper on my tongue.
“Just until I fall asleep.”
I’m crossing a line and I know it, but I also know that with that soft plea of hers, I can’t say no. I tell myself it’s because I’m worried about her. She might get sick and need me. I tell myself that if Forrest or anyone else walks in, that will be my story of why I’m in her bed. However, as I kick off my shoes and lie down next to her, she curls up against my chest, and I wrap my arm around her. This is more than just watching out for her. It’s wrong, but fuck me, I can’t seem to make myself stand and leave.
Several minutes pass by and her breathing evens out. I need to get up and go downstairs, and I will. I just need five more minutes of this time with her, and then I’ll go. My lips press to the top of her head.
“You make it impossible for me to resist you,” I whisper into the darkness of the room. “I know we can’t be together, but I still want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything.” I kiss the top of her head again, because at this moment, I can speak freely, and that’s a gift I’m not passing up on. “Something tells me you’re going to turn my world upside down, and fuck me, Emerson. I’m scared as hell that I’m going to let you.” The confession falls easily from my lips, and it’s not until this moment that I know it’s true.
I’ve never felt this connection with anyone before in my life. She’s different, and that’s a blessing and a curse. I’m going to try to fight whatever this is, but as she rests peacefully in my arms, her hand gripping my shirt, I know it’s impractical.
I can already feel myself falling.
ChapterEight
Emerson
I’m nervous. I don’t know why, but I am. He’s one of the best, but it’s not his skill that has my palms sweating. When I think about approaching Roman and asking him to give me a tattoo that I’ve been wanting for a while, I’m scared to death.
I know he’s just Roman, the guy I’ve known and crushed on for years. My brother's best friend, and my… well, he’s not really my anything, but I wish he were.
Things have been weird between us. It’s the end of July, and I leave to go back to school in a couple of weeks. I really want this tattoo, and I know I could ask any of the other guys, or my brother, to do it, but I want it to be Roman. They’re all super talented, but I want it to be him. Besides, that will give us some time together. Maybe we can talk, and it will pull us out of this state of limbo we seem to be in.
He wants me.
I want him.
He says that doesn’t matter and refuses to consider we could be more.
Yada, yada, yada.
Forrest and I already have matching anchor tattoos. He gave me mine on my eighteenth birthday, on the same weekend I moved in with him. He had Legend do his. Mine is on my ankle, and his is on his forearm. It’s a symbol of staying grounded, and knowing that we always have a home, an anchor with one another.
I can still remember that day. I was nervous about asking him. I don’t know why; he was excited to give me my first tattoo. When I told him why I wanted the anchor, he teared up and called out for Legend, who was the only other person in the shop at the time and told him to get to work on his drawing, and that he was next once mine was finished. As siblings, we are anchored together by love, and in life, we know that we always have a home in each other.
Tonight, it’s just Roman and me at the shop. His last client was running late, and Roman said he would stay. He told me to lock up and go home, but I didn’t listen. Instead, I’ve been sitting here at the counter working up the nerve to ask him to ink my drawing on my hip.
