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Fuck.
I want her hands there.Now, tomorrow, the next day.
Her fingers move over my abs like they’re mapping them.Fuck, I want that too.I want her to know every line, every ridge.“I told you that I thought you’d be good at sex.”
I don’t take my eyes off her.“I’d let you teach me how you like it.”
Her lips part slightly as her breathing turns shallow.“You held my hair while I vomited.”
“I did.”
“No man has ever done that for me before.”
“You’ve been dating the wrong men, Liv.”
That slows her down.Her eyes search mine more deeply while my words work their way into her soul.“You undressed me.”It’s a statement but I hear the question in her tone.
“Yes.”I snake my hand around her hip and splay my fingers across the small of her back.“You told me you couldn’t wear your dress to bed.You were very demanding.”
“Oh god.”Nervous laughter spills from her.“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”I try to stop my next words from landing between us, but they’re out of my mouth before my brain gets a say.“You own some sexy underwear, Ace.”
Her body sways into mine and my gut tightens.She’s in this with me.Sofucking in this.“I can never drink whiskey again.You should make sure of it.”
I apply slight pressure to her back, forcing her harder against me.“You can count on me.But you should know that out of every moment we’ve ever shared, that afternoon is at the top of my list.”
She blinks like I’ve just said something she can’t wrap her head around.I see the moment she decides to put a stop to everything.After all these years of being her best friend, I know the sequence of events when Olivia compartmentalizes things.I see her mind working as she opens a box, puts what doesn’t work for her in it, and seals it closed.
She removes her hand from my body and steps back.“It was a crazy afternoon.”She gives me wide eyes and a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.“So much fun, but seriously, that hangover was the absolute worst.”
I want to tell her I can’t compartmentalize what’s happening between us any longer.I want to tell her I’m going fucking crazy from not telling her that she’s on my mind every second of every day.But I don’t.I keep it all to myself and let her have what she needs.
“No more whiskey.I’m on it.”
Her smile grows but it still doesn’t find its way to her eyes.“Something else I need you to remind me of is that the first time a girl wears new shoes, it should not be to a party.”
“Why not?”
“They should be worn for short periods to begin with to break them in.”She looks at her shoes.“I should have worn these to a lunch or dinner a few times so I was splitting the time between standing and sitting.I think I’m going to have a blister after tonight.”
I glance down at her shoes that are some of the sexiest, strappiest heels I’ve ever seen.“Have you got other shoes for tomorrow night?”From what Joe told me yesterday, they’ve gone all out and are putting on a wedding reception no one will forget anytime soon.
“Yes.”She gives me an apologetic look.“I think I need to call tonight quits or else my feet will go on strike for the rest of the weekend.But you can stay if you want.You don’t have to leave just because I am.”
Fuck, I’ve pushed her too far.Liv is a runner when it comes to men.I’ve watched her do it with every relationship and almost every date that looked like it could turn into something more.She reaches a point where she lets fear control her and ends things before more is demanded than she thinks she has to give.
There’s no fucking way I’ll let her run from me.I’ll deal with my feelings on my own and not force them upon her if that’s what it takes to keep her in my life.
In an effort to lighten the mood and bring us back to normal, I say, “I better come with you in case your feet die on the way back to the suite and you need someone to carry you.”
Now, her eyes crinkle.“See, this is why you’re my best friend.You always make the needed sacrifices for me.”
Right.
Best friend.
I got carried away there for a minute.
