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For the next thirty minutes, I waited with as much patience as I could muster while jealousy burned me. The thoughts running rampant through my head ignited a level of ire I’d never experienced before.
Bailey had not answered my sister’s question. No denial on her part.
Rationality didn’t measure in that instance.
Nor the understanding toward the sudden shift in my feelings for her. But they had. Or maybe they’d morphed from innocent to wicked. From familial to that of a man finding his other half.
That one person meant to be yours.
Was the sole explanation I could give myself as to why my vision had gone red at the mere mention of them together. Had she kissed the prick? Were her words earlier in the kitchen all bullshit?
“Son of a bitch.” I clenched my fist and breathed in deep through my nose. Fought against every instinct that demanded I bring her back out here and…
“I didn’t kiss him.” Four words spoken so low, I almost didn’t hear. “That’s just your sister being a pain.”
Silently, I appraised her with a raised brow. Not that I wasn’t appreciative of the appeasing response to my inaudible question, but what prompted my beauty to come back? To come and soothe the raging inferno of envy that was scorching my veins?
“Why?” It came out harsher than I intended, and immediately I felt bad. At once, my body lost some of its rigidness.
Bailey fidgeted, swallowing hard, her hands going to the edge of her tank top and scrunching the material—twisting it in her tiny hands while one foot tapped the hardwood beneath her.
She’d changed, and to be honest, I didn’t know which outfit was more of a danger to my mental stability. My cock was hard at the sight of her in this simple and sweet sleep set. Wept at the taunting way the material highlighted every curve I hungered to taste.
It wasn’t anything risqué or made to be provocative, and that’s what made it sexy.
Shorts—soft, and in a light pink cotton with a matching top. The fabric molded onto her curves like a second layer of flesh in the most delicious way.
“Why what?” she whispered, bringing me out of my perusal of her lithe form.
Her evasive answer wouldn’t do, and I took in a deep breath. I decided to change my approach. “Why does she think you kissed him, baby girl?” I asked again, tone much softer. The subtle hint of huskiness caused her breath to catch. For her pupils to dilate a tiny bit. “Answer me, little B. Why does she insist on you being his?”
And while her reaction to my presence placated me, it took everything within me to not spit that out, dripping in the acid that churned in my gut. Just the thought of her being with anyone was pushing against the invisible thread that held my sanity.
Bailey’s green orbs narrowed. She tried and failed to look offended by my question. However, at the corner of her plump lips was a small hint of a smile. “That’s none of your business, Hunter.”
“Defiance isn’t in your best interest, Bailey,” I countered, taking in the small shiver that rushed up her spine. “Everything that has to do with you is my business.”
“Since when?” Placing her hand on her hip, she cocked her head to the side with an arched brow. “Three and a half years have gone by, Miles, and barely a word. One email conversation, and a handful of calls. That’s it. In my eyes, our friendship is tentative at best.”
I almost smiled at the use of my last name. Whenever she was annoyed with me, I was Miles.
“And I’ll apologize for that misconception.” Standing up, I locked eyes with her. Made sure that she saw the want—the truth in my stare—while I made my way across the room. She swallowed and took a step back, but for each one of hers, I’d take two. Didn’t stop until there was but a mere inch of separation between her body and mine. A stray curl caught my eye, and I reached out to place it behind her ear, my fingers skimming down the side of her neck. “But we will never be estranged, sweet girl. Never could be strangers when we share so much history together.”
“Shared. Past tense…” didn’t miss the breathiness in her voice. “…I don’t know you anymore.”
I devoured the sight of her chest rising and falling with each exaggerated breath. The way her nipples tightened, pressing against the thin fabric of her top. How the goosebumps on her skin spread, having nothing to do with the room’s temperature.
She wanted me closer. Welcomed this pulsing need that flowed between us.
Inhaling deep, I took the subtle scent of vanilla into my lungs and hissed as an electrical pulse rushed through my every nerve ending. It settled on the swollen tip of my dick. My chest expanded with the act and her eyes wandered lower, down my torso, and then paused at my throbbing erection.
Bailey licked her lips, and I smirked. “Eyes up here,” I crooned low, and green eyes met grey. There was no mistaking her labored breathing nor the heavy-lidded look of desire she wore. Something I’d use to my advantage to make baby girl mine. “I’m only going to say this once, so pay attention.” She nodded, and I leaned down to her level, placing my lips next to her ear. “For most of my life you’ve been that adorable little girl who slept over and was my sister’s best friend. My friend. But tonight...fuck—tonight, when you walked in and our eyes met, that reality ceased to exist. That tiny beauty I knew morphed into a beautiful woman that I plan to get to know. Romance, and then someday soon...own. Because I will. Of that I have no doubt.”
“Hunter, I…”
Placing a finger over her lips, I silenced her. “No more words. Let me show you with actions.” My lips skimmed down her neck and nipped her collarbone before walking out of the living room and up the stairs. Left her standing there dazed and immobile.
I’d laid a lot on her tonight, and she needed to process. Accept her new reality.
