Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“So you’re saying I should kiss him again? Is that it?”
Tess groans. “No, but…”
“It’s icky, remember?” I say, throwing her own word back at her.
“I shouldn’t have said that. Just because I find it odd, it doesn’t mean it is. Anyway, you only met him a year ago when you were both grownups.”
“It sounds like you’re trying to talk me into it.”
She grins tightly. “No, I’m not saying that. But the fact is, you’re my friend, and all I want is for you to be happy. You’ve been miserable every time we’ve spoken these last couple of days. Now I know why. You miss him.”
“I do, even if we live in the same house. How…”
I was about to say, How crazy is that?
Then I remembered what Miles said about craziness and sanity. The words can’t apply to us anymore, can’t hold any meaning, since we’re long past that.
“Anyway, it’s over,” I go on. “He said I was irresistible, but clearly, I’m not because he’s resisting, and it’s good. It’s the right thing to do.”
“That sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself,” Tess mutters.
“You were the one who warned me away.”
“I know, and I still think it’s the best option. I also know you better than anyone. I’ve never seen you this miserable and excited.”
“Excited?”
“It’s like you’re thrilled at the idea of what you and Miles could be, but then, when you remember the whole step-uncle thing, the misery hits.”
I sigh, taking a sip of my coffee. She’s not wrong. There’s a war waging inside me, one army pulling me toward Miles and the future and the other fighting for Noah, Mom, and their happiness.
Despite everything, I can typically fall asleep fairly quickly since I’m so tired from the restaurant, but tonight, after my conversation with Tess, I can’t settle. I toss and turn, the sheets tangled around my body, sweat coating my skin as my thoughts return to the kiss, his hand pushing between my legs, rubbing like he never wanted to stop. With a sigh, I sit up, looking at the clock. It’s three a.m.
I wonder if I should get up, but I have a lunchtime shift tomorrow and need a few hours at least. Outside my bedroom door, the floorboard creaks. Footsteps get closer until they’re right outside my room. My skin tingles when my door creaks, as though somebody is leaning against it. Am I imagining this? Hoping for it?
Standing, I tiptoe quietly across the room, gently taking the handle and opening the door. Miles steps back, wearing only a pair of shorts, his muscled torso on display. His eyes are even more passionate in the low light.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
He glances down the hallway to Mom and Noah’s room. The large bathroom separates my room and theirs, but this is still beyond risky. Waving him inside, I shut the door behind him, knowing this is a dangerous move. He’s close to me now, his heat radiating, his body sending me signals. I bet mine is doing the same. He steps closer, his bare chest almost touching me. It takes every ounce of self-control to move away from him.
“What are you doing?” I ask again, my voice low.
He smirks, his voice just as low. “You might think I’m a complete freak if I tell you.”
“Well, I already think that, so don’t worry.”
He laughs quietly, and a thrill expands within me, a glorious pulsing. I’ve been waiting for a small moment like this, banter, sassiness, his smirk—the connection we share that would convince so many people there’s something wrong with us. The only person who can make me feel this way is my step-uncle.
“I’ve been listening to you sleep,” he says. “It’s been so difficult staying away from each other. We agreed, but I need something from you. So, when it’s late, I listen to your soft breathing for a few moments if I’m awake. I know, Layla, this is serial-killer stuff.”
“What does that say about me that I like it?” I murmur.
This time, when he moves closer, I don’t step away. His naked torso brushes against me, his manhood stiff in his shorts. He’s enormous, a thick meaty length outlined by the fabric. I swallow a big lump of nerves as I stare down at it. Despite the nerves trying to drag me down, the flaring thrill wins because he’s getting so hard, so fast, and all for me.
“Kissing you in the middle of the night,” he says, leaning down, “when Noah and Elena are sleeping, and they could catch us any moment… that would be the most stupid thing I could do, wouldn’t it?”
Four days’ worth of desire swells inside of me. He doesn’t kiss me but holds his lips close enough, and then I make the first move, pressing my lips against his.
Pleasure instantly erupts through my body, tingling nerves dancing around my lips as he returns the kiss. The pressure between us is like a bomb ready to blow, our bodies hot and sweaty as he pushes closer to me, his manhood grinding against my belly.