Page 75 of Need

“Thank you.”

Then he was kissing me in a way that had my body feeling warm all over again. My towel lost its last remaining hold on my breasts when he rolled over, pressing me into the mattress.

“I could kiss you all day, Brianna,” he said, as his lips released my mouth and trailed down my neck. I loved when he kissed me, so I couldn’t disagree.

“We need to get up, though,” he said, reluctantly pulling away.

I saw his eyes travel down my body, leaving me feeling exposed. I held my breath, waiting.

Instead of touching me or kissing me again, he pushed himself up off the bed and stood, leaving his towel behind. His nakedness didn’t seem to bother him. It never did.

This time, as he walked away from me over to his closet, I thought about something Lily had asked me. She’d asked if I’d ever looked at Stephan as a man. I mean, I always knew he was a man—that was hard to miss—but seeing him now, her question took on another meaning. She was asking me if I was attracted to him. Physically.

“Go get dressed, Brianna. I’ll meet you in the kitchen, and we’ll get those salads.”

I jumped up from the bed and raced to my room, clutching my towel to my chest. I didn’t know the answers to so many things. I didn’t understand all these new feelings. Maybe it was good we were having dinner with Lily tonight. She’d be able to help me. She seemed to know everything I didn’t.

Five hours later, we sat at a table in a nice restaurant. It wasn’t as fancy as the one he’d taken me to where he’d ordered the duck, but it was still nice. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the table. Whenever he’d taken me out in the past, we’d usually sat in a booth. He was right beside me. Of course, he was beside me now, too, but there was space between us.

The table was in the back so there were fewer around us, but it was still busy. My gaze kept darting around every time someone moved or their silverware made a loud noise. I was jumpy and I didn’t know why. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t been out with him before.

I nearly fell out of my seat when his hand covered mine.

“What’s wrong?”

My eyes met his as I held onto his hand. I took a deep breath and tried to figure out why I was having this reaction. The only thing that made sense was that he’d been too far away. As he held my hand, I felt myself calming.

“This is the first time we’ve been at a table.” At his confused look, I knew I had to try to explain better. “Before we’ve always been in a booth. You were close. I could touch you.”

He squeezed my hand gently. “I’m right here, even if I’m not always touching you.”

“I know,” I said, lowering my head.

“Eyes up,” he ordered. When I was looking at him again, his voice softened. “I know this is hard, Brianna, but you are going to have to learn how to be around people. I don’t know if it will ever be something you’ll be comfortable with, but it is something you have to learn to tolerate. That’s one of the reasons we’re having dinner out and not at home.” He released my hand, and brushed his knuckles against my collar. “Have you forgotten that I’m always with you?”

I shook my head. “No, Sir.”

He smiled, and ran the back of his hand along my cheek before returning it to his lap. I felt the loss of his touch immediately, but I felt better than I had before. He was right. I always had his collar. He was always with me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

When I opened my eyes, Logan and Lily were walking toward us. Logan arrived first with Lily standing just behind him to the right. Her head was bowed, but she was looking at me from beneath her lashes and smiling. It was then I realized it was the weekend and that she and Logan were playing. I hoped she’d be able to talk tonight.

“There you are,” Stephan said as Logan pulled out the chair beside me for Lily. I was glad we’d at least get to sit beside each other. I wasn’t sure how I would have done if I’d had to sit beside Logan. “I thought you’d gotten lost or something.”

Logan smiled. “No. Lily just had some trouble deciding what she was going to wear. Finally, I made the decision for her.”

“I’m glad you made it, then. I know how Lily is with her clothes.” Stephan winked at her and I saw her glare at him quickly before looking down again.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the exchange. Knowing they’d played together in the past still gave me a funny feeling I didn’t like. They seemed to have a connection I didn’t understand, and it frustrated me.

“Yes,” Logan said. “I see you and Brianna made it on time.” He looked at me, and I glanced down.

“Brianna isn’t obsessed with clothing, are you, Brianna?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head.

“Well, maybe you can share that philosophy with Lily. I like her to look nice, but she tends to go overboard at times. Isn’t that right, Lily?” Logan asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

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