Page 34 of Never Kiss Your Brother's Best Friend

Our kiss continues on like a wildfire, consuming me with its intensity and leaving nothing but smoldering embers in its wake. Our hands are everywhere, mine racing through her hair, hers exploring my arms and back, seemingly desperate to pull me closer. My lips find their way to the contours of her neck, brushing gently as she arches her body in response with a delighted groan.

I trail slowly back along her jawline, on a mission to discover more about the taste of her lips.

Unfortunately, she pulls away before I can find out. We're both breathless, a sound that I will replay over in my mind long after this night. Emma's face is completely flushed. Her hair is a tangled mess and her lips are puffy, and it's one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.

There's a moment of awkwardness like she can’t quite believe what we've done, so I take that time to smooth down her hair and run my fingers gently over her swollen lips, lips I kissed into this state.

This wasn't a friendly thank you kiss. This was years of passion waiting for its chance. It was worth the wait.

But I think we both also realize the movie scene we just played out has consequences. Emma takes a step back, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Wow," she says, her voice a little shaky.

"Yeah, wow," I echo, still processing the fact that we just crossed a line we can’t uncross.

I'm not sure what to do or say next, so I just continue staring at her. My heart aches to be near her again.

She clears her throat and takes a step toward the door, tripping over her own two feet, just like the scene in the movie. Since it’s her, it’s hard to know if it was on purpose or not.

Tripping, as I mentioned, seems to be part of her life. I reach out to catch her before she falls, and as soon as her arms wrap around me, the butterflies return. I pull her close and nuzzle my face in her neck, not wanting to let her go.

"So, uh, I should probably get going," she says too soon.

I relent, pulling away. "You okay? You seem a little flustered."

"I am not," she mutters, but I can see her smile. She's obviously feeling the same way I am.

I let out a sigh, my eyes lingering on her lips. The kiss we shared is still fresh in my mind, and all I can think about is doing it again and again and again.

But I don't want to push things. We just took a huge step, and I don't want to do anything to ruin the moment. Especially not by being too greedy.

I know this is new territory for her, and I'm not sure exactly how she feels about it. Maybe it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, something she did out of impulse. But, maybe, it was more. It definitely felt like more. She doesn't look like she regrets it.

At our feet, Buddy prances around us, wrapping the leash around our legs. Emma giggles, and I pull her in for one last hug and kiss her gently on her cheek.

"Thanks for this. It was a great day," she murmurs.

I nod. "It was. And the wall thing was..."

"Not planned," she says. My eyes lock on her, wondering if she thinks it was mistake, until I notice her biting her bottom lip, before adding, “But wonderful.”

Whew.

Reluctantly, I open the door for her. She walks down the steps backward, looking at me—until she collides with another body.

She stumbles, again, and my heart stops.

"Ow," she says, rubbing her elbow.

"Emma, what the heck?" Peter asks.

I hold my breath, hoping he didn't just see our kiss. I know I said I didn't care, but that's easier to do when he's not here. Emma's eyes go wide, and she starts mumbling something that sounds a lot like an excuse, but he cuts her off.

"What are you doing here?" He looks from her to me, and I see the suspicion dancing in his irises.

"Sterling and I just finished handing out the flyers for our fundraiser," she explains. "Wait, why are you here?"

"I was going for a walk and saw the lights on. Figured I'd come say hi to my friend here." He shoots me a look that says he's not buying Emma's story, and I clear my throat.

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