Page 129 of Never Let You Go

“Hey,” I say as I approach her. She’s stretched on the couch, her long legs propped up. I’m late already, but I don’t want to leave. Why did I commit to that stupid dinner, when I could be having a night in with Alexandra? I scooch her legs over and plop on the couch, my torso turned to her front, my hands naturally falling to the sides of her face, down to her neck. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

She bites her bottom lip and does the tiny little hiccupy breath that nearly kills me. “Of course,” she says.

She’s definitely not okay. “You can come with,” I say. “I’m sure Emma would love to have you.”

We both know it’s a lie. Even if Emma has remained strictly friendly with me, and been friendlier to Alexandra the couple times she’s been here to do the books, we both know Emma would have invited Alexandra if she’d wanted her there.

“I’m sure she would,” Alexandra plays along, “but that would make us a couple, right? I mean, assuming that an invite to you extends to me.”

“Right.”

“Which we agreed, we’re not. Right? We’re not a couple.”

My hand finds its way under her sweatshirt, up to her breast.

She hisses, “Chriiiiiiis.” Her nipple hardens under my fingers, and her hips buck up.

I tug the lace of her bra to the side. She’s so soft, her pearly nub hard just for me. I pull her sweatshirt up and lower my mouth.

“Right?” she repeats, killing my half boner.

Not a couple. Right.

Not right.

“About that,” I say, placing the bra back over her breast and pulling her sweatshirt back down. “What is Red Barn’s policy about working from home?”

She frowns, like she doesn’t understand my question.

“Mmm?” I insist.

Her eyes bore through me like she’s somewhere else. “I don’t know,” she says.

“Why don’t you find out.” I dip my head back down, to her face this time, grazing my lips against hers. “Sick and tired of this shit, beautiful. You’re totally under my skin, and in a good way, and I want to take this further. You and me.”

“Chris… what if it doesn’t work out? You and me. What about Skye?”

Well, first things first, I need to know if she wants this. If she wants more with me.

Or if I’m just the distraction.

“Let’s talk about it another time,” I say.

She nods almost imperceptibly. “You need to go.”

I trail my hands down her sides and cup her hips, giving them a squeeze. I can’t wait to have you again. “I shouldn’t be back too late.”

She shrugs. “Don’t worry about me. Grace texted me to hang out. I might take her up on that.” She dives back into her book.

I want to worry about her. “Good.” I stand up, relieved that Alexandra won’t be alone tonight. Feeling less guilty. “Alright, lemme get this out of the way,” I groan, talking about my evening with Emma.

“Have fun,” she says without looking up.

I lean over to kiss her temple, and almost say love you as I do, the words coming to my mouth naturally, she’s so ingrained into my life.

When I get to Emma’s, there are candles on the side tables in the living room. She takes my coat and sways her hips when she goes to hang it up. She’s wearing a short, tight skirt and a blouse that shows her bra pattern, especially when she leans over to pour me a drink and pass the nuts.

I’m annoyed already.

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