Page 9 of Tempting Him (Illicit Desires)

“Love you too,” she replied before hanging up.

Tapping the side of my phone with my index finger, I thought about texting Rich. I wanted to talk to him. Hell, talking wasn’t all I wanted to do to the man, but until I could figure out how we could handle any fallout over us being together, I needed to keep it in my pants.

Opening the message app, I clicked on the new message icon and typed Rich’s name in the ‘To’ section. Before I could reconsider what I was doing, my fingers tapped out what was in my head.

Hi, hope it’s okay that I texted. I can’t stop thinking about last night, and I would like more. However, I think we need to talk about what happens with my friendship with Annie because of what happens with us, and how to handle anything that might come out of that. Once I’m sure of that, and protecting it, I would like to see where this might go.

I hit send, locked my phone, and put it back in my pocket, trying not to think too much about what Rich might reply.

After wilfully ignoringmy phone for a few hours, I finally had the courage to look and see if I had a reply from Annie’s dad.

Rich

It’s totally okay to message me any time you want. I agree, I would like to see what else could happen between us, but you’re right. I also think we need to be aware of Annie’s comfort with the situation. She says she’s going out again tonight. Would you like to come over and we can talk about it all properly? Maybe get a takeaway?

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing him again. Shaking my head at the mess I was getting myself into, I tapped out a reply.

Sounds good. Just let me know what time and I’ll be there.

His reply was almost instant.

Rich

Make it about 7?

I’ll see you then x

Rich

Good x

A goofy grinspread across my face at the kiss on the message and the thought of seeing him again. I was done for. This was getting way too serious for me and way too soon. Was that because I had known him for so long? Was it because I was genuinely getting in too deep already? Who knew? But one thing was for sure, I needed those answers because I really wanted to keep seeing Rich.

* * *

Annie had been textingme all day to tell me she was heading out with Declan again, and I knew she would be staying out all night. I hated that she was spending time with him but relished the time it was going to give me alone with Rich.

I knocked on the door, and moments later, Rich opened it with a smile. “Hello, there. Come on in,” he greeted me, standing back from the door to let me in.

My crush on him was getting bigger with every passing second. I closed the door and stood with my back against it for a moment, just looking at him and taking in everything about him.

“Are you okay?” he asked, looking at me with a frown.

I smiled warmly at him, snapping myself out of the nerves I was starting to feel. “I am now.”

“I take it you know Annie’s gone out with Declan again?” he asked, breaking the awkwardness that was creeping in.

“Yeah. I’m not impressed.” I followed him into the kitchen.

“Beer?” he asked, opening the fridge.

I nodded.

“Yeah, I can’t say I’m best pleased either. But it’s her life. Not my mistake to make.”

“How can you be so accepting of it, though? The guy is a douche. He’s always been one, and now he’s even more of a twathead.”

Rich snorted and handed me an open bottle of beer. “You sound more like her dad than I do. But what can I do, mate? She’s an adult, and he’s not being an actual bellend to her right now. The second he is, that’s different, but let’s face it, we all know what we want, don’t we?”

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