Page 34 of Wish You Would

“Then,” she repeated, gaze flicking downward, then back to my eyes as she leaned in.

Please, I thought. Please show me.

My fingers gripped the edge of the counter as my entire body trembled with anticipation. I lifted my chin, my eyes drifting closed. The heat of her breath brushed my lips and my knees knocked together. Please, I thought again. Kiss me.

“Then,” she whispered, the tip of her nose grazing mine. “You—”

“Nothing to see here!” A third, much louder, voice called, crashing through the moment like a wrecking ball. “I just needed another cookie.”

Or, more accurately, a nosy best friend with a sweet tooth.

Gigi flew back as if she’d been caught committing unthinkable crimes. “I, uh…” she started, looking around the room wide-eyed, like she forgot where she was. “I should get going. It’s late. You need to get some sleep.”

Disappointment was a cold shower. “I’m all right. I—”

“Thanks for the cookies,” she continued, as if I hadn’t spoken at all. Simon pivoted out of her way as she veered toward the exit. “It was…um, nice to see you.”

“You, too, dear,” Simon called back as Gigi practically ran for the front door.

Once the door shut behind her, Simon faced me, eyes wide. “Well,” he said, hands on hips. “What was that about?”

Staring at the still-swinging kitchen door, I shook my head. My body still buzzed, but my brain spun with whiplash. “I wish I knew,” I said as I reached for a peanut butter cookie. But not even the salty-sweet of my favorite treat could make up for the absence of Gigi’s lips on mine.

15

GIGI

KING OF WISHFUL THINKING

I slept like shit.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Parker’s face. Her big blue eyes, blinking guilelessly up at me. Her pillowy pink lips, parted in anticipation. The quickened breaths that teased my face as I leaned in closer.

God. If Simon hadn’t crashed through that moment like a hand grenade, I’d have known. I’d have finally known what her lips felt like against mine. I’d have tasted heaven.

My body ran both hot and cold all night. The heat of wanting instantly cooled by reality. Of all the women to crash into my psyche, to fill me with piercing, needy desire, why did it have to be her?

Her, who was into someone else. A friend of mine, no less. Her, who was the cherished sister of another friend. Her, who was so good, so sweet and kind, so perfectly perfect that I could never, in all my life of trying, be good enough for her.

Kicking the tangled sheets away from my legs, I starfished on my bed and glared at the ceiling. Morning light had started to creep in between the slats of my blinds. It was still early. Too early. I worked tonight. I needed to sleep.

With a groan, I threw my arm over my eyes, blocking out the light, and tried to force myself to relax. My brain to shut off.

Almost as if intentionally taunting me, it cued up visions of last night. Again.

You want me.

You want me.

You…want…me.

A steady pulse thrummed between my legs. My next breath faltered. Squeezing my thighs together, I squeezed my eyes tighter. No, I told my body. Not right now. Not while thinking of her.

But my body wasn’t listening. Neither was my brain. Because the next image that flashed through it was of something that had never happened at all. Me, pulling Parker against me, tight enough to feel her every soft curve molding itself to my body. Me, dipping my head and taking her lips with mine. Me, thrusting my hands into her hair, tilting her head back, kissing her deep and long, wringing every sigh, every moan from her and drinking them down.

“Fuck,” I whispered, my hand helplessly training over my stomach, slipping beneath the waistband of my underwear. I was wet. So wet. My middle finger slid between my folds, finding my aching center. A whimper left my lips as I arched my hips into my touch.

She’d taste sublime, I bet. Like sunshine and sex dancing on my tongue. My breathing hitched as my mind played it out: her, splayed on my bed, long, dark hair spread out over the pillows, those soft, white thighs open for me. Me between them, watching her beautiful face as I lapped and licked. She’d turn the most gorgeous shade of pink as she neared the edge, I just knew it.

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