Page 66 of Close Knit

One movement, and I could be touching her.

“Should I bring a disguise?” she offers sweetly.

“Come as yourself,” I whisper, my patience hanging on by a measly thread. I don’t trust myself to be around her.

“I can’t wait, Goose.” Her crooked smile does it, as does the curve of her lower lip and those fucking dimples.

Without thinking, I curve my pointer finger below her chin, leaning closer and closer until my mind goes blank with thesmell of her skin. Daphne’s eyelashes flutter closed, and she stretches her neck, her veins pumping lazily.

I know exactly what she would feel like. How her body would mold perfectly to mine. How she’d whimper and the corners of her lips would lift into a smile. How this beautiful long hair would feel when my fingers rake through it.

Pressure builds at the base of my spine.

I could kiss her. Maybe I should.

This friend thing we have isn’t going to work for much longer. I want—no, Ineed—more than that with her.

I take my time, running the knuckles of the hand that holds her gift along her upper thigh, up her waist. Her shirt hem draws upward, revealing more and more of her legs. I want to sink my teeth into her, kiss her along her collarbones. Forget all my problems and just focus on her pleasure. Get her to moan those compliments that come so easily to her.

Her breath hitches—a soft, barely audible sound that sends another shockwave through my system. My pulse rockets like it’s working overtime.

Kiss her.Just one taste.

I lean in, pivoting at the last second to kiss her cheek, so close to her mouth. I know that the shortest measure matters. A hairbreadth could decide the difference between a triumphant save and an utter defeat. A few centimeters to the left could mean carrying the taste of her home with me.

The faintest gasp escapes her as she presses her body into me. My dick pushes against my jeans.

Control yourself.

Her fingers twitch against my thigh, a small, involuntary movement that nearly undoes me. Every rational thought is drowned out by the overwhelming need to claim her in a way that leaves no room for ambiguity about what’s happening between us.

I can’t risk ruining our friendship. But for one more second, I selfishly linger against her burning cheek.

“Good night.” I break away, my throat hoarse. “Thank you for the gift.”

“Huh? Oh, n-night,” she stammers, her fingers brushing against the place my lips just were.

Closing the door behind me, I lean against it, the world quiet. In my hand, the crochet birthday cake feels heavier than it should. I bring it up to my nose and inhale deeply.

Daphne’s unraveling me. With one fucking knitted cupcake.

I should put a stop to this. To everything. No more Yes Year activities. No more dropping by unannounced. She’s affecting me without even trying. She’s seeped into all the cracked and crooked parts of me, filling spaces I didn’t realize were empty.

I’m fucked. More than I’ve ever been.

And the scariest part? I don’t really want to run away this time.

Chapter 15

Daphne

Daphne

Hope practice went well! Can’t wait to see your footwork in person. ;)

Hope I got that right or I’ll have to return Soccer for Dummies and give it a two-star rating.

Goose

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