Page 53 of Last Round

“Exactly.” I breathe a sigh of relief that she gets it. “Don’t get me wrong. I love every second we spend together and I acknowledge what it means that he wants to take things slow. But I’ve been waiting for this for so long…”

“You’re about ready to explode like a shook-up soda bottle with about a decade’s worth of sexual tension fizzing at the cap.”

“You have no idea,” I groan. “This morning he walked out of the shower, dripping wet, in nothing but a towel. He had it hanging so deliciously low it was one slip from showing me the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” Chelsea covers her laugh. I know. I sound insane and would laugh too if I were in her shoes. Still, I continue to rant. “I’ve never had to masturbate so much in my entire life. I’m developing carpal tunnel.”

“No vibrator?” She presses her palm to her chest and gasps in horror. “With all these insane pregnancy hormones, I’d die without mine.”

“They’re back at the house. I didn’t pack them. I mean, I was hoping the expertly tuned hunk of man I’ve been shacking up with would be replacing my battery-operated boyfriends. I considered going back and grabbing them, but I would die if he heard me using one. It’s bad enough he almost caught meclicking my mousethe other morning.”

“Why? Let him catch you. Maybe he’ll get all jealous and show you what areal mancan do.”

“You sound like Bex.” I shake my head.

“Who knows? It might work. If not, at least you’re relieving some of that tension and giving your wrist a break.”

“Maybe,” I sigh.

“That’s not all, is it?”

“No.” I shake my head. “Sean comes home on Sunday.”

“And you’re worried all of this will be over before it even gets started because he’s going to flip out?”

“Do you really think he’s going to be that mad? That wholebro-codecrap is just a myth, right?”

“Sean?” She laughs. “He’s going to kill him.”

I drop my head to the tabletop and groan. “Why do boys have to be so stupid?”

“The bigger the penis, the dumber they get.”

I cringe at the insinuation as she pats me on the back. “As much as I can’t wait for us to take things to the next level, I’ve been loving our time together. My crush on Killian developed long beforesexwas on the brain. So all of our late nights spent talking, watching movies—it’s like a dream come true. I just hate that he’s holding back. I want all of him. Especially before my idiot brother murders him and I’m robbed of our chance to be more.”

Chelsea’s reply is cut off with a wince as she grabs the side of her belly.

“Are you okay?” I ask, urging her to sit down.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Baby just knows exactly how to kick Momma’s kidney at the worst of times.”

“Ouch,” I empathize. “Have you decided what you’re going to do? This peanut is going to be here soon.”

“I’m not going home. When I took off with Brad, my mom told me ifI was going to run off and ruin my life being nothing better than a professional groupie, not to return. Besides, I like it here. I’ve got friends, a job, and an apartment. I’m looking forward to experiencing my first winter.”

“You’re in for a treat.”

A customer flags her down, and she smiles. “Better get back to work.”

I hug her tightly. “I’m here, how ever you need me.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

Deciding this table can’t get any cleaner, I bring my rag and spray bottle back to the supply closet. Before I can step inside, I’m pushed over the threshold and the door clicks shut. Strong arms hug me from behind. I close my eyes and savor his familiar scent.

“There’s something about you wearing a shirt with my name on it that makes me hard all day.” Killian’s hot breath tickles as he whispers in my ear.

“I could put on the pasties and fishnets if you prefer?” I curve my back so that my ass rubs his crotch.

He growls. “You want me to go to prison? You were lucky I was way too drunk last time. Otherwise it would’ve been a bloodbath in here.”

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