Page 91 of Everlasting Promises

“When she received the diagnosis that she didn’t have long to live, I talked to her mom about Tahlia’s dream. I loved her enough as a friend that I wanted to make it come true for her. One last wish before she left this earth.”

“Oh, Ben.” Hope’s voice drips with pain—two syllables, but so much feeling.

I draw in a breath, remembering how happy Tahlia was when I asked her to marry me. “She was so excited. She and her mom organized the entire wedding in two weeks. We exchanged vows by the largest lake in Piney Lakes, beneath an arbor of pink roses on the first day of September.” I lift my eyes to Hope’s. “We didn’t live together or anything like that, because it was never like that between us, but I was more than happy to make her dream a reality. Two weeks later, she was gone.”

I swallow around the thickness that always forms in my throat whenever I think of Tahlia. Taken from us too soon. Her shining light extinguished before we were ready. It wasn’t fair to her or her mom—or us. Hope places the photo on the shelf and wraps her arms around me, pressing herself against the length of my body.

“You’re such a good man, Benjamin Taylor.” She looks up at me. “Tahlia was lucky to have a best friend like you.”

I smile down at her. “I was the lucky one. She taught me how to have fun and make the most of each day. It’s almost like she knew she wouldn’t be here for a long time.” I kiss her forehead, soaking in her softness and the scent of vanilla in her hair. “Your hair always smells so damn delicious,” I groan.

She chuckles, her body shaking against mine. “Thanks.”

“This house belonged to Tahlia’s family. They’d come here every summer vacation. Sebastian and I even came along a few times. When Tahlia’s mom passed away five years ago, she left it to me, which was completely unexpected. That’s when I decided to leave Piney Lakes and follow my dream of working as a K9 handler here.”

“Oh, Ben. So much loss in one family.” The entire Gilbert family is gone.

I nod my agreement and she squeezes me tight, then I kiss her temple and reluctantly pull away from her embrace, grabbing the bottle of wine to top off our glasses.

After the way things quickly escalated when I fell asleep on the couch with her, I need to be mindful about keeping space between us—especially with Evan in the house. I don’t want her to think I’ve offered them a place to stay to get her into my bed. She needs to take the lead and guide the pace between us. I’ll never forgive myself if we were to move faster than she’s ready for. I’d rather wait a thousand years to touch her than push things too quickly and break her. I’m gonna end up with the bluest balls of all time, but it’s a small price to pay.

When it’s time for bed, we say goodnight in the hallway and go to our separate rooms. I tell myself it won’t be like this forever.

Lying in bed with my hands behind my head, I stare at the ceiling as the shadows from the tree outside move across the ceiling in the wind. I picture her in the bed next door, my T-shirt pushed up over her breasts, leaving them exposed to my tongueas I tease her nipples into hard points. I’d spread her legs wide so her glistening pussy was on display for my perusal. Her lower half bare except for those sexy ass socks she wears. I’d slide my hands up her toned thighs, appreciating their silkiness beneath my rough hands.

My cock hardens, and the temptation to take it in hand and stroke it is almost too much, but I don’t want to disrespect Hope like that. She deserves more than lust. She deserves to be cherished and adored. She deserves to be treated like a queen. But I can’t switch my mind off that easily. I imagine the heat in her eyes as I lightly swipe my tongue along her pussy, teasing her clit with small, tight circles.

An unfamiliar sound breaks the silence, and I strain to listen. Everything’s quiet until a few moments later, it happens again. This time it sounds distinctly like a low moan followed by what sounds like a sob coming from Hope’s room. I sit up, straining to listen. It happens again, and before I know it, my feet hit the floor and I’m walking toward my bedroom door. Ripping it open, I stride to her door, then press my forehead against the wood.

Dammit, she’s upset. I’m not surprised after the way her day ended.What should I do?I want to go in and hold her. Tell her everything will be okay. But I don’t want to invade her privacy either.

I fall forward slightly before I realize the door’s no longer there. I don’t recall touching the doorknob, but maybe my subconscious took over since I couldn’t decide.

“Oh.” Hope’s startled expression and flushed cheeks has me straightening in place.

“Sorry, I heard you moan and sob, and I was worried. I was coming to ask if you were okay,” I explain quickly so she doesn’t think I’m some kind of creeper hanging outside her bedroom door. Though I wouldn’t blame her if that’s the impression she has.

I watch her throat move as she swallows, her eyes blown wide and cheeks flushed a gorgeous hue of pink. “Y-you heard that?”

“Uh, yeah.” I toss my thumb over my shoulder. “Our beds butt up against the same wall.”

She covers her face with both hands. “Oh, my god. I’m so embarrassed.”

I drag her hands away from her face and bring them to my mouth to kiss each one. I can’t miss the feminine scent lingering on her fingers, and my eyes snap back up to Hope’s. If I thought she looked flushed before, she’s even more so now. She tries to tug them out of my hold, but I grip onto them, not letting go. I bring them to my nose and draw in a deep breath. “Beautiful.” I kiss each finger, never taking my eyes from hers. Her pupils grow, almost overtaking the aquamarine I love so much.

“Ben,” she whispers on a shaky breath.

“Yeah, Cookie?”

“What’s happening?” Her question is barely a murmur.

“I’m kissing you.” I promised myself I wouldn’t push her, but she makes it damn hard to keep myself in check. Clearly, I have no self-control where she’s concerned. Her shoulders drop, the tension falls away, and I watch her soften as I flip her hand over and kiss her palm. I take my time, slowly stroking my tongue along each finger, tasting the remnants of her self-induced orgasm. “Tell me what you were doing,” I murmur, my voice a pained whisper. My dick as hard as a rock.

“Uhm …” Her wide eyes are almost comical—it’s a guilty expression I’m used to seeing in my job. Her chest rises and falls quickly, giving away how turned on she is.

A hard nudge at my thigh breaks my focus and when I look down, Rex is looking up at me. He whines and wags his tail, then takes off for the stairs. I know what that means, and disappointment swiftly floods my body.

Cock blocked by my best friend.

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