Page 19 of Allison

Then, they’re alone, just him and her, surrounded by water and fish. Only one thing is on his mind. His gaze drops to her lips. Her tongue darts out wetting them like she is thinking the same thing. He glances up. Her eyes are focused on his lips. Lowering his head for a kiss, she opens immediately, inviting him in. Groaning, he dives inside. She tastes fucking delicious.

Their tongues dance. His arms tighten around her, knowing he’ll never get enough. She is intoxicating, addictive, and he wants more.This week won’t be long enough.He jerks back, breaking the kiss.

“What’s wrong?” Allison inquires, concern on her face. He doesn’t know what to say. He can’t tell her the truth, that he is thinking about an impossible future which freaked him out.

Just then, Wallace and Emma appear looking for them. He drops his hands from her waist but not before Wallace narrows his eyes.Fuck!

“Um, Emma and Wallace are incoming,” Worm says, letting her believe that’s the reason for his abrupt end to their kiss.

“There you guys are!” Emma announces, turning toward Wallace. “I told you they were fine, just taking extra time in the tunnel.” She faces Worm and Allison. “Right?”

“Yeah,” Allison replies. “I saw a really cool, big shark.” She looks up. “Oh, look! There he is again!” They all look up at the long, sleek, grey beast as it swims by.

“How do you know it’s a male?” Wallace asks with genuine curiosity in his tone. He is studying the shark, intently, as it moves overhead. Allison looks at Worm. They burst out laughing hysterically. The other couple stares at them with baffled looks, which only makes them laugh harder.

“We should catch up with the others,” Wallace commands, after a minute. Worm can see the anger in Wallace’s gaze. The women lock arms and step onto the moving base, chatting softly. Worm turns to follow, but Wallace’s hand on his arm stops him.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Wallace growls, fiercely. “I told you to lay off. Allison is like a sister to Emma, and that makes her my sister, too. I won’t have our wedding ruined by you causing problems with Allison.”

“What makes you think I’m going to cause problems?” Worm retorts, trying to keep his anger in check. He doesn’t want to ruin anything, but he won’t let Wallace keep him from Allison, of that, he is certain.

“I know you, Worm,” Wallace drawls, “Fuck ‘em and leave ‘em. It’s how we all were before we found our one. It was our damn motto, but Allison isn’t that kind of girl. If you do this, you will upset Allison and, by extension, Emma. I won’t allow that to happen, not even by you, one of my brothers.”

“Fuck, Wallace! I have no intention of upsetting Allison,” Worm grumbles, running his hand through his hair and turning to pace. “I didn’t plan on any of this happening, but there’s something about her. I…I can’t stay away, man.” Worm throws his hands out to his sides.

Wallace stares at him for a long minute. His lips firm into a tight line, but he gives a single nod. “Don’t hurt her.” Then he turns to follow the women. Worm lets out a heavy breath.What the fuck am I doing?

He wasn’t lying. He can’t keep his hands off her, but, at the same time, he knows he can’t offer her more than this week. She lives in California for God’s sake, and she isn’t expecting more than a good time, right?Could she secretly be hoping for more?

Worm shakes his head to clear his mind. He needs to tread carefully. He can’t ruin a years-long friendship over a woman, but the thought of not spending time with Allison, not touching her, kissing her, doing other things with her, makes him feel sick. Being with her feels so good, so right. He is totally fucked. This is going to be a long damn week.

14

ALLISON

Allison braces herself for the onslaught of questions that she knows is coming. She turns, looking for Russell, but he isn’t following. Curtis must be having another conversation with him. Frowning, she stops walking, causing Emma to stumble.

“What are you doing?” Emma asks, glancing back, too. Her happy face falls. “Don’t worry about them. Curtis won’t hurt him. He just wants to make sure Worm knows how important you are to us.” Allison focuses on her cousin.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Emma has an embarrassed look on her face.

“Well, Curtis has told me stories about the guys on the team. You know, before any of them settled down,” Emma murmurs. “He just wants to make sure Worm knows you’re not one-night-stand material.”

Emma takes Allison’s arm, and they begin to walk again. They enter a large room with a round pool in the center. It looks like a kiddie pool with a short wall around the edges. Several children are kneeling next to it, leaning over the wall with their hands in the water. An attendant is standing nearby, watching. “Remember, don’t try to pick them up, just let them glide under your hand.”

The women move closer to the pool, seeing small rays swimming around and around. Allison is still trying to process Emma’s words. “I appreciate you and Curtis wanting to look after me, but I’m a grown woman, Emma. If I want to have a one-night-stand, or likely a three- or four-night fling, I damn well will. It isn’t up to either of you.”

Emma looks away. Allison can feel her turmoil. “I know we haven’t been as close in the last six years or so—” Emma’s face pinches tight. Allison hates that she is reminding Emma of that time, but what she’s saying is true. They haven’t been as close since Emma was raped by a monster, who’d tried to take her a second time, not that long ago. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you by bringing up the past.”

Emma turns to her. “I know you don’t, Ali, and you’re right. We haven’t been as close. I know we have both grown and changed over the years.”

“Yes, we have. It’s going to shock you, but I’m okay with having a fling with Russell,” Allison says sincerely. “When we were younger, I dreamed of marriage, kids, and the white picket fence, but I’m not a kid anymore, Em. This is real life. I like Russell. I’m very attracted to him, and I know when we get there the sex will be amazing.” Emma’s eyes widen.

“You haven’t had sex with him?” Emma questions. “I thought that ship had already sailed.” Allison’s face blushes. It’s been years since she and Emma discussed their dating lives. Back then, they didn’t really have a sex life, so this is new territory for them.

“We fooled around some,” Allison admits, “but, no, we haven’t actually had sex. I’d thought it would happen last night, but we fell asleep before we got to that part.” Allison’s face is on fire. Emma is grinning, and she’s flushed, too.

“Well?” Emma looks at her expectantly. “Was it good? What you guys did?” Allison barks out a nervous laugh but nods.

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