Page 14 of Revive

“Thanks,” I call out.

“Goodnight,” Taylah adds on.

A quick wave over his head and he’s gone to bed, leaving us alone for the third time today.

“I’m going to sleep out here and you can take the room.”

“Sounds good.” She untangles herself and rises from the chair. Off balance, she falls, landing straight back in the chair. “Shit.”

In less than two steps, I’m crouching beside her, my hand on her knee. “Whoa there, Crazy. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “It’s been a long day, and alcohol and numb legs aren’t a good combination.”

“Here, let me walk you to the room.”

“No. No,” she insists, shaking her head. “I’m fine. Honestly.” She places her hand on my shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. “Thank you, though.” We stare at each other for two seconds too long, the alcohol-fuelled daze written on both our faces. I contemplate kissing her, knowing she wouldn’t hesitate to kiss me back. But the way I’m feeling right now, it wouldn’t be enough. She’s a woman every man wants wrapped around his dick, but I’m not fucking her in my niece’s bed and under my brother’s roof.

Softly, she brings her lips to my cheek. “Night, Sexy.”

Stuck between stop and go, I watch her sway her ass into the bedroom. At the sound of the door closing, I hang my head and let out the breath I’ve been holding onto since the moment I thought about kissing her.

Unfolding the blankets, I lay them across the couch and put the pillow in place. Shucking off my jeans, I hang them over the arm of the chair and climb under the covers. With my arms behind my head, I stare at the ceiling, my mind replaying the day.

A habit I developed after Jagger went to prison, I reminisce on everything. When Dakota got hurt, I spent days and nights agonising over every conversation I had with Jagger and Sasha. Thinking about how I missed what and who he was involved with? I have always believed that if I wasn’t so absorbed in my own feelings about the Jagger and Sasha mess I would have saved my family. Objectively I know my brother would have always done what he saw fit, but it doesn’t mean that guilt doesn’t sit deep in my chest, rising to the surface, teasing me of a life that could’ve been.

A door creaks open from behind me, the position of the couch makes me unable to see who it is until they walk past me. Long, toned, naked legs pass my head, and I have to stifle the groan that wants to leave my mouth. With no care in the world, she heads to the kitchen wearing nothing but her underwear and loose tank. Wearing lace, maroon underwear that cut across the middle of her arse cheeks, my eyes zoom in on the slight jiggle that happens with every step. She disappears into the kitchen, the sound of running water the only indication someone else is awake.

Her silhouette comes back into view, the lights that line the street breaking through the blinds, illuminating parts of her body. “No pants.”

“Shit.” She startles, her eyes finding me. “Give a girl a warning before you scare the hell out of her.”

“Sorry,” I say unapologetically. “Are you okay?” I ask her, brazenly eyeing her smooth skin.

“I needed water.”

“And the uh...?” I flick my gaze up and down, from her head to her toes, wordlessly asking the question.

“I don’t know about you, but I don’t sleep with jeans.”

“What if Jagger was out here?” I challenge.

“I thought about it, but he’s too busy fucking Emerson into the headboard right now. I figured the coast was clear.”

“And me?” I can’t pinpoint the need to constantly argue with her, but there’s something about her that has me desperate to hear the sharpness of her tongue. Her no bullshit, full of confidence, sassy as fuck mouth.

“You don’t seem to mind.” She steps closer, her eyes glancing over to my jeans. “How about we pick up where we left off this afternoon.” She takes hold of the edge of the blanket. “I can pull this off and we’ll be matching.”

I take hold of her wrist and pull her toward me until her face is only a breath away from mine. “You can tease all you want, Crazy, but we all know you can only poke the bear so much before he bites.”

“Is that a promise or a threat?”

“I’m just saying, there’s only so many times a grown man can say no.”

“And there’s only so many times a girl can handle rejection.”

“You think I’m rejecting you?” I question, amazed she would think anyone would turn her away.

“I think you’re overthinking this whole thing.”

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