Page 78 of Addicted Lies

“Of course, assuming it’s made with love,” I mumble around a mouthful, and Jewel bites her bottom lip.

“See? Made with love!” She points at Eli, clearly upset he hasn’t trusted her cooking before now. Even though I know she didn’t make a damn one of these items.

I lean in closer to Billie. “Tastes just like yours,” I whisper. She looks away and starts arranging the cakes.

“I just have to move this to the table. I’ll be back.” She lifts a tray full of cupcakes and walks out, giving me the back view of one of her silky sundresses.

When she’s gone, Eli begins pressing kisses down his wife’s neck. He’s certainly hungry for something, but it’s not cake.

Swallowing the last bite of the cookie, I wipe my hands and then follow the little bundle of chaos. She’s arranging the table with her sweets as I walk around it, so I’m directly in front of her.

I’ve missed the pink on her cheeks when she’s flustered, and I can tell she certainly wasn’t prepared to see me today. It’s obvious by the way she tries to ignore me. Again.

Fuck. I’ve missed her.

“Chaos?” She shakes her head and fixes her attention on the cookies that really don’t have to be rearranged. “Do you plan to ignore me forever?”

“Forever sounds pleasant. Even when we’re in hell,” she says with an insincere smile, still staring at the table.

“There’s my girl.” I’m proud of her for being unable to hold her vicious viper tongue.

Her hand pauses at my use ofmy girl.

“Is there something you needed?” She finally meets my gaze, and I can’t fight the smirk that slowly grows on my lips. She has icing above her lip, and the only thing I can think about is how I want to lick it off.

“Little tornado!” Hawke bounces into the room and throws an arm over her shoulders. Ivy enters directly behind him, and the girls look at one another, confused.

“I thought you were in Ibiza,” Billie says.

“I was. I had this feral animal pick me up from the airport because I decided to come back a day early.” She points at Hawke.

“Is it all sweet?” Hawke asks, sounding judgmental.

Billie hooks a thumb over her shoulder. “There’s more in the kitchen.” Her tone is nicer for him than it is for me.

Hawke smiles wide, like he just won the lottery, and makes for the kitchen.

“I need a drink. An hour in the car with that asshole will drive anyone insane,” Ivy says, giving Billie a hug. She then nods to me. “I still have no idea how the two of you can be related. Like chalk and cheese.”

“Not by choice,” I reply, and she laughs as she follows Hawke. Billie seems even more pissed now that I’ve made Ivy laugh.

I move so I’m standing next to her again, and she turns to face me. She doesn’t pull back as my thumb rubs above her top lip, wiping away the icing. I’m past the point of caring who sees us. I don’t give a flying fuck anymore. I’ll take whatever I can from her.

Ineedher.

“You’ve been avoiding me.” I lean in, my mouth moving closer to hers. Touching the side of her face, I lick the top of her lip as she takes a sharp inhale. Hawke calls out my name, and I pull back. “All gone.” I smile at her stunned expression.

I can tell the moment her shields start to lower. She’s letting me in slowly, and I’ve been working on them for the better part of a month. “Do you want me to stop touching you?” I ask.

Please, God, do not say no.

She says nothing.

“Billie.” Her eyes find mine. “I really miss touching you.” I put my hand on her hip, and her eyelids flutter like she’s in a trance. I slide it up her side, admiring the smooth feel of her dress and everything I know is beneath it. But it’s not just her body. It’sher.

And I’m so starved that I’ll eat any crumbs she’ll give me.

If I were a better man, I’d actually let her go.

---