Page 100 of Catching Feelings

“Hello? I’m over here bored out of my mind. While you get to leave this shithole of an apartment and have a social life, mine has been destroyed while I’m cooped up on this miniature couch. The least you could do is not ignore me. Miles and I were having fun before you interrupted.”

I can honestly say I’ve never been an outright asshole to anyone, especially a woman, but I’m about to go full fuck-you mode on Rowan’s sister. But for Rowan’s sake, I keep things civil.

“Sorry about that, Natalie, but your sister’s cooking, and company,” I say softer so only Rowan can hear me, “are too delicious to resist.” I lick my lips and lower my gaze to Rowan’s mouth.

She quickly lowers her gaze to her food. She does more pushing around of her lasagna than eating, and I scoop up a healthy portion and hold out my fork to her. “Open up.”

Rowan eyes the food then flicks her gaze to mine. “I can feed myself.”

“Can you?” I wink and tip my chin to her plate. “Looks to me like your fork isn’t working. And if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s fork. Open up, Row.”

This time she doesn’t try to hide her grin. Making Rowan smile lights up my entire freaking insides. She leans forwards and lets me feed her.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” I say so only she can hear me.

Her smile falters and once again, she pulls away from me. Fuck. I promised I wouldn’t push, and here I am, the first time spending time with her since our talk and already blowing it. Friends, I remind myself. That’s not something I’d say to a friend.

I mean, I compliment my friends’ wives all the time, but not like this. Not with a soft voice or the fuck me eyes. I don’t stare at their mouths wishing I could kiss them. Touch them. Hold them.

“Are you done yet? You can’t spend all night eating, Rowan. Your hips and ass will hate you for it.”

Fuck the rules. “Your hips and ass are perfect.” I don’t break eye contact with her.

If I didn’t think it would make matters worse for her and her sister, I’d tell Natalie how fucking hot Rowan is. How her body is made for loving. Formyloving. How we fit together like the cheese on the lasagna; melting together, tangled up, unable to separate.

Yeah, my analogy doesn’t even make sense in my head so maybe I’m glad I didn’t spit out the nonsense. Rowan likes when I say stupid shit like that, so maybe I will tell Natalie exactly how I feel about her sister.

When I open my mouth to reply, Rowan shoots to her feet.

“Thank you for stopping by Miles. I need to spend time with my sister now and help her get ready for bed.”

“Don’t leave on my account,” Natalie says. “You can help me get ready for bed if you want. I sure wouldn't mind.”

Rowan’s skin blanches before it turns pink. I can’t take it any longer. Picking up our dishes, I bring them to the sink and turn to face the living room.

“If I stayed, it would be to help Rowan. She busts her most perfect ass all day at work, then comes home to wait on her sister. She has a heart of gold and never asks for a single thing. While it’s tempting to shoulder some responsibility for her, I won’t because I know how much your sister doesn’t like to ask for help. However, my aunt raised me to clean up after myself. So while you two do what you need to do, I’m gonna clean up the kitchen, put the leftovers away, then get out of your hair.”

I turn my back on them, afraid I overstepped, and start washing the dishes. It’s hard to make out their conversation over the water and the clanging of pans, and I don’t even try. I’m fuming for Rowan. Fuming that she doesn’t stand up for herself. I’ve never been attracted to weak women, and while she’s anything but weak, she’s definitely defeated.

Years and years of abuse and toxicity have taken their toll on her. And where the fuck is their mother? If I remember correctly, she has a flexible schedule as a substitute teacher and should be able to take care of Natalie.

When the dishes are dried and put away, I head to the door. Natalie isn’t on the couch anymore, and Rowan comes out of the bedroom.

“Thank you for stopping by and doing the dishes. You didn’t have to do that.”

Since I already broke my promise to lay low, I brush a strand of hair out of her face and tuck it behind her ear.

“I’d do anything for you, Rowan. Except one thing.” I lean down and brush a kiss across her temple. “Stay away. I can’t stay away from you, no matter how badly you want me to.”

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