“Thank you, that is amazing.” I give Wes a sincere smile. Even though we have a past that everyone now knows about us, I want to acknowledge the magnanimous gesture that he has given us. And pretend I couldn't still remember how big his cock had been between my legs that night. Or how he'd touched my breasts like they were silk. I want to burn my face in shame. I’m not even sure how I’m still able to face him. I was a fool to thinkthat this gloriously hot, wealthy man had thought about me in a romantic way for even a second.
“You’re very welcome.” He tilts his head to the side as his eyes survey my face. “I can’t wait to hear episode one.”
“It will be fantastic.” Erica jumps off her stool and runs to Wes and hugs him. He stands up and hugs her back. “You’re the best big brother ever.”
“What about me?” Miles makes a face from the other side of the table, and she grins before shushing him.
“You’re the best big brother, the other 364 days of the year.” She giggles as she steps away and goes to hug Miles. Wes holds his arms open to me, and my heart flutters.
“So, do I get a hug, as well?” The light in his eyes makes me feel warm. The look is intimate, and I’m annoyed by how happy I am that he is asking me for a hug. Fuck. I shouldn't let my body touch his. It could combust.
“Umm, no.” I flick my fingers through my hair as I shake my head vehemently. “I still haven’t forgiven you for saying my outfit sucked earlier tonight.” I give him a teasing smile.
“I take it back. It's uniquely you.” He's still standing there, waiting, looking like a snack that I very much want to eat. FML!
"I'm not sure that's a compliment." I laugh, but then I stand up because a part of me does want to feel his arms around me. "Thank you very much for supporting our dream," I say, and almost melt into him as he places his arms around me and holds me tightly. My breasts crush against his chest, and I'm almost positive he can feel my heart racing.
“You're welcome, by the way,” he whispers in my ear and chuckles in that deep, throaty way that makes me shiver, and I look away from him. I cannot let this man get to me any more than he already has. I haven’t seen him in ages, yet all the old feelings are rushing to the forefront again. As well asthe embarrassment and annoyance. And I'm almost positive he knows it. I want to show Wes that I was over him.
"You won't regret it," I say as he finally lets me go. Our faces are close as we stand there, slightly awkwardly for a second. His eyes glance at my lips again, like he wants to kiss me.
“If I were with someone else, this would almost feel like a date.” The words are soft and husky, and the intensity of his brown eyes makes me still. He moves closer to me, and I swear he is laughing on the inside as his lips twitch. This man loves to tease me! I swallow hard and take a seat.
The candle flame on the table flickers back and forth, and I suddenly realize that this setting is far too intimate for Wes and me. He looks devastatingly handsome in his off-white shirt that just happens to accentuate every single one of his muscles. I shift on the seat to try and get away from him, and I feel my skirt riding up some more. I am not going to pull it down again. I don’t want him to think that I care. Though when his eyes navigate toward my exposed thighs, I can’t help but think that I’m literally offering myself up to this man on a platter. Again. Though, of course, I will never be in that position again. I will never give him another chance to reject me.
“It wouldhaveto be with someone else because I would never go on a date with you.” I scoff and then lick my lips nervously because he’s shifted even closer to me now.
“Never ever ever?”
“Never ever everrrr.” I nod. “I like my men to be?—”
“I’ll stop you right there.” He holds his hand up, and my heart stops as he reaches over and brushes something off my cheek. “You had some lint or something,” he says by way of explanation as my eyes narrow. What is he doing?
“Really?”
“Really, now you can continue with your thoughts. Why would you never go on a date with someone like me?” He seemspuzzled and looks at his hands. “Am I too handsome, too rich, too devastatingly charming?”
“I think the word you’re looking for is cocky. You’re too cocky.”
“I didn’t think that was a bad thing.” He winks at me. “In fact, I thought that, for most women, cocky was quite a good thing.”
“Really, Wes?” Am I too close to the candle? Is that why my skin suddenly feels feverish?
“Really, Sabrina.” He smiles widely, and then he suddenly pauses, his eyes widening in shock. “Umm, Sabrina.”
“Yes, Wes?”
“There’s something with your lips...” He leans in, and I think he’s about to kiss me. I think this because I’m delusional and slow and watch far too many crappy romance movies where the hero makes a romantic gesture at the wrong time. And because I’m stupid, I close my eyes and lean towards him. Because what else would a self-respecting woman who just told a hot man that she would never go on a date with him do? "Sabrina," he says loudly, and my eyes fly open. He looks worried.
"Yes?"
"I didn't want to say anything, but I think you've had an allergic reaction to something. Your lips are even more swollen than before." He points at me. "Right, Erica? Don't her lips look extra full?"
"Oh, shit,” Erica says, giggling as she takes in my appearance. "How much of that gloss did you use?"
"Umm, I'm not sure." I touch my lips again and groan because they do feel really thick. "Oh, shit, they're not going to stay like this, are they?"
"No." Erica shakes her head. "But it could be a few days. Oops."