Page 46 of Run to Me
“Let’s get this little tour of yours over with then.” He walks back into the living room and I follow, nearly running into him several times as we head up the stairs.
Tan carpet has replaced the wooden floor on each step we walk up, leading all the way to our rooms. New decor is scattered across the walls and there’s a plant in the corner I don’t recognize. Nate leads us into his room first, and the only thing that’s changed are the curtains. Hanging above his bed and covering his window are the same sets he texted me a picture of. They’re tacky in person, managing to drag another smile from me. As awful as they are, they’re perfect.
I run my hands along the too-busy pattern, sparks bouncing between us when his fingers touch a spot so close to mine our skin brushes together.
“I brought them here after I moved out of the apartment. I thought they belonged here. Where we were last together.”
A flutter settles in my stomach and I trace above his wedding band. “They’re perfect.”
His lips twitch in the corners and he leaves his hand where it is, allowing me to drag my fingers along the pulse point of his wrist. I’ve kissed him there plenty of times before, his skin the perfect mixture of salty and sweet on my tongue.
“You wouldn’t have changed them if you’d come home?”
“I’m not sure what I’d have done then, but I know I wouldn’t change them now. I actually think they’d look great in my office.”
“You have an office?”
“Kinda.” I shrug. “The closest thing to one. It’s in the old barn. Uncle Judd had no use for it anymore so I turned it into my own space. I even sleep in there sometimes, on a cheap futon. I like being close to the animals. Their sounds might keep others up at night but I find them soothing.”
“I could see that. I mean, they did invent frog machines for a reason,” he teases, giving me more of his arm to caress, to mark up with my skin.
“I need to stop,” I say, sliding my fingers under the sleeve of his shirt, touching slightly above his nipple.
His body quivers, breaths short and fast. “You should.”
“I need you to stop me,” I say between pants, tracing around his areola.
“I’ve never been good at it before. What makes you think I would be now?” His bright blue eyes darken, lips parting as he sucks in a breath from me tugging at the hard nub.
“And I’ve never been able to resist you.”
“I never asked you to,” he says between soft moans, writhing against my hip. His cock digs into my inner thigh as I turn more into him and brush my lips along his collar bone, licking a stripe into his skin.
His fingers slide into my hair and his lips pause in front of mine. “Why did you really come here?”
“Because deep down inside I was hoping you didn’t really move on from me.”
“I didn’t. I can’t. I’ve tried so many times.”
“Why would you do that if it doesn’t feel wrong?” I rasp, holding him at a distance when he tries to bring his mouth closer.
“I did it for you. I tried for you. I thought it was the only way I could at least have my brother back.”
I rub my nose over his, pressing our foreheads together. “You’ve always had me.” I shove him back into the bathroom, closing the door behind us before pressing his back to the shower glass. “I’ve never stopped wanting to be yours in every way, and that’s the problem.”
“Is it?” His breaths are hot on my neck. “Because I don’t see one. In fact, all problems disappear whenever I’m with you.” He claims my mouth with his, thrusting his tongue alongside mine. His hand slides up my shirt, fingers pressing to my skin as he deepens the kiss and I lose myself in the warmth of his mouth. Breaths heavy and syncing together, our teeth clash. When his hand slides between us, reaching for my belt, I stop him, pushing at his chest with my palm.
“You have a fiancé.”
His eyes blink rapidly, and he runs a hand through his hair. “I . . . That could be changed. I would never have said yes if you’d shown up sooner.”
“I’m glad you did,” I lie. “He’s what you need. Not me. I do want to be in your life again but it shouldn’t be like this.”
“How should it be then? You watching me marry someone else and me picturing your face on my honeymoon?”
“You need a brother. That’s what you need from me. You have him for everything else. You told him yes after all.”
“Because you weren’t here. Because I thought you were no longer an option.”
