Page 19 of Connected By Stars
“I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.” He laughs as I try and knock his hat off. “Let me ask you this. Is she worth going through these uncomfortable conversations for?”
I think of Bell, and I don’t hesitate. “Yeah, she’s worth it.”
“Sounds like you found your person.” He grins at me and throws his arm over my shoulder as we walk up to Noah and James.
The four of us pile into the Uber and head to Noah’s house. We’re going to shower and change there before the girls return from the spa.
We walk into his house, and Noah gasps. “What the hell?”
Boob and penis balloons fill every corner of the downstairs, and more are on the deck out back. James and Cole start laughing as we wade through matching streamers that are hanging down. “You can’t have a bachelor and bachelorette party without at least one boob or penis decoration,” I tell Noah.
“One? You filled the whole damn place with tits and dicks. What are those?” He points to the cupcakes.
“They’re cupcakes with dicks and tits on them. Pretty cool, huh? I can’t believe you can just call someone and order a cupcake with a big penis on it. She told me they’re very popular.”
Cole and James are laughing their asses off in the corner.
Cole reaches for something in a bowl and walks over to Noah. “I think it’s only right that the losers today have to wear this all night.” He puts a lighted flashing penis necklace around his neck before doing the same with James.
“We are not wearing these,” James says, looking at Cole. “Can we at least get the boob ones?”
“Nope,” I say. “Winners get to choose.”
Cole fist-bumps me and laughs. “This is better than a trophy.”
“Way better.” I agree.
“I’m going to go take a shower. You guys should do the same before the girls get here,” he mumbles before walking away. I laugh when he swats a penis balloon out of his face on the way to the stairs.
“I’ll be back soon. I’m going to run next door to Emma’s and shower.” Cole goes out the back door to take the beach to Emma’s.
“James, you can use the bathroom in the hall right there. I’ll go upstairs and use that one.”
“Sounds good.” He gets his things and heads to the bathroom.
I look around and grin. Mom and Sage did a great job decorating. I’ll have to remember to thank them again for helping me out. I glance at my watch. The food will arrive in an hour, and the girls should be back soon to change and get ready. I grab my things and run upstairs to shower.
A short time later,I step out of the shower. Rubbing my hair with a towel, I walk out to the spare bedroom and hear Bell gasp as I look up and stop, unable to move.
She’s standing in a pink lacy bra and matching thong. The lace is so sheer I can see her nipples through it. I feel myself get hard as I meet her blue eyes staring into mine. Her eyes drop and roam my body. There’s no mistaking the hunger in them. I realize I still have the towel in my hand and just let Bell know how much I want her right now.
I put the towel around my waist, and disappointment flashes across her face. If I weren’t so shell-shocked from seeing her half naked, I probably would have laughed, but right now, I’m using all my willpower to stay put. The only thing my body wants to do is take her thong off with my teeth and taste her.
“Sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.” She picks up her dress and quickly steps into it. Does she ever wear anything I don’t imagine myself ripping off her later? She’s wearing a pale pink dress that fits her in all the right places with a cut-out under her breast, showing off her tan skin. She’sstruggling with the zipper in the back. Sighing, I walk toward her, willing myself to behave.
“Here, let me help,” I say softly. She turns around and moves her hair to the side. I close my eyes and try to steady my breathing. I’m almost afraid to touch her. The pull to her is more than I can bear, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to fight it. Opening my eyes, I slowly pull the zipper up before forcing myself to back away.
“Thanks,” she whispers.
“No problem.” I clear my throat and busy myself with getting my clothes ready.
“Maverick?” I turn and see the questions in her eyes, and I know she wants answers to what is going on between us. Answers I don’t know that I can give.
“We can’t do this now, Bell,” I force myself to say. “It’s Noah’s house, and if he found me in here with you, it would ruin his night. They deserve a good party tonight.”
“You’re right.” She looks away from me. “I’ll see you downstairs,” she says softly before walking away.
I sit on the bed and let out a long breath I’m holding. I’m two seconds away from saying fuck it and throwing my best friend’s sister on the bed, burying myself deep inside her in his own house. I’m headed straight to hell for that one. Sighing, I get up and quickly dress. I’m going to need a lot of booze tonight to make me forget what I just saw under that dress.
