Page 54 of Under My Skin
I sit forward and clasp my hands in front of my lips, my foot bouncing against the wooden floor. “Because you’re his sister, Luce. He’s protective of you.”
She scoffs. “I love Simon, but I don’t think he’s ever ‘protected’ me from anything.” She puts air quotes around the word. “And besides, we’re all adults. It’s not like I’m going to steal you away from him.”
I nod as I take in her words, but they don’t bring me much comfort. Simon’s already been suspicious of something going onbetween us, and we both told him no. That simple truth just turned into a lie, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
I must be quiet for too long because Lucy catches me off guard, climbing into my lap and straddling me. I relax my position to make room for her, but my heart is in overdrive. “Luce,” I say in a weak attempt to protest.
“No,” she says firmly. She rests her arms on my shoulders, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of my neck and goose bumps scatter down my spine.
Why does everything have to feel so good? “What are you trying to do to me?”
She shifts her weight slightly, and my cock begs for more friction. “Look,” she says with all seriousness. “If you want to forget this, I’m fine with that, but it has to be because that’s what youwant. Don’t think about Simon or anyone else. What doyouwant?”
It’s such a simple question, but I don’t know how to answer. She doesn’t get it. It’s not just about me. My actions affect people. My decision to avoid my mom’s house had a direct impact on her, and doing anything more with Lucy will have a direct impact on Simon. And I’m probably still too much of a mess to be with anyone. What if I let her in and then I shut down again? What if I push her away the same way I pushed away my ex? Simon would never forgive me if I hurt her. “There’s more to it than that.” It’s all I can bring myself to say.
She frowns, but she doesn’t look annoyed with my answer like I thought she might. Her eyes search mine, but I don’t think she’ll find what she’s looking for. I don’t think I can offer anyone much of anything right now. “What if I wasn’t his sister?”
“But you are.”
She shakes her head. “How would things be different if I wasn’t Simon’s sister?” Her expression is so open and vulnerable. She isn’t asking it like she’s trying to force something out of me,she’s looking at me with those big, blue eyes like she genuinely wants to know.
My fingers twitch against the outside of her shirt as I grip her waist. They’re dying to slip under the material and drag over her smooth skin. I want to explore her every curve, but instead, my grip tightens where it is. I keep my stare fixed on my hands like if I look away, they might misbehave. By the time I answer, my voice is rough from the strain of holding back. “If you weren’t Simon’s sister, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”
It’s the truth. I haven’t felt this good around someone in a long time. I might have been able to distract myself from time to time, but this is different.Lucyis different, and if I didn’t think it was such a bad idea, there’s no way I would have stopped kissing her.
When she doesn’t say anything, I dare to look up and check for her reaction. Her teeth dig into her bottom lip, and without thinking, I gently pull it free with my thumb.
“Maybe I don’t want to talk.”
“Luce . . .” I say, my tone warning.
She runs her hands through my hair as she continues. “If you don’t want Simon to know, don’t tell him. No pressure. No expectations. If it falls apart, nothing changes.”
My resolve wanes with every word. I should tell her no. I shouldn’t see her as anything more, but as much as I try to hold onto that thought, it seems to waver the longer I look at her. Because in this moment, I don’t see her as anything other than who she is.
Lucy.
And right now, she feels a little likemy Lucy, which might be even better. Reaching for a lock of blonde hair that’s fallen over her shoulder, I gently rub my thumb over the strands. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Then don’t.”
I meet her stare again. She makes it sound so simple. Maybe it is. Maybe it could be.
“Everett,” she says, her voice low as she leans toward me. “Please don’t treat me like I’m anyone’s sister.”
Hearing her say my name is like finally having a soft place to land. That’s all it takes for my resolve to snap. Before I can talk myself out of it, my mouth is back on hers. The sweet smell of her fills my senses, lavender and vanilla. She gasps at the contact, and I take full advantage of her open mouth. My tongue drags over hers, deep and dominating.
Her body arches into mine, her hips tilting in a delicious way that has the front of my jeans tightening. “How do you want me to treat you?” I ask against her lips before going back for more. Her lips are soft and perfect in the way they move against mine. I don’t want to pull away, but I move to kissing her neck to give her a chance to answer. She struggles to catch her breath, and her fingers weave into my hair, gripping it at the roots. A soft moan leaves her lips when I claim the spot just below her ear, and that sound alone shoots straight to my groin. I need her to make it again.
“Treat me like I’m yours for the taking,” she finally says through heated breaths.
My Lucy.
I pause, my lips lingering on her neck before pulling back to look at her. Delicate pink patches of flushed skin decorate her cheeks and neck as her chest quickly rises and falls with each breath. Her blue eyes look a shade darker than usual, and everything about seeing her this way fuels me to want to keep exploring her body until I’ve tasted every patch of skin and heard every sound she makes.
But my eyes still search hers. Two days ago, I wouldn’t give her a tattoo because I knew it was a reckless decision she’d later regret. I don’t want her to regret this. She seems to have come to better terms with everything going on, but I can’t tell if how badly I want her is clouding my vision.
Seeming to read through my hesitation, she nods, answering anunspoken question. I groan, and my hands move to cup her perfectly round ass, loving the way she fits there. God, I want her.
