Page 78 of Second Chance Ex
“Yes,” I mutter at the same time as my father says, “Of course not.”
Can a woman emancipate herself at twenty-five? Asking for a friend.
Joey seamlessly takes my father’s place, his hand enveloping mine, arm wrapping around me and pulling me impossibly close, his other hand splayed on the small of my back. His gaze is weighty as he stares down into my eyes, all while I try to look anywhere else, because Joey Tanner’s gaze is dangerous, especially in such a romantic setting.
“Did you actually go and request this song from the DJ?” I eye him dubiously.
“Of course not.” He grins. “I had Heather do it.”
I roll my eyes.
“I still have the t-shirt, Prue,” Joey says after a moment. “Still sleep with it, if I’m honest.”
“You do realize that’s weird, right?” I quirk a brow. “A grown man sleeping with a Jonas Brothers t-shirt.”
He simply shrugs, that same grin lingering and, frustratingly, I find my gaze raking over his handsome face. Again, thank God I’ve only had one drink because if I were drunk right now, I’m not sure I could maintain this icy air of indifference; the knowing glint in his eyes alone is doing a number on my resolve. Oh, he’s good. He’s really, really good.
“You really didn’t sleep with her,” I find myself saying after a few moments. And it wasn’t a question, more a statement, but Joey still shakes his head slowly, eyes remaining fixed on mine.
“You haven’t been with anyone.” Again, another statement to which he, again, shakes his head.
Joey leans in closer, and I feel his warm breath fan against the sensitive skin just beneath my ear as he says, “I was ruined for every other woman after the first time I ever made love to you. I knew even back then that there would never be anyone else. You were always it for me. Youareit for me, Prue.”
I’m stilted by his words said with such raw earnestness, every last sliver of determined control I possessed is quickly fading. But, if I’m honest, my resolve was gone a long time ago. At some point during the last six weeks without having Joey, especially after having him again so briefly, I think I came to terms with the fact that there’s never going to be anyone else.
Joey pulls back, and I see the tip of his tongue glide out just enough to wet his bottom lip, such a simple act I immediately feel straight through to my core. His own eyes dip from mine, down to my mouth, and back again and, wait… was that the infamoustriangle method? Did Joey Tanner justMarilyn Monroeme? Whatever it was, it worked, because Isuddenly feel like if he doesn’t kiss me right now, I might die.
I glance furtively around, my heart racing chaotically in my chest as I scramble to collect my thoughts all while trying desperately not to show how affected I truly am. Joey wants to kiss me, and I want to let him. More than anything. But not here on the dancefloor at my best friend’s wedding to the tune of fuckingJoeyplaying in the background.
Pulling out of his embrace, I clear my throat, glancing down at the floor before meeting his eyes pointedly. “I’m… going to go to the bathroom.”
It takes him less than two seconds before he catches on, a slow smile spreading across his lips. But he doesn’t say anything, just nods once, his gaze darkening as he drinks me in.
And, knowing his eyes are firmly fixed on me, I turn and walk out of the barn, adding a little extra sway to my hips as I go.
“What the hell are you doing?”I ask my reflection, staring at the woman looking back at me as if she might actually respond.
How the fuck did my best friend’s wedding turn into me standing here in a tiny bathroom, cheeks flushed, heart pounding, chest heaving, pussy aching with need, waiting with bated breath for Joey to come in and claim me in the way that only he can?
I fan myself, suddenly scorching. What the hell am I doing? This is wrong. This is so fucking wrong. I can’t do this. We can’t do this. Not here ina bathroom, right outside Madison and Ryan’s goddamn wedding reception.
Before I can come to my senses, I’m frozen by a gentle knock on the locked door. My heart launches itself up into the back of my throat as I stare at the door, considering my options. I could just ignore him and hope he gives up and walks away. Or I could open the door like an adult and tell him this was a dumb idea.
Or…I bite down hard on my bottom lip and, with a deep breath, I reach over and unclick the latch.
Joey doesn’t hesitate before slipping in as gracefully as someone his size can slip into a tiny bathroom. He locks the door and turns to me, the look in his gaze almost predatory and so fucking hot, all absurd thoughts of not doing this are suddenly nothing more than a pile of mush at the base of my brain.
With one step, Joey is right there, flanking me, his scent and everything that is quintessentially him inundates me, and I’m rendered intoxicated; drunk on Joey Tanner. He reaches out one of his big hands, gently cupping my cheek, his thumb softly stroking my skin causing my lashes to flutter.
“This isn’t it, Prue,” he says, his voice low and deep and gruff.
I look up at him, my brows pinching together, confused by his words.
“I’m not just going to fuck you in a bathroom and then go away,” he clarifies. “I’m done letting you push me away, baby.”
I swallow despite my suddenly dry throat.
He leans in, his lips ghosting against the shell of my ear. “I’m going to fuck you right here, right now, because I can tell by the way your tits are heaving, theway your cheeks are turning pink that your perfect little cunt needs me more than air.”
