Page 60 of Living for Truth
The blonde cousin, Emma, opens the door and smiles wide. “Come on in, your girl is almost ready. Elli’s just finishing up on her hair.”
I don’t know why I feel the need to clarify, “She’s notmygirl.” It sounds weak though.
Emma snorts. “Sure, big fella.” She pats me on the shoulder. “Whatever you say.”
“So, you’re from San Diego?” I ask as she slips on sandals that look three inches thick.
“Well, I’m technically from Cottonwood Heights over in the Salt Lake Valley. I’ve just lived in San Diego for the past eight years.”
“That’s cool. Do you like it?”
“I love it there.” She gives me a wistful smile. “You don’t have to make small talk with me, I’m not going to think you’re rude. I can tell you’re nervous enough.”
Oh, thank God.“Thanks. I appreciate your honesty.”
“I prefer to be blunt. Saves everyone time in the long run, even if it hurts feelings in the beginning.” She flicks some of her curly blonde hair over her shoulder.
We sit in amicable silence, listening to the muffled chatter of Elli and Hannah from the bathroom. Then Elli comes out of the bathroom and gives me a wave.
“Hey, Morgan. Hannah’s just changing into her outfit and then we can go!”
We hear the door to the bathroomclickopen, and when Hannah emerges from behind the door, I swear my jaw falls to the floor.
The black dress with little red flowers embroidered on it looks like a corset on top, lacing up in the front and pushing up her breasts in a way that makes me drool. Her lush lips are painted a bold red to match the flowers on her dress, and I try three times to look away from them before I actually succeed.
I notice she’s once again wearing the necklaceIgave her. My inner caveman is pounding his chest with pride and telling me to fully claim her.
“Wow, Hannah you look…” What word describes the way she looks? She’s great every fucking day, but today she looks… “There's not a word in any language to describe how beautiful you are.”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “Thank you Morgan.”
I don’t know how long we stare at each other, but it’s long enough that Emma claps her hands together and brings our attention back to the other two members of our party. “Alright, love birds. You can ogle each other from across the table or fondle each other under the table. I don’t really care, but let’s get going so we’re not late for Wes’s show.”
“Emma!” Hannah scolds, which just makes Elli giggle and Emma smile wickedly.
“We’ll meet you out in the car,” Emma says, dragging Elli out the door.
Hannah slips on a pair of black combat boots and grabs her purse, but before she can get out the door, I place an arm above her to keep it closed, forcing her to turn and look at me. Her chest heaves with each inhale, and it takes everything in me not to mess up her pretty red lipstick.
“I’m no good with words, Butterfly, but you look good enough to eat,” I say in a husky whisper. “If you weren’t wearing that lipstick I’d…” I trail off, not wanting to push her boundaries. I don’t know if she wants this. Wantsme.
She turns fully so her back is pressed against the door frame, her chest pressed against mine. “You’d what, Morgan?” When I don’t respond, she runs her fingers up my chest and over my shoulder, her hand shaking slightly, like she’s as nervous as I am. “It’s a lip stain, and it’s transfer-proof. So tell me, what would you do?”
I lean down so our lips are only a hairsbreadth apart and whisper, “I’d devour you, Butterfly. But if I do that now, I don’t know if I’d be able to stop, so we better get out to the car before I hand my keys to your cousins and decide to keep you in here for myself.”
Goosebumps rise along her arms as I pull away from her, and she inhales a shaky breath, then we head out the door. While she locks it, I subtly adjust myself, grateful the dark jeans somewhat hide the semi I’m sporting.
God, that was a close call.
Elli and Emma insist Hannah sits up front with me, since she’s the tallest, and on the way to the restaurant, they all chatter while I ask and answer questions where needed.
We’re seated fairly quickly at Colby’s, and Hannah and I are ushered into the same side of the booth. It’s both a blessing and a curse I won’t be staring directly at her all through dinner, but it’s a special kind of torture to have her arm brush mine when one of us moves or to feel the heat of her thigh so close to my own. When I cross my ankles, my foot nudges hers, and she startles a bit but nestles her foot close to mine instead of pulling it away.
I don’t know why that gesture makes my heart race faster.
It’s hard to focus on anything other than the close proximity of our bodies, but I manage to still be part of the conversation as we order.
They’re talking about a baptism and it makes me wonder, “You were all in it growing up, then left the Mormon church?”
