Page 49 of Fight For Us
Now I was addicted.
Her soft skin under my palm as I drew her close.
The hushed exhale that escaped her lips the moment my tongue met hers.
Her taste, her smell, her sounds.
That kiss was like a single domino, toppling and causing a chain reaction.
And now she was sitting next to me—in that lipstick—pulling on my growing infatuation with her lips.
“I already took care of the check,” my father said. “If everyone’s done, we can take these two back to the house so you can get your alone time.” He finished with a not so subtle brow waggle.
I groaned. “Seriously, Dad?”
“What? I didn’t say anything.” He shrugged and gathered his box of leftovers. I turned my attention to Olivia, who’d gone quiet next to me.
“You okay?” I asked in a low enough voice that only she’d hear.
“Mhm.” She nodded, her movements stiff.
“I’ll meet you at your place,” I said once we got to the cars. Maybe the drive back would give her a chance to clear her head. My gaze lingered on her lips again until she lowered safely into the driver’s side of her car. I bent to secure her buckle, noticing her quick intake of breath as my palm grazed the top of her thigh.
“I can buckle myself, you know?”
“I know you can.”But I like to make sure you’re safe.
“Okay then.” She started the engine, and I stepped back, anxiety swirling in my gut from seeing her drive away.
Because she’s yours now, the little voice in my head noted.
I stopped at home to grab an overnight bag, unsure if we were actually going to check in to the hotel. If we didn’t, I still couldn’t stay at home. My parents would shoo me out the door like a housefly and they’d know something was up.
On my way back, I decided I’d let Olivia choose. If she didn’t want to go, I could crash on her couch. With the kids gone, we wouldn’t have to play pretend for anyone. Telling myself the lie that I didn’t care either way worked until I reached her doorstep and took one look at her in that dress again. Fuck, shewas beautiful. I’d be a moron not to want a night away with her one on one.
“Hey.” I knocked on the door as I let myself in. She was sitting at the table with a steaming mug in front of her. “Coffee?”
“Yeah, I’ll probably regret it when I can’t sleep later, but I needed one more cup.”
“Got anymore?” I asked.
“Go ahead and help yourself. There’s more pods in the drawer.” I fiddled with her half Keurig, half coffee pot contraption and started the brew. While I waited, I peeked over Olivia’s shoulder to see an email open on her phone screen. She scrolled to the bottom and blew out a breath.
“Everything okay?” God, I felt like a broken record with that question today. My vocabulary was usually better than that… It was the Olivia effect. Being in her presence siphoned my ability to think with the head on top of my body.
“Eh, could be better. Another email from the hospital billing department. Yay, happy wedding day,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
I grabbed the milk from the fridge and poured a splash into my mug. “Don’t worry about that. We’ll get it taken care of.”
“Wes,” she said softly, closing out of the email. “I don’t expect money from you. That wasn’t part of the deal.”
“Yeah, well, my money, my choice.” I smirked at the glare she threw my way. There was my Tiger. I loved to egg her on. Did that make me a bastard? Probably. But I wouldn’t be stoppingany time soon. She crossed her arms, ready to give it to me, when the door sprang open.
“What are you two still doing here?” my mother asked, waltzing inside like she owned the place. The kids and my father followed behind.
“Mom!” Alex said, moving slowly toward Olivia on his crutches. “Grandma Val and Grandpa Walt are going to let us decorate gingerbread houses with extra candy and then tomorrow there’s a Christmas party with presents!”
I eyed my parents, whose faces were lit with wide smiles.Grandma Val and Grandpa Walt.Now that was fucking adorable.
