Page 110 of One and Only

Greer nodded, taking another sip of her coffee. Over the rim of the mug, she studied me with a serious expression in her big eyes.

A million questions hovered over this brand-new day.

We couldn’t un-know the things we knew now, and it was clear we were both aware of it.

“I told her we’d pick up Olive in about an hour, if that works for you. We can get her on the way to your parents’.”

Greer’s expression brightened. “You’re still willing to come?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

She exhaled a laugh. “Well, last night was a little…” Her voice trailed off.

“Intense,” I supplied.

Greer nodded. “I wasn’t sure if you needed some space.”

The truth.

It was the thing between us that helped as much as it caused pain. We were telling lies to so many people, that I somehow couldn’t bring myself to tell them to her.

“I don’t know what I need,” I admitted.

Greer took such a long moment to consider my answer, her eyes so thoughtful and quiet, that I shifted in place.

“Okay.” She took another sip of coffee. “Then the distraction of my parents’ house is good. No one can get any good thinking done there.”

“Easy as that, huh?”

She carefully set the mug down and walked around the island. I braced myself when she came closer, but she didn’t touch.

“Maybe noteasy. It goes against my nature to be patient,” she told me. “But I think you already know that.”

“I might have an idea,” I answered wryly.

Her lips curved into a smile so self-deprecating, so sly, that it took every ounce of my willpower not to grab her and kiss that smile right off her face.

Every shred of restraint not to boost her onto the island and fuck her through every reservation beating through the back of my skull.

She was shorter without her shoes on, and when she tilted her chin up to look into my face, I set my jaw, hands clasped loosely at my side. Her sleep shirt was loose, and she wore no bra underneath.

I didn’t close my eyes, didn’t fight the image of her breasts pushed up by the neckline of her dress when she pulled it down.

“I have to tell you though, I might have to revise the definition of what my type is after last night,” she said, eyes glowing. “I never thought that a man who’s strong enough not to touch me could ever make me feel that good.”

Her words set off such a strong wave of longing. I didn’t feel strong. I felt weak.

She made me feel weak.

Powerless because of how much I wanted her and what I might be willing to concede if I could have her, even for a while.

“I’m not worried about whether you’re my type, Greer,” I told her.

“No?”

I shook my head, taking a calculated step back. She watched with curiosity.

“You’d ruin me, if this goes wrong,” I admitted. Her face went slack with shock. “And I can’t afford to be ruined right now. No matter how badly I want to try.”

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