Page 60 of Love You From Afar

“You’re going to pay for that,” she grits out. A devious grin stretches across her face as she runs towards me at full speed. She’s less than two feet away when she winds up her arm.

“Hey! That’s an unfair advantage—” I’m cut off mid-sentence by a massive snowball drilling me smack in the forehead.

“I don’t remember setting any ground rules,” she chuckles, lifting up on her tiptoes to rub the excess snow into my hair. She grunts out a breath as she spreads the damp powder into my scalp, giving me the hardest noogie I’ve had since grade school.

I reach down and grab her hips, spinning her until her back thumps against my truck. She finally drops her hands as I cage her in, gliding my hands up to cup her beautiful face. Her cheeks are tinted pink from the cold, her heavy pants blowing warmth against my skin.

“M-move your hands,” she shivers, gliding her hands up my forearms to grip my wrists. “S-so cold,” she adds. She grits her teeth, trying her hardest to pull my hands away from her cheeks.

“Fair is fair, angel,” I grin, arching a brow. Melted snow falls from my hair like water before dripping down to her rosy cheeks. “I’m pretty sure my hair will be wet for the next thirty minutes because of you. At least you can dry your face off.”

Her eyes flicker between mine as she pulls her plump bottom lip between her teeth. Her chest rises and falls with heavy breaths as she studies my face.

“I have to admit…” she gulps, clearing her throat. “Snow hair is a good look on you.” She reaches up, twirling a strand of my messy hair around her finger.

“Are you trying toflirtwith me?” I taunt, stepping closer until my erection presses against her belly. I give up on trying to hide my attraction to her. She already knows what she does to my body. She already knows that she drives me fucking crazy.

She gasps the second she feels my hard cock press against her. She slides her hand into my hair, tangling her fingers through my damp locks. Her tongue darts out, licking her bottom lip as her eyes flicker down to my mouth.

“Fuck it,” I hiss, tightening my grip on her jaw as I tug her mouth to mine. It’s been three long years since I’ve tasted her lips, and I can’t wait another second. Her mouth barely brushes mine when we’re startled by a blaring horn. My shoulders jerk as I pull away, searching for whoever the hell just honked at us.Maybe I should be thanking them,I think to myself. Just another sign from the universe that I shouldnotbe kissing Skylar Wood.

I squint my eyes, my gaze narrowing in on the truck parked directly behind me. An angry driver tosses up his arm, leaning his head out of the window.

“Get a room! You’re blocking the air pump,” he shouts, pushing his pointer finger to the air pump behind me. My gaze darts back to his truck, noticing the almost flat tire. I would probably be losing my shit if I was in his situation. Changing a flat tire in twenty-degree weather would be pure torture.

“Shit,” I curse. “Sorry, man. We’re leaving now,” I shout back. I give Skylar’s hips a tight squeeze, before releasing my hold on her waist.

“Let’s go, Sky,” I whisper, placing a soft kiss to her cheek.

It’s not the kind of kiss I wanted to give her, but I’ll take what I can get. Especially when I know it’s all we’ll ever have.

SEVENTEEN

Skylar

The rest of the drive to Denver, I think about how Everett almost kissed me twice in the span of forty-eight hours. I think about how much I despise the fact that we were interrupted both times… ripped away from a moment we’ve been craving for years.I think about how we’re running out of time.

The “Denver City Limit” sign comes into view as stunning, white-capped mountains tower in the distance, a sobering reminder that our timeisup. I think about how we’ll most likely never be in a situation like this again, forced to spend hours alone together. I wish I had an excuse to ride back home with him, but I don’t.

The bride is keeping the decorations after the wedding, and my flight home is already booked. I think about how ironic it is that I loathed the idea of this road trip with Everett but now, I would give just about anything to have one more day alone with him. I would happily go through another blizzard or stay in a shitty motel room, as long as I’m with him.

The stunning Denver skyline comes into view, the skyscrapers a somber reminder that we’re only minutes away from the heart of the city. Of course, Elliot booked a room in the nicest, most expensive hotel in the downtown historic district. Rocky mountains frame the tall buildings as the setting sun sparkles against the glass architecture. I should be enjoying the stunning view, but instead, I feel a sharp pain in my chest, splintering deeper the closer we get.

Once I get out of this truck, Everett and I will go back to quick glances and acting like complete strangers. So I turn my head and stare at Everett, taking in every inch of the beautiful man sitting next to me.

I study his thick curls resting against his forehead, looking almost golden as the sunset gleams across the strands. I memorize the way my veins simmer with heat every time our gazes meet, four eyes igniting with blue fire. I choke down a whimper at the memory of his lips and coarse stubble scratching against my skin. I want to reach out and touch him when I think about his strong arms pulling me in, holding me tight. I want to beg him to turn around and take us home.But there is no us,I remind myself.There never was.I’m supposed to marry his brother in less than six months.

“Well, we’re almost there,” Everett says in a low tone. His raspy voice cuts through the silence like a polished knife. My eyes flicker to his to see his expression mirroring mine. Pain, sorrow, disappointment… regret. Emotions that we know all too well.

“Yup,” I croak, trying my hardest to keep my voice from cracking. The sound of a blinker matches the thumping of my heart as we exit the highway.

“Turn right on Ash Street in half a mile. Your destination will be on the right.”Siri’s robotic voice flows through the speakers. My hand flies to the radio, turning the volume all the way down. I don’t want to hear her stupid reminders right now. I don’t want to hear that we’re less than a minute away.

“I, uh… I’m going to stop by the venue after I drop you off to deliver the arbor,” he croaks. “I can bring your boxes of decorations with me. I thought that would be easier than you having to lug them around everywhere. I know you said you didn't trust me with them but—”

“I trust you,” I cut him off, giving him a half smile. “That would be nice. Thank you, Everett.”

He arches a brow, pursing his lips together. “That was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Are you sure you aren't running a fever or something?” He chuckles.

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