21
Florence
It's nearly midnight by the time the limo drops us off at my house. I pull Josie up the steps by the hand, too much alcohol loosening my inhibitions. "You should stay. It's late." Marin opens the door, and I pull Josie in behind me. "Do you know how sexy you look in that tux?" I pop the button on her jacket just below her breast.
"I was just an accessory on your arm tonight." She winks, taking my hand and pulling it to her chest. She leans into me, softly brushing her lips across mine. "We accomplished what we needed to tonight. I don't think you need to worry about the rumors anymore." She pulls back, turning around and heading for the kitchen.
"What are you doing?" I ask, trailing behind her.
"Putting something in my stomach to soak up the alcohol. Getting some water. I need to be up in the morning for work." She unbuttons her jacket and drapes it over a dining room chair.
"You could stay." The emerald green vest under her jacket hugs her curves in all the right places, making me want her even more.
She whirls around to look at me, her hands on her hips. "Will you stop already!"
I stumble backwards, frowning.
"I'm not spending the night." She takes a step closer to me. "You know that Mel's not my ex, right? She and I are friends. We've never been more than friends."
"You wish it was more," I state flatly, swallowing hard. "If it were up to you, it would be more."
She shakes her head. "I wouldn't change anything. I love Mel. She's my best friend. She has been for seventeen years. I wouldn't change what we have for anything."
"You still want her." I know I sound jealous. I am jealous.
Her shoulders sink. "No. I'm genuinely happy for her and Renna. They're amazing for each other." She picks up her phone, typing a message. "I'd never take that happiness away from her. From either of them." She straightens her shoulders. "I need to put something in my stomach."
I step in front of her, blocking her way. "Stay," I breathe. "Please."
She closes her eyes. "Don't ask me to stay, Florence," she whispers. "I've been staring at the curve of your neck all evening. Do you know how long I fantasized about you after that first time I saw you?"
"What?" I cup her face. "What are you talking about? Open your eyes, Josie. Look at me."
"You have feelings, Florence. I want you so badly, but I don't want to hurt you." Her gaze flickers to my mouth before looking into my soul again.
"How long did you fantasize about me?" I ask roughly. "Tell me."
"Every night for months." Her words rocket heat to my core. "Every night."
"What about Mel?" I choke on her name.
Josie shakes her head. "You replaced her face when I…" Her palm is on my neck, a languid caress. "When I went to sleep at night." She swallows. "I shouldn't drink around you anymore."
She tries to turn away from me, but I hold her face. "Are you telling me you touched yourself thinking of me—for months?"
"It's only physical, Florence. I don't—"
"I don't care," I rasp, crashing my lips against hers.
She pulls away, looking at me with a ravenous hunger. "Up." Her voice is raw as she backs me up against the table and puts her hands on my waist.
She presses herself between my legs, her body suddenly hot against me. Her soft lips brush against mine. The taste of Josie and sweet wine overwhelms me.
She puts a finger under my chin, pressing up as her mouth finds the contour of my neck. Then she nuzzles the delicate skin, inhaling deeply and releasing an almost agonized sigh before she licks my skin. The heat of her tongue tickles, her hot breath sending waves of intense desire to my core.
My legs instinctively wrap around her hips, and my moans tangle with hers as she trails open-mouth kisses along my jawline, to the hollow of my neck.
I reach for her breast through too many layers of fabric, but she grabs my wrists, pinning them to the table behind me. "You don't touch. Not yet." Her voice is low, possessive. Her hand moves to cup the side of my head, holding my neck firmly against her mouth. The other hikes my dress up, fingernails raking up the inside of my thigh, making me shiver.
I open, desperate for her. Her palm grinds against me, setting me on fire as her fingers rake over my soaking panties.
"Josie, please. Fuck me. I need you inside me."
Her breath is already short and erratic. She nips lightly at my neck as she slides her hand inside the silk. "You're dripping."
She sounds wrecked.
Her fingers slip through my folds, coating her in my juices before she slides a finger inside me.
I buck against her hand. "More, Josie. Please."
Panting as she slides a second, then a third finger to fill me, I race toward the edge. She slows down, deeper, harder, pulling me back from the edge, teasing me closer, then pulling back again.
"Josie, please," I beg.
"Please what?" she asks, hot breath in my ear.
"Look at me." I need to see inside her soul. "Kiss me."
The depths of her eyes push me over the edge.