Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Kat was having the best dream.
Only it wasn’t a dream. It was real.
When her eyelids fluttered open in the early morning sun, she confirmed it. Andy was sleeping next to her. His bare chest was turned toward her. His arm lazily draped over her and resting lightly on her hip.
Holy shit.
Kat blinked hard. And then again.
Yes. It was definitely not a dream. This was real. What they’d done was real. His mouth on her pussy. The way he’d pulled so much pleasure from her—and so easily, too.
Her body shuddered just remembering how amazing he’d made her feel. But then…
She’d fallen asleep.
Kat’s hand flew up to her face, and she only barely stifled a groan. How could she have fallen asleep after what they’d done? How was it even possible that her body would shut down at such a moment when the only thing she wanted was within her grasp? How could ? —
She knew exactly how. She’d been exhausted after all the early mornings and late nights at the styling conference. She’d been going nonstop for days, and then the wine…she hadn’t had much. But then again, she hadn’t needed much. No wonder she’d fallen asleep.
She let her eyes drift over Andy’s body. His chest moved up and down as he continued to sleep peacefully, completely unaware that she was watching his every move. And memorizing every single one. The blissful memory of this moment would have to last her for years to come, because she’d meant it when she told Andy she didn’t believe in fairy tales. And she certainly didn’t believe in happy-ever-after. Not when it came to the two of them.
Kat wasn’t surprised that her instincts had been right when it came to how he’d felt about her, too. Her own crush on Andy had been building for years, but when she’d seen him at Craig’s grand opening, Kat hadn’t missed the way Andy looked at her. Like he saw her for the very first time. She’d noticed the way his nostrils flared, just a little bit. And the way his pupils dilated when she’d tossed her hair.
She’d seen every bit of it.
Because she’d been watching.
As much as Kat would have liked to lay there and watch Andy sleep all morning, the growing pressure of her bladder had other ideas. She’d take a moment to freshen up and then she’d wake him up. After all, she wasn’t anywhere near finished with him. They’d agreed on happy for right now, and as far as Kat was concerned, there was a lot more happiness to be had for both of them.
With a grin on her face, she slipped from the bed and padded out to the living room where she’d left her purse.
It wasn’t until she was safely in the privacy of the bathroom that she pulled her phone from her purse.
Six missed calls and at least ten text messages. All from her best friend back home, Annie Darling.
She hesitated to tell her best friend what had happened, but only for a second before quickly typing in a text to Annie.
Kat: You’ll never believe where I am right now.
It only took seconds for Annie to reply.
Annie: Andy’s bed.
A laugh bubbled up from her throat, but Kat covered her mouth quickly. Annie knew her too well. As her best friend for pretty much her entire life, Annie had been subjected to far too many I’m so in love with Andy conversations and late- night text messages. She’d also been the one to encourage Kat to finally put her infatuation with Andy behind her. No matter what it took.
Which was a big part of why Kat had found the courage to… well …it was pretty much the entire reason she was there.
Kat: His bathroom. I just woke up. Next to him.
Kat could practically hear Annie squealing from miles away. Still, she didn’t want to give her the wrong idea.
Kat: We didn’t have sex. I fell asleep.
Annie: Seriously?
Annie’s response came with a wide-eyed emoji.
Kat: Can’t talk .
Kat typed quickly.
Kat: I need to get back.
She put her phone down and rushed through a morning routine in Andy’s bathroom. She used a squeeze of toothpaste on her finger to freshen her mouth and splashed some water on her face. It was only when she was about to leave to return to Andy’s side that she picked up her phone again and saw Annie’s text.
Annie: Maybe you shouldn’t. Maybe it’s not a good idea, Kat.
Not a good idea? It was the best idea. Besides, she was already feeling lighter, like she could successfully move on from the childhood crush that had held her back for far too long. That was the whole point of this, after all. She’d already managed to convince herself that she was fine never getting her happy ending with Andy, but that didn’t mean she shouldn’t see this through.
The click of the bathroom door woke him up. Andy took a few minutes to blink the sleep from his eyes and come fully awake. He stretched his arm across the bed. The sheets were still warm with the memory of Kat’s body.
Falling asleep next to her had been…too damn good. In fact, he’d fought sleep for hours so he could watch her and memorize the slight rise and fall of her chest, and the cute way her breathing got deeper until she woke herself up with a little start. Not quite a snore, but…damn, it was sexy.
Not as sexy as it would be to have her beneath him while he?—
His phone chimed on the bedside table where he’d left it plugged in the night before.
The second he looked at the screen, Andy regretted it.
Craig. Kat’s big brother. And his best friend.
Craig: Hey. Were you able to see Kat last night?
Did he ever? Shit.
Andy: Sure did. Cooked her dinner.
There was no point to add unnecessary details.
Craig: Thanks, man. I know it’s dumb, but I worry about her in the city alone. Glad she has you to look out for her while she’s there.
Andy couldn’t bring himself to respond. Instead, he put the phone down face-first on his nightstand as guilt flooded through him at what he’d done.
How had he talked himself into what had happened? He knew better. Dammit. He’d always known better.
But Kat had looked so damn good and so grown up and…they weren’t kids anymore, and…
It didn’t matter how he tried to justify it. He’d crossed a line with Kat, and he knew it. Hell, he’d known it when it was happening.
He couldn’t change what had happened. But he could prevent the situation from getting worse. There were certain things he’d never be able to come back from.
Down the hall, he heard the toilet flush and knew he had to move quickly. His entire body was screaming to stay in bed and finish what they’d started the night before. But with Craig’s untimely reminder that he’d just broken the number-one rule of best friends, there was no way that would be happening now.
Andy quickly grabbed a pair of jeans and a clean T-shirt, dressed in record time, and sprinted to the kitchen only moments before the bathroom door opened and Kat padded down the hallway. She had her back turned to him as she headed to the bedroom, which afforded him a very nice view of her backside. He swallowed hard, turned away, and busied himself by filling the kettle.
“Andy?”
“I’m in the kitchen.” He forced his voice to be light and easy. The worst thing he could do now was make it a thing . They’d had an amazing night, but that was all it could be. Besides, hadn’t she said it herself? Happy for right now.
If his throbbing cock was any proof, he was definitely not happy at the moment. But there didn’t seem to be any other option.
Kat appeared a few minutes later, wearing one of his T-shirts. The fabric hit her upper thighs, barely covering her sweet pussy.
Andy swallowed hard and forced himself to look away. “Coffee?”
“I didn’t think you were awake yet.” There was a question in her voice that he chose to ignore. “I was hoping you’d be?—”
“I’m starving.” He cut her off. “And I’m dying for a cup of coffee.” He took the now boiling kettle and poured it over the grounds he’d prepared in the coffee press. “You still take yours with four sugars and three creams?”
She laughed, the sound filling the space between them. “Not since I was a teenager. I drink a much more adult, two sugars with one cream, now.”
She’d moved so she stood next to him. Her hand reached tentatively for him, as if she were feeling out the situation in the light of day.
He couldn’t blame her after his hasty exit from the bedroom. Still, he hated that she was questioning things.
“That is much more mature,” Andy said as he turned to face her. With one hand, he cupped her chin and kissed her tenderly. He was way past playing with fire, especially considering he knew exactly what could happen if he wasn’t careful. It was a fine line between throwing her over his shoulder and picking up where they’d left off, and the much more responsible behavior, concluding this little…whatever it was…in the best possible way. “I had a lot of fun last night, Kitty Kat.”
“So did I.” She pressed her lips to the tender skin beneath his ear and purred, “But I don’t think we’re done having fun yet.” Her hands trailed down his side, and his entire body vibrated under her touch.
A groan escaped his lips, and he swallowed hard. Turning away from her would be the hardest thing he’d done in a very long time. But there was no other option.
Andy captured her hands in his and held them between them. “I would love nothing more than to continue what we started last night, Kitty Kat.” He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “But I totally forgot I offered to pick up a shift at the clinic this morning. It’s not my usual shift, but I need the hours and…damn. I’ll call in sick.”
“No.” She stopped him, the way he knew she would. “Don’t call in sick. Especially if you’re covering for someone. That’s not fair. And I know you need the hours.” Her pretty lips curled down in a frown, but she caught herself quickly. “Do we have time for a coffee at least?”
Andy once more pressed his lips to hers in a sweet kiss. At least until they stepped out the door of his apartment, they could have this. “Of course we have time.” He released his hold on her and stepped back. “Go get dressed. It’ll be ready in another minute or so.”
Kat dressed slowly, taking her time to pull the skintight dress up and over her body before tugging her long hair back into a ponytail.
It’s for the best.
She’d been repeating the same four words over and over since walking away from Andy, and she was finally starting to believe them.
Yes, she was disappointed. Beyond disappointed. Why had she fallen asleep?
It would be a question she’d be asking herself for a long time, she was certain. Still, it had been a fun night. And even if it hadn’t happened exactly the way she’d fantasized about, her girlhood dream of being with Andy Fisher had come true. And that really was something. Besides, now it was done and out of her system, and she could move on.
Andy would always hold a special place in her heart. He’d forever be the standard she held all men to. If they’d actually made love, Kat couldn’t imagine that she’d ever be able to find a man who could come close to meeting the expectations he would have set for her.
“Yes,” she told her reflection. “Definitely for the best.”
With a smile on her face, she left his bedroom and joined Andy in the kitchen.
He handed her a cup of coffee. “You know what? I’ve always thought you had the best smile.” His hand brushed her arm and lingered for a second. “I noticed it the very first time I met you.”
“You did not.”
“I did.” He sat down across from her. “And then every time I came over after that, I made it a point to make you smile. Especially if Craig upset you.”
“He always upset me.” Kat shook her head.
“That’s what big brothers do.”
“I guess.” She shrugged. “And that certainly hasn’t changed.”
“I bet it hasn’t.” Andy’s voice dropped. “And I’m sure he’s just as protective of you as always.”
There was something in his voice that Kat couldn’t quite read.
“He is.” She set her coffee down and looked Andy in the eyes. “If you’re worried about him being upset about what happened…” she started. “Don’t. He never has to know. In fact, he never will know.” She waited until she saw the acknowledgment on his face. “I meant what I said last night, Andy. We’re all grown up now and this…last night…that’s all it ever needs to be. All it ever will be. I’m not looking for the fairy tale. ”
Not with you, she almost added, but bit down on her bottom lip to keep from blurting it out.
Andy reached across the table and took her hand in his. He threaded their fingers together. “How did you put it…happy for right now?”
She grinned and nodded. “You got it.”
“And are you?”
He looked at her with so much expectation on his face, Kat wasn’t sure what he was hoping the answer would be.
“I am,” she answered honestly. She waited for his response, hoping that he was all right with what had happened between them. But even if he wasn’t, for any reason at all, Kat would be okay. She’d made her decision long before accepting his dinner invitation, and no matter what Andy’s response would be, she would be fine with it because she really and truly was good with it.
After a moment, Andy’s lips curled up into a smile. “Me too.”
He squeezed her hand one more time before releasing it, and Kat knew that signified the end of their time together.
She left her coffee, abandoned on the counter, and prepared herself to leave. “Thank you again for dinner, Andy. After a busy week in the city, it really was the best way to end my trip.” And then, feeling a little wicked, she added, “And dessert was truly delicious.”
He laughed out loud. “You’re nothing but trouble.”
“You have no idea.” She winked at him and blew a kiss in his direction.
Andy walked her to the door and opened it. Right before she moved to walk out, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into him.
She was breathless while he kissed her.
“You really are something special, Kitty Kat.”
“I know.”
They both laughed.
“You are, too, Andy,” she added more seriously. “Honestly. Thank you for…well, thanks for the great night. Next time you’re in town, ice cream at the Sugar Shack is my treat.”
He shook his head, and she laughed again.
If she were being honest, it surprised her a little how okay she was with the way things were being left between them. But she was. It felt right and like it couldn’t have happened any other way.
“Bye, Andy.”
She turned and stepped into the hallway of his building.
“Kitty Kat?”
She turned slowly to face him.
“I get the whole happy-for-right-now thing,” he said softly. “But I really hope that one day you do believe in happy endings, because you deserve nothing less.”
Kat let the smile lift her lips as she took his words in. “You never know, Andy.” She blew him a kiss in an effort to hide her true feelings. “Anything could happen.”