11. Chapter 11
11
L istening to Tyson and Blake bicker for the last two hours has been torturous. And I thank God my sister and I aren’t like that. What’s more painful than the Miller siblings going at each other’s throat though, is not knowing what the hell happened to Libby’s face. I know who , but I need to find out how . How the fuck was he able to lay a hand on her? And who the fuck made him think it was okay?
Walking out of the restaurant, I eat up the space and fall in step with Libby. “You’ve been quiet,” I say, leaning closer to her ear so I can keep my voice low. I don’t want either Miller cutting into this sliver of time I’m getting with her.
“I’m not much of a talker,” she quips, her eyes flicking to me for only a moment. But it's not enough. I need more of her attention. More of her.
“It was a little hard to get a word in with Thing One and Thing Two going at it.” She gives a quiet giggle and my heart melts a little.
I’ve been dying to see Libby again. The last week has been the longest of my life. Work has been busier than normal, which helped in keeping my sanity in check and not showing up at her doorstep on day two. Owning your own construction company makes it hard to check out in the middle of projects. But when Tyson mentioned Libby was coming with his sister to dinner, I may or may not have invited myself.
Getting back to our cars, Blake and Tyson don’t say two words to each other as they part ways to their respective vehicles. Wanting to draw out our time together as much as possible, I take a long stride and pivot on my heels so I’m in front of Libby. “I’m happy I got to see you tonight,” I say, putting my hands in my pockets to keep from touching her.
Her eyes drop to the ground before returning to meet mine, fiddling with the buckle on her purse as it hangs at her waist. “It was nice to see you, too.” Libby’s cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink, except where her fresh bruise is that she’s tried to hide under her makeup. My blood heats before Tyson chimes in.
“You coming to my game tomorrow, LB?” He shouts from where his Audi is with the windows down.
A trace of a smile spreads across her face as she turns towards him. “Tyson Miller, you know I don’t like going to those things.”
“Oh, come on,” he whines, “you haven’t gone to one for over a year. I need my good luck charm.” He winks and I try to suppress the anger that boils from him being so flirty with Libby.
“I’m here with Blake.” Libby shrugs her shoulders like it's just too unfortunate. “I doubt she wants to go, either.”
“B!” Tyson shouts across the parking spaces between them. Blake’s eyes roll as she turns to look at him from her spot in the driver’s seat. She has music blaring, but her windows are also down, thanks to the rarely warm April evening.
“You gonna watch me ball tomorrow? It's the last game of the season.” The answer is on Blake’s face before she opens her mouth, and Tyson cuts her off. “For Libby’s sake, not yours. The girl deserves to let loose.”
That has Blake eyeing Libby, who I can’t quite read. “Fine. But we’re staying with you unless you’re paying for a hotel. I’m not driving back to Thibodaux just to be back here tomorrow.”
“Little Bird in my house? You don’t have to ask me twice.” Tyson nearly bounces out of his seat. My rage fumes higher, but it’s dulled when Libby turns to look at me again.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me.” God I hope so . Her face is innocent, but her eyes are dancing. There she is. The girl I saw on FaceTime is here and staying in my house tonight. I suppose I should thank Tyson. I won’t though, not when he thinks it’s okay to wink at my girl.
My knee is bouncing as we pull up to the townhouse. The girls are following behind us, but I need Libby closer. I don’t know how I’m going to survive a night under the same roof as her. Or how I’m going to let her go once tomorrow comes.
As soon as we park, I’m out of the car and making a line to Libby’s door. I open it for her and hold my hand out. She looks up at me with round eyes and plump lips that I want to consume. But she places her hand in mine and all thoughts leave my mind as my fingers burn where she’s touching them. Fuck. I won't be able to deny this for long. My body has already made up its mind.
A ghost of a smile spreads across her face as I gently pull her out of the car and towards the stairs, never letting go of her hand. The need to keep her close is as crucial as keeping air in my lungs. There really isn’t any other option. We make it to the door before the other two, and I quickly unlock it and guide her inside, making sure to shut it behind us. Being alone with Libby drives me wild. And I want as much of it as possible.
“I’ve never been inside Ty’s place before. It’s so… clean.” The comment is both adorable and frustrating. It’s cute that she’s amazed at the cleanliness, but this isn’t just Tyson’s place anymore. It makes me wonder if she isn’t phased about being in what is technically my home too.
“Can I show you something?” The need to keep her to myself is intensifying. Blake and Tyson will be inside any second, just as soon as they finish whatever argument they were having when we left them by the cars.
Libby looks at our hands that are still joined before looking up at me and nodding. “Sure,” she says quietly.
I lead her out to the back deck. Tyson lives in a bustling area, which is not my style, so I do what I can to find solace. Opening the sliding glass door, I usher her through it and wait for her reaction. She doesn’t disappoint when she takes in the sight of the Mighty Mississippi rushing by, illuminated by the city lights. An audible gasp escapes her beautiful mouth, and she lets go of my hand to grab the rail.
“Pretty great, huh?” I whisper when I come up behind her. My hands are twitching to wrap around her, but I place them on the rail on either side of her instead, trapping her between my arms. She visibly tenses, and I let my eyes trail over every inch of her I’m able to take in. A wind blows and her scent wraps around me like a vise. Like it's trying to tell me something I already know: I won't be able to let her go.
“It’s so beautiful.” Her voice is breathy, causing my groin to ache. “I’ve never seen the river look so pretty.” From my view over her shoulder, I see her chest rise and fall, as if she really has had her breath taken away. The same effect she has on me.
"Tell me, Libs," I coax. Her icy blues peer up at me for a brief moment before she tries to look away, but I catch her chin so she can't. I search her eyes, hoping to god that she won't dismiss my request. I trail my thumb across her cheek and she closes her eyes. "Tell me how it happened."
"I can't," she whispers, still refusing to look at me.
"You can tell me anything." I gently turn her so her body is facing mine. Having her this close, mere centimeters from touching my body, makes it hard to not claim her here and now. But I won't. Not when she is still this shaken up. So much so that she won't look at me. I use my other hand to cup the opposite side of her face. "Open your eyes, beautiful." She does what she's told, and I'd be lying to say the thought doesn't go straight to my dick. "I'm here." I look deep into her eyes, hoping she can feel my words. "You just have to let me in."
Our peaceful moment is cut short when the glass door slams open, causing Libby to jump and my arms instinctively tighten around her and her hands land on my chest. The whole world stops. For a moment that feels like an eternity, I have her in my arms. She's exactly where she needs to be, exactly where I need her to be. The feel of her body pressed against mine sends tendrils of ecstasy straight to my groin and she pierces me with her eyes. I don't know if she feels what I'm feeling, like my world just got turned upside down and there will never be a more important place than this. But if she does, it's impossible to read on her face. What I wouldn't give to know what's going on in her head right now.
Blake’s loud voice fills the void of the night, breaking us out of our bubble. “I’m fucking done with Ty.” Libby turns toward her friend and I return my hands to my pockets as I step aside, instantly missing her body against mine. “Do you want to call it a night with me? The jackass is giving us his room for the night, but I’m burning the sheets afterwards so the creep can’t brag about them smelling like you.” The thought of Tyson getting that from Libby sets me on fire and I suddenly feel like Blake and I are best friends.
“Um,” Libby looks up at me. Her eyes tell me she doesn’t want to go, but I know she’s too good of a friend to leave Blake hanging when she clearly needs to vent.
“Go on, Libs,” I nod my chin toward the house, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Blake retreats through the door again and Libby goes to follow, but I grab onto her wrist, stopping her. Leaning my mouth close to her ear, I add, "Sleep well." Goosebumps spread down her neck, telling me I definitely have some type of effect on her.
She gives me a small smile and slips out of my grasp, and I watch as she goes inside with Blake, my heart in her hand.