Chapter 19 #2
I'm so fucking relieved that she's talking and that we're us again that I push the car out of my mind. "I'd eat some popcorn."
Nev is wearing low-slung sweatpants and a cropped T-shirt. The pants slide lower on her thin hips, and the T-shirt inches higher as she reaches into the pantry cupboard for popcorn. I have to pull my gaze from her small waist, the smooth skin on her back and her perfect ass.
She sticks the bag in the microwave, leans against the counter and crosses her arms. "I have to stay here and guard the popcorn.
You know that dangerously fine line that, when crossed, turns your perfectly delicious popcorn into charred ashes.
" She smiles. "Excuse my babbling. I had a few glasses of wine, and as you know—"
I smile. "You're a total lightweight."
"Yep. Goes straight to my head and body."
I gaze down at her body. She's been hot and curvy since middle school, and while a lot of girls went out of their way to show off their new curves, Nev couldn't be bothered. She didn't need to. She was head to toe incredible without ever having to try.
She tightens her arms and clears her throat. She caught me surveying her body. "Thank you again for coming to my rescue earlier," she says quietly. "I overreacted, and I'm may never live down the humiliation."
"Nev, I'm glad you called, and you weren't overreacting. That loud car—do you think it might be the same person?" I'm not asking to frighten her. It seems like a logical question after what happened at the shop.
Her bottom lip drops in shock. It's the same plump, bitable lip I kissed just hours ago.
I'm the one who needs to feel humiliation.
I blew it. I'm always so fucking solid when it comes to Nev, but for those few minutes in the shop that hard exterior broke.
It's tough to put it back together. That kiss left me confused, embarrassed and wanting way fucking more.
"I hadn't thought of that," she says. The corn in the microwave is starting its pops and bangs. She shakes her head. "Nope, I'm not going down that rabbit hole, and thanks so much for lighting that spark." She says it sharply, but I know she's mostly teasing.
"Just thinking like a Wilde. Dad always taught us to never trust a fucking soul. It's a great way to be brought up."
Nev laughs. "That man really should write a parenting book, only he can title it All the Things Not to Do.
" She covers her mouth and giggles. The wine is definitely making its way through her bloodstream.
"Don't tell him I said that. Actually, fuck it, tell him.
He needs to know. I think now that he's old and not in great health, he's somehow trying to make amends to erase all the shit he did.
He needs to know you can't get that stink off no matter how much soap and water you use.
" She pauses and her eyes open wider. "My god, I'm a blathering idiot tonight. I really can't drink."
"Uh, don't think it's time to head to an AA meeting just yet. You had a scare earlier, and you deserved a little wine."
Suddenly we're both quiet, standing just three feet apart and gazing at each other like two people who know each other's darkest secrets. And in a way, it's true, though I have far more dark secrets than Nev.
"Nev, about the kiss—"
Nev gasps. "The kernels have slowed down!
" She lunges for the microwave and smacks the power button.
The oven goes dark. A few more kernels are giving it their last effort as she reaches in for the bag.
"Ouch, shit!" She drops the bag onto the counter and shakes her hand. Hot steam is seeping from the top edge.
Instinctively, I take hold of her wrist and walk her to the sink to run cold water over her red fingers. "Who knew popcorn popping was so treacherous," she says with a laugh. "It's fine now, and it's official. I'm a drama queen."
I'm still holding her wrist when she turns off the water. I can smell her light, citrusy shampoo and something else, a lotion, maybe, and it's waking up every inch of me. I don't release her wrist, and she doesn't pull it out of my grasp.
"About that kiss," I say again.
Nev turns to me. She pulls her hand free, and for a brief moment, I can feel my heart split in two.
She hops on her toes, wraps her arms around my neck and presses her mouth against mine.
I hold back for all of a second, then wrap my arms around her and pull her against me.
My cock is already thick and throbbing. It's been like that since she reached up for the popcorn.
Her soft groan vibrates against my mouth as my hand smooths down over her perfectly round ass.
I pull her hips closer. She keeps hold of my neck as she jumps up and wraps her legs around my waist. My hands wrap around her ass, and I carry her out to the couch.
I lower her down. She rests back against the arm, and I lean down over her.
She takes my face in her hands and kisses me again.
I squeeze down next to her, me on my side and her on her back with her head resting on my arm.
I want nothing more than to strip her naked and fuck her, but it's far more complicated than that.
It's Nev. The girl who sat on this very same couch holding a pack of ice against my eye after I got in a bad fight in 8th grade.
The girl who showed me how to do math homework in high school.
The girl who always made sure I had food and a warm place to stay when my dad was being an asshole.
Her grandmother was always there to invite me in and offer help, but it was Nev who looked out for me in the world.
It was Nev who would find me in trouble or pain and take me home.
I always knew Nev was there to keep me from spiraling out of control.
I smooth my hand over her tits, and she arches her back to press against my hand.
I push my hand under her short shirt. She's not wearing a bra, and I groan inwardly as my bare fingers reach her hardened nipples.
I tug gently at each one bringing them into taut buds.
Nev closes her eyes as I explore her body, a body I've craved for years but kept my hands off.
I'm finding it hard to believe it's real, that she's stretched out next to me, wanting to be touched.
I smooth my hand down her flat belly, and she sucks in a soft breath as my hand dips below the waist on her pants.
Her thighs fall open, inviting me to explore further.
My hand moves down to her pussy, and I groan again, longer and louder as my finger reaches the pool of liquid heat between her legs.
Nev's breaths come in short spurts as I massage her clit.
She opens her legs farther. "Zander," she sighs, "please. "
I push my finger, first one, then two, into her all the while keeping pressure on her clit with the base of my thumb.
She pushes against the pressure of my hand and clamps her legs right around my hand.
Her hips move in rhythm with my fingers.
She grabs my arm to hold me in place, but I have no intention of taking my hand away.
"Oh, Zander," she says on a breathy whisper.
Her thighs tighten against my arm, and her pussy clenches around my hand.
Her body shudders in soft, sputtering waves as she comes around my fingers.
Her breathing slows, and I pull my hand from between her legs.
My cock is aching to be inside of her, but it's not happening.
I need to climb back into my solid Nevvie shell, the one that reminds me that she's not for me. She deserves so much fucking better.
Nev turns so she's facing me. I close my eyes and release a long-held breath as she nestles against me. Her face is pressed against my chest. I wrap my arms around her. Maybe she's not for me, but I'll protect her and keep her safe and make sure she's happy no matter what happens.
Nev wriggles closer, and I hold her tighter until she's breathing softly, rhythmically. She's fallen asleep in my arms. As far as I'm concerned, I can die tomorrow, and I'll still be wearing the same fucking smile.