Chapter 22 #2
“I would rather not see or talk about any part of my sister’s anatomy,” he says in an irritated voice. “I’m going to go check on Bee and get her some pizza.” He walks inside, and I turn to Savi.
“You just love pushing his buttons, don’t you?” I laugh.
“It’s the most fun,” she grins, following me into the house.
Miles is at the bar setting up Bee with a slice of pizza. Savi’s eyes soften as she watches her brother.
“They sure are cute together,” she smiles.
“They sure are,” I murmur. Bee laughs at something he says as she takes a bite of pizza.
Miles grins and ruffles her hair before pouring her a small glass of milk.
“Let me get my phone, and we can leave,” I say, pulling my eyes away before it becomes too much.
It’s getting easier to picture him in our lives and harder to picture a life without him.
I walk to my bedroom and find my phone on the bathroom counter as I stuff down my emotions. I don’t want to think about anything tonight except having a good time with my friends. I’ll deal with how to navigate all these new feelings another day.
Walking back out into the bedroom, I stop when I see Miles standing there.
“All ready to go?” he asks, closing the distance between us.
“All ready,” I smile. “Did you leave Savi to fend for herself?”
“Savi is great with kids. I told her I need to go over last-minute instructions with you.” His hand skims down the length of my hair before brushing it over my shoulder.
“Instructions?” I manage to find my voice as his thumb swipes my bottom lip, his eyes focused on what he’s doing.
“I’m not about to let you walk out that door without giving you something to remember. ”
“You’re not worried, are you?” I arch my eyebrow at the humor in finding anyone else that could turn my head, let alone make me feel like this.
“I’m not worried,” he smiles, shaking his head, “but it doesn’t change the fact that I won’t be there to watch over you and make sure no assholes mess with you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I laugh softly. “It’s not like I haven’t dealt with guys coming on strong before. I’m not alone either. We girls stick together.”
“Yeah, I know,” he sighs. “I’m used to feeling this way about my sister, but this is new,” he chuckles.
“The thought of guys putting their hands on you or trying to come on to you…it’s on a whole other level of intensity.
Just promise me you’ll be safe. No walking to the bathroom alone or taking drinks from guys… ”
“I’ll be safe,” I smile, cutting him off. “I promise. I even have mace in my purse if that makes you feel better,” I say, holding up my handbag.
“It does,” he grins, and I see some of the worry leave his face.
“Now, didn’t I hear you say that you had something you wanted to give me to remember you by?” I put my arms around his neck and bring him flush against me. His eyes flash with the unexpected rush of sensations we always seem to ignite when we connect.
Bringing his hands up to cup my face, a seductive smile stretches across his face as he leans closer.
“I definitely have something to give you,” he breathes, closing the distance and molding his lips to mine. The kiss is soft at first as his tongue slowly strokes mine, but desire has us quickly going all in as we desperately try to fill this need flowing through our veins.
He gently bites my bottom lip as he tortures me with his tongue, knowing all too well what it can do.
When I tug on his lip ring, a moan escapes us both as his body presses harder into me.
I can feel everything through his gym shorts, and there’s no denying the effect I have on him as my body eagerly wants to accept its fate.
“Fuck,” he pants, breaking away and stepping back. “I’ve got to stop or I’ll never be able to walk out of here. It’s never just a kiss with you. It’s always a goddamn tsunami.”
The front of his shorts is clearly tented, and I try to suppress my laughter at the thought of him trying to hide that in front of his sister.
“I’m glad you find humor in my painful state.” His lip twitches with amusement as I finally break out into a grin.
“It’s a pretty impressive painful state.” I eye the massive outline and suddenly wish we had more time so I could properly take care of it.
“You looking at me like that is not helping.” His voice is low, and his eyes are trained on me as I tear my gaze away from temptation. It’s clear we have the same thoughts running through our minds as we lock eyes.
“Sorry. I can’t help it. It’s hard not to stare.”
“Trust me, I’m enjoying it. A little too much,” he adds with a low growl.
“Under different circumstances, I wouldn’t ever want you to stop, but if there is any hope of me walking out of here in the next two minutes I need you to put away those fuck me eyes before I haul you over my shoulder and mess up your pretty makeup and hair. ”
“Noted,” I giggle. “I’m just going to freshen up in the bathroom while you, uh, do your thing to get it to go down.”
I walk quickly back to the bathroom before I lose all common sense and take him up on his offer to mess up my makeup and hair. I can’t make the girls wait any longer, though, so I pull myself together as best as I can before walking back out .
He seems to be better now, and I avoid looking down at all costs so I don’t provoke something.
He chuckles softly and kisses me briefly on the lips before pulling back.
“Let’s get you going before I really do lock you in the closet to keep you here with me.”
We walk back out, and Savi lifts her head when she sees us.
“All done, going over the babysitting instructions?” Her teasing eyes let me know we are not fooling anyone.
“I’m all set,” Miles grins. “We didn’t have the time to thoroughly go over everything like I really, really wanted to do,” he winks at me, and my eyes widen, “but I got what I came in there for.” He sits down next to Bee and reaches for the pizza box.
“You didn’t eat it all already, did you? ” He asks her in a teasing voice.
“No,” she giggles. “That would be impossible. My belly isn’t that big.”
Laughing, he takes a couple of slices and puts them on a plate. “I hope you left room for dessert. I may have a surprise for you in the truck.”
“Muffins?” Her eyes light up, and he shakes his head.
“Something even better…brownies.”
“Yes!” She squeals. “I love brownies!”
“I had a feeling you would,” he grins.
“Well, that’s our cue to get out of here so you guys can start your party,” I say, bending down to kiss Bee on the head. “Please be good for Miles. We wouldn’t want to scare him off on the first night.”
“Miles doesn’t get scared. He rides a motorcycle and has pretty tattoos. He’s super brave.”
I look over at him, and his pierced eyebrow raises. “See. Nothing is going to scare me off. I’m brave, just like Bee said. You’re stuck with me.”
Smiling, I hug Bee one last time. “Love you, little bee.”
“Love you too, Momma. Bye, Aunt Savi!” Bee grins at her before taking a sip of milk.
I look at Savi and arch a brow. “What? It’s wishful thinking on my part,” she grins, and Miles snickers. “Besides, she’s Charlie’s best friend and you're my new bestie, so it’s only appropriate that I get to be Aunt Savi.”
“Why do I feel like I’m suddenly getting ganged up on here?”
Miles just grins wider and winks at his sister.
“No ganging up, I promise,” she laughs and loops her arms through mine. “Bye, Miles and Bee,” she calls over her shoulder. “I’ll have her back later.” She leans close to my ear so only I can hear. “So you can finish what you obviously started in the bedroom earlier,” she whispers.
“Savi!” I exclaim in a hushed tone, causing her to giggle.
“You might as well give in to what fate is clearly laying at your feet. You both are as smitten as can be,” she says, as we walk down the stairs to the rest of the girls. “Whether you both were expecting it or not, love has found a way in.”
“It’s too soon,” I shake my head even though my heart is screaming that she’s right. “We haven’t known each other long,” I say, trying to fight what I’m afraid to admit.
“It’s okay to let go of some of that control, Livie.
” Her voice softens as she pulls me into a hug.
“Don’t let fear hold you back from living your life.
It’s no way to live.” I see the sadness in her eyes, and something tells me she’s no longer talking about me.
She quickly recovers, and a smile stretches across her face. “Now let’s go have some fun!”
We reach the vehicle, and all the girls talk excitedly as we get in and buckle up. I don’t have time to give it any more thought. I soon find myself laughing and immersed in a sisterhood that is quickly starting to mean a lot to me.