She quirks a brow. “Want me to grab your morning dose?”
“I can do it.” A hiss rattles out of me while I try sitting up.
Her hand lands on my chest, pushing me down. “Allow me. I’m here to ease your aches and suffering.”
As if I wasn’t already hard enough. I’d pop a semi from that vision alone, fantasy or not. I settle deeper into the mattress. This reminds me of the old us, before shit got complicated and I destroyed everything. Inky darkness slithers in my veins. I always assume the worst, for good reason. But I know Sutton better than anyone. Or I used to. She’s always been able to see through my bullshit.
Sutton reappears with an extra large cup filled to the brim and a prescription bottle. I gingerly lift my upper body into a position that doesn’t cause stabbing misery. She tries handing me two pills. I open my mouth and wait.
She huffs. “Really?”
I raise my brows in answer. She drops the white tablets onto my tongue and holds out the water for me. My palms remain flat on the mattress. I lean forward until Sutton gets the message. The cool glass presses to my lips and she tips it up. I keep my eyes locked on her while swallowing the cool liquid. My throat screams in relief and I guzzle more. Our gazes never waver, the air crackling with restraint. When the cup is empty, she pulls it away.
“Want a refill?”
I flop onto the bed, feeling completely rejuvenated. “In a bit.”
She returns to her spot beside me, sitting up with crossed legs.
“This is new.” I trace the colorful flower on her ankle.
She tracks my movements. “I had it done in Cancun on spring break. My friend has a matching one.”
“Who’s this friend?” I try to tamp down my jealousy.
“Harlyn. We lived together in college.”
I recall hearing her name. The green-eyed monster skitters away. “Ah, the dark days I know nothing about.”
Sutton leans back, giving me an exquisite view of her tits. “I’m happy to fill you in.”
There’s only one question that’s been plaguing me. I keep my eyes on her tattoo. “Did you go out a lot?”
“To the bar?”
“On dates,” I supply with a grumble.
She tips her head back and laughs. “That’s hilarious. You’ve met my brother, right? Somehow he managed to scare off all guys before I could even try.”
A smirk brimming with satisfaction tilts my lips. I’ll have to thank him for that. “Good. That’s the way it should be.”
“Yeah? And why is that?”
“You don’t belong with any of them.”
Sutton squints at me. “Dare I ask who does?”
No one, certainly not me. I can’t force myself to spit those words. I’m such a pansy-ass when it comes to her. But she’s the only one. I want to tell her as much. The catastrophe that would follow has me biting my tongue. “Didn’t we cover this yesterday?”
“It could use repeating.”
I can’t find any regret, even digging to my very core. She should know how much I want her. I’ve been keeping my distance for her sake. All I’ve succeeded in doing is adding more torture. “I want to be the one who deserves you.”
She nudges me with her toe. “I sense a but in there.”
“Come on, Sutt. I’m all sorts of wrong for you.” I curl the sheet into my tight fist. “You should be with someone like Lance.” The words are gasoline to the flame already burning me up. Just thinking about it makes me want to punch his smug face.
“You don’t mean that,” she whispers.
