She chuckles.
I glance at the drawing again. “All jokes aside, I can tell you’ve been practicing. You’ve got some talent when it comes to the male sexual organ.”
She takes a big spoonful of ice cream and signs, “My drawing skills are pretty good too.” I shake my head. Goddamn it, Chaos. She likes to sign while eating becauseIt’s fun to talk with your mouth full.
“You’re going to get a brain freeze,” I sign my reply right as she scrunches her face and makes a painful noise. She leans into me, laughing. It’s contagious.
When it passes, she sits up and sighs, letting the silence stretch between us.
“Stop messing around with thesetemporary broswhen you were built for a soul mate,” I mutter.
She slowly turns her head. “What did you just say?”
“Quit wasting your time with those guys you always go for.”
Kelly shakes her head. “No, the soul mate thing. It’s the second time you’ve mentioned something Dad brought up in his letter.”
“What was the other thing?”
“The Kelly fucking Everhart thing.”
I lift my shoulders. “Maybe fate thinks you need a reminder.”
She nods. “Yeah . . . maybe. Odd timing is all.”
“Got any plans this weekend?” I ask, changing the subject.
She shakes her head. “Nothing. Probably just get some stuff done in the attic.”
“Well, if you need a break from the fun, would you want to come by my place? I’d still like to photograph you for that series of paintings I have planned . . . That is, if you’re feeling up to it.”
Her eyes widen. “Sunday work?” she signs, chewing a piece of cookie.
“Sunday’s perfect,” I reply with my hands.
She grins down at her bowl, pushing around the last bites of ice cream. Without thinking, I cup her chin, turning her face toward me, and use my thumb to wipe away the bits of cookie dust at the corner of her mouth before sucking them off my finger.
Her lips are soft.Fuck, I can’t wait to kiss her.I’ve spent years watching her, learning her habits, likes, and dislikes, yet there are still so many unknowns. I’m desperate to know how she tastes . . . the sounds she makes when she’s turned on . . . the rhythm she prefers when she’s on top . . . how long she can be edged before she shatters . . .
So many damn unknowns.
If I were to kiss her now, I’d only be an alcohol-induced rebound and our friendship would be fucked. That said, as soon as her gaze drops to my mouth, I can’t pull away. I’m drawn to her like a flame. I lean in a half centimeter and she does the same. That’s when the car I was watching earlier peels out with a loud screech. She jolts at the noise and jerks away.Shit.
“What the fuck was that?” she asks, looking in the direction of the blur that’s already out of sight.
That was way too close.I scrub a hand down my face. “I dunno.”
If it weren’t for that car, I might have risked it all and regretted it forever. I gotta get out of here.
One of these days, I’ll be able to kiss her gorgeous lips until they bruise under mine. However, I’m not a bandage for her temporary hurt over some passive distraction. I’m the reason she’ll never know heartbreak again.
“You’ve had a long day,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’ll clean up the killing field in the kitchen.”
She avoids eye contact with me. “You’re a great friend.”
I resist groaning. My favorite title—emotional support staff.
“So are you. Come on.” I nudge her and we stand together. After we stack our bowls on top of each other, she gives me another long hug. My palm cups the back of her neck, my thumb pressing three squeezes. “Go take a shower. You’ll feel better.”
