Charley started rambling on about the shit Will’s ex did to him and how she’d get even, but Will ran his fingers up my back to my neck where he teased my earlobe. I slid him a warning look, but he grinned and did it again.
By the time we got back to the convo, I was sweaty, angry at those women, and nervous that Will was playing with fire right now. We needed to talk, notflirt,but he didn’t seem to be on the same page. His hand got closer to my ass as we walked inside, and I swatted him away.
“What do you want, Will? Rum? Beer? Food? Us to leave so you can watch porn?” Charley said, her attempt at lightening the mood almost working.
“Christ, no.” He shook his head and collapsed onto the couch. “To be normal. To not have to worry about people taking pictures of me. To be able to trust again. The usual.”
My heart broke for the big, kind-hearted man. I didn’t think about how my embrace would look to Charley. I went up to him, sat on the couch, and put an arm around him so he rested his head against my chest. “You’ll get there, I swear.”
“This is helping, for sure,” he said, making my face turn red as Charley looked on with half a smile. “Yes, mmm, right there.” He nuzzled against my breasts.
“Will, stop, what are you--don’t do that!” I said, my voice sounding super awkward as I pretended to be mad about it.
“You have nice boobs. Charley even said so.” He winked at me as his sister laughed and the creak of a cupboard sounded from the kitchen. “Are you going to turn me away when I need comfort?”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Will Slate.” I narrowed my eyes as he rested his face on my chest again, a large sigh leaving him. His muscles did seem to relax as he lay there, and I ran my fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp.
Charley came into the room with a bottle water and a bag of chips. She flipped the TV on, not even wincing as her brother cuddled up next to me. Wasn’t this uncomfortable for her? Didn’t she want to know why we were so close?
“He just did this,” I said, like that would explain why his mouth was inches from my pebbled nipple. The thin shirt was a great idea earlier, but now I could feel his warm breath through it. “Lay on me, I mean.”
She furrowed her brows and looked between Will and me for a second before shrugging. “I’d lay on you too. You’re comfy.”
“You are,” he said, turning his face so he really could bite my nipple if he wanted. “Keep doing that with your fingers. It feels good.”
I continued massaging him, and my throat got all tight when he closed his eyes and melted onto me. This large man who made millions of dollars was with me, relaxing with a small smile on his face that I helped put there. It was an intoxicating feeling. It felt natural to chill with him like this, and after thirty minutes of working on him, I realized he was asleep.
He let out a tiny snore, and I giggled but stopped in fear of waking him up.
“I always wondered if you two would get together.”
I whipped my head toward Charley who watched us with a soft look on her face. “Wh-what?”
“You and Will. You fit.” She shrugged and went back to scrolling on her phone instead of watching the TV.
“How do we… fit? He’s… famous, and I’m not.”
“Uh, do you think he gives a shit you’re not famous? You’re loyal as hell, have a banging body that I might be into, and are the kindest person I know.” She scoffed like I told her I had fifteen fingers instead of ten. “I know you’re in an odd headspace about dating, but babe, you’re a catch. If anything, you might be too good for him.”
“Oh, that’s not true. He’s wonderful. He loves his family, works so hard, is always considerate, and never let fame get to him.”
Her smile widened. “Look at you defending him. Loyal.”
My face warmed, and my stomach somersaulted at her lack of worry. My best friend didn’t protest the thought of her brother and I together. Never in a million years did I think her encouraging us would be a reality. Swallowing got more difficult the longer the silence stretched on, and when Will moved around to let out a little grunt, my heart exploded into pieces. This wonderful man had his trust shattered, and if by some reason he wanted me, I’d go for it. Even if our time together was just for the trip, I’d enjoy every second of what we shared.
Chapter Eight
Will
If Lexi knew I was awake, she’d freak out, and the last thing I wanted was for her to hide from me. Not now. Not after tasting her, being with her, and hearing her tell those women to fuck off. It wasn’t supposed to be sexy when complete strangers made fun of me and my life, but seeing Lexi ready to fight sent a thrill through me that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
She was on my team, one hundred percent, and that fact allowed me to trust her. No hesitation, no doubt. I never realized how important loyalty would become, but after the leaked photos and the story in the tabloids, honesty was one of most redeeming qualities in a woman. Plus, Charley gave us her blessing.
There was nothing stopping us from being together longer than this holiday trip Especially since she stood up to my sister about me. God, she was gorgeous.
Lexi and me...I forced myself not to laugh since I was faking being asleep. The nerdy, beautiful programmer couldn't tell the difference between baseball and soccer, orgasmed loudly, and had a body that went on forever. She wasperfectfor me. Before the week was over, I’d convince her we could make this work.
Hell, we both lived in the city. The season wasn’t too demanding for travel, and her apartment was a twenty-minute walk from mine. There was nothing preventing us from seeing where this went, and I wanted to start showing her how good we could be. I stretched, taking my time to make all sorts of movements so she would hear me. It worked. When I squinted at her, she looked down at me with wide eyes and strands of her hair falling over her face.
