I was missing something, and I needed to find out what.
His door was locked, but I banged on it until he opened the door in a towel. Shit, I forgot how distracting his body was when he showed skin, but I focused on his face. His jaw was tight and his eyes blank, like he was trying to act as aloof as possible with me. I called bullshit.
“Let me in.”
“Why?”
“Because last night meant something to me, and for you to go a complete one-eighty… I want to understand. We’re friends, Will, and if we leave this trip knowing this was a holiday fling, then fine. We both agree on it, and we can move forward being friends. But honestly…” I paused, terrified and nervous. Not like it mattered—I knew I had to put everything on the line.
“I want you. I want more.” I gulped and waited, hoping he’d smile or wink or drop the towel. Any combination of those would work, but instead he stared at me with an unreadable expression. “I’ve always had a crush on you from afar, and when you suggested we do this… I had to say yes. But you made me feel cherished and safe, and I think…I think I can do those things for you too.”
“Come here, Lex.” He pulled me into a hug, his sweaty chest pressed against my face. When he wrapped his arms around me, he let out a big sigh. “I want more of you too.”
Every muscle in my body relaxed, and I sighed. “Thank god.”
He chuckled and tilted my head up so we were face to face. He grinned my favorite Will smile, all teeth and dimples, and he pressed his lips to mine in a slow, dangerous kiss. “I overheard your conversation with Charley, well, parts of it, and your comments pissed me off. I went on a run to gather my thoughts before talking to you, but when I got back, you seemed to want to stop things between us.”
“No. No!” I shook my head and dug my nails into his back to prevent him from ending the embrace. It seemed to make him smile more, so I continued. “I said those things because I assumed you were going to end this after how mad you looked earlier. It was easier to call this off before I got hurt… which wasn’t fair.”
“It’s not, Lexi. I know your ex did a number on you, but I’m not that guy. Just like I know you’re not going to take pictures of me or sell stories to tabloids. The most important thing I need in a partner is trust, and baby, I’d trust you with my soul. This needs to go both ways though, okay?”
I blinked a few times as the emotion in his voice got me feeling all tight. “Yes, I do. I will.”
“Good, because I’d like to get you naked again before I have to see you in this sexy-as-hell suit all day.” He wiggled his brows, and I giggled.
“So, we’re dating. You and me,” I said, my heart exploding with happiness.
I groaned when he slid one strap off my shoulder, stopping myself from jumping onto him.
“Yup. Exclusively, please.” He slid the other and gave me a heart-stopping smile. “You’re perfect for me, Lex, and I think I’m good for you too.”
Yeah, he definitely was.
As he stripped me down and pushed me onto the bed, my heart thundered in my chest, but it wasn't from worry, regrets, or second thoughts. It was from lust and hope. Giddy didn’t begin to describe it. My dream guy, the wonderful, kind man I’d known for years was into me as much as I was into him. We would try this for real, and while giving him my emotions and my body terrified me, it was exhilarating. Instead of focusing on all the ways we couldn’t work, I was going to focus on all the ways it could. Dating Will was going to be an adventure, and I was in it for the long haul.
Chapter Ten
One year later…
Will
Charley got the same condo as the year before and spent the entire morning distracting Lexi with shopping and pedicures. Visiting this place for New Years was going to be our yearly thing, the one time the three of us got together no matter what. Charley was tenacious, and even though I knew Lexi would’ve preferred sitting on the beach or walking in the water, she’d do what my sister wanted. It was perfect though because her absence meant I could get everything set up.
It wasthe day.
I was going to propose to Lexi and ask her to be my wife.
My sister’s best friend, the girl who I grew up around, had become the love of my goddamn life, and the ring was heavy in my hand. Coming home to her, talking to her, and getting to be myself with her all the time was a gift I never realized I was missing.
And the woman’s curves were mouthwatering.
I couldn’t imagine living without the happiness of being with her. Now, I needed to make it permanent, starting with asking her to be mywife. I lit two candles and paced the main living room of the condo, eyeing my watch like a madman. Charley said she’d be back five minutes ago, and if my sister was up to one of her schemes… I gritted my teeth, pocketed the ring, and stared out the window. Relief flooded my veins at seeing Charley and Lexi walking up to the door, a huge smile on my girl’s face. My nerves disappeared.
We were good together, and if she said no, then we’d wait. It was that simple. There was no way we would end what we had. After living together for three months, I could envision a life with her. She walked inside, and her eyes lit up when she saw me.
“Hey, Will. Oh, what’s this?” She eyed the candles and the flowers I’d put out before her lips parted.
“I’ll come back in an hour,” Charley said, wrapping her arm around Lexi’s shoulders in a quick hug. “Gah! I can’t believe it. Okay, bye!” She left, meaning it was showtime.
