“Please tell me you’re joking and they didn’t fucking do that. Because I’ll bury them in so much procedural red tape that it’ll be coming out of their asses.” The tone in Chris’s voice makes me happy I’d never have to be up against him in court.
But also, what he said makes me giggle. Or maybe it’s the delirium I’m slipping into following the sudden release of such intense emotions.
His chest vibrates with a deep laugh. “It isn’t funny, Lily. That pisses me the fuck off.”
Because I’m already cuddled into my attorney’s side, I figure a little more can’t hurt. I snuggle in and curl my leg up to get more comfortable. His hand leaves my waist and grips my thigh right above my knee, yanking it higher so my thigh rests on top of his.
“This is probably more comfortable,” he murmurs, and I don’t argue because it is.
“I didn’t say anything to them,” I reassure him. “I think they were probably telling me that so they could gauge my reaction.”
“You’re probably correct. And I’m proud of you for not saying anything to those bastards.”
His praise lights me up. Blake never said anything likethat. Usually, it was just how disappointed or disgusted he was with me. Never how proud.
Unfortunately, that light is extinguished when I admit quietly, “Chris, I’m scared.”
His arm tightens on my shoulders, and his grip squeezes my thigh. The touch ignites me, and I feel it between my legs.
“I know you are. I don’t want you to be, but I get it. I’ve watched that video hundreds of times, looking for anything that could help, and there’s no way that person looks like you at all.” His chest rises with his deep inhales. “That was very clearly a man. Even if you were to base it solely on his obvious lack of your curves.”
My cheeks heat. Not because that was a compliment—on the surface, it wasn’t—but because there was a small hitch of appreciation in his tone that I can’t ignore.
He goes on, oblivious to my internal spiraling for an entirely different reason than a few moments before. “They were trying to see how you’d react to thinking that you were caught. They wanted to remind you that you’re still a suspect and that they’re keeping a close eye on you.”
I move on to tracing another button as I lose myself in the moment, trying to push everything else out of my mind to give myself a slight break, knowing full well they’ll be back in no time.
Pressure on the top of my head tells me his cheek is resting on it. “Let’s not talk about that anymore tonight. There’s plenty of time for all of this. What do you want for dinner? I can make something, or I can order something to be delivered.”
“Can we order Chinese?”
Blake hated Chinese food, but it’s one of my favorites. This is the true test of whether Chris is a better man thanBlake. He’s already light years ahead of him, but this will seal the deal.
“Fuck yes. I love Chinese food. I know just the place we can order from.”
Passed with flying colors.
20
Chris
“Chris? Will you sleep with me? Like, in my bed. I mean, well, your bed that’s currently my bed because I’m using it,” Lily stammers before rushing on, “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
Sweet god of torture.
I want nothing more than to do that, and also, literally anything else but that. Our moment on the couch will forever be seared into my brain. I loved every second of that. And now, here we are, in the hall outside the guest room, right after I said goodnight.
There’s more between us after this weekend. Neither of us has vocalized it, but we both know. We both feel it. I know she knows I almost kissed her at the basketball game. The look on her face told me she wanted it as much as I did. But I held back and opted to hold her hand tight for the rest of the evening. I don’t think I let go until we were back at thecondo. I needed that connection more than I could’ve explained if she had asked.
But she didn’t. She was just by my side, gripping my hand in silent support, seemingly almost as desperate not to let me go as well.
No matter how much I want it, I’d never make a move on her when she’s in such an obvious state of emotional distress, but sleeping in the same bed with her is exactly what we both need.
Pushing down any desire that this question has brought sizzling to my skin and my groin, I smile down at her. “Of course, I will. But how about we sleep in my bed? It’s bigger.”
Her returning smile is nervous but relieved. Lily points to the guest bathroom. “I’m going to go get ready for bed. It shouldn’t take long.”
I nod. “Just come in whenever you’re ready.”
