Bodie
Say no more! *grinning squinting face emoji*
His enthusiasm for everything he does is one thing I’ve always loved about him. The guy never worries about much, always looking on the bright side of things. So, when he is upset about something, you know it’s important to him.
I shower and get ready quickly so the food doesn’t get cold. Today’s a rough day, and my body’s weaker than usual. Those couple days sleeping next to Bodie were too good.
“Perfect timing. Just finished,” Bodie says as he places the last dish on the table.
“Umm, it’s just us, right?” I look at the amount of food on the table in amazement. “You didn’t invite the team, did you?”
The boisterous laugh that comes out of my best friend is so infectious that it has me joining in. When we come down from the high and our gazes meet, for a moment he’s not just my best friend—he’smore.
“Thanks, Bode.” I barely get the words out before he pounces, stealing his endorphin rush from me. I haven’t even counted to ten before my whole body feels like a champagne cork that’s about to erupt, and I have to hang on to him tighter, longer. His natural smell invades my senses, urging me to claim him, marking him as mine. When we’ve had our fill, the release is slow, tentative. I’m unsure if it’s what I want. His nose grazes my jawline and sends tingling waves of pleasure down the back of my neck.
“You’re welcome,” he whispers a breath away from my lips. I want to—I should—but doubts spiral in my head as I turn away and scan the room for my jacket.
“I really have to get going. Do you mind if I grab some food and go?” This is shitty. Why the fuck am I leaving?
“Umm, yeah. Sure.”
I scoop up a quick plateful and turn to walk away, but I stop myself. Spinning around, I walk up and pull him close to me by the back of his neck. “I love you, Bode. Just give me a minute, okay? I’m sorry.” The warmth of his temple on my lips has my body begging me to stay, to show him what it could be like—with a man, with me. I know I want this now, but I won’t rush it—he deserves better than that.
Chapter Six
Bodie
It’s been two weeks since Amber broke up with me , and now Bryce is pushing me away too. I know he said he needed time, but damn, all I want to do is kiss him, just once. Maybe I’ll hate it and this will be all over with, and we can go back to not being awkward around each other. What if I do like it, though? That’s the bigger issue he’s so worried about. Either way, I have nothing better to do tonight, and I need to see him.
The Garden is full, with barely any room to move. I stumble through the crowd and walk over to the end of the bar near Calisse. I don’t want to bother Bryce so early in the night.
“Bodie, my man. How are you?” she yells as soon as she sees me. I notice Bryce turn toward us with a lopsided smile.
“Hi, Calisse. Can I get a beer?” I cut to the chase so maybe I can relax before Bryce comes over.
“You didn’t answer my question, Bodie,” she says with a playful grin.
“I’m okay, Cali. How are you?” I match her energy now.
“I’m fanfuckingtastic. One beer coming up.”
Bryce comes over with my beer a few seconds later with Calisse on his tail carrying a second.
“What the hell? Don’t you try to steal my customers.” She lovingly pushes Bryce to the side. “Here you go, handsome. It’s on the house.” She turns around and bats her lashes at Bryce as she saunters off to the next patron.
“She’s a bit ridiculous, but we love her.” Bryce laughs as he hands me the second beer. “Hey.”
“Hi.” There’s my best friend’s smile that I know so well. “I know you’re busy. You don’t have to hang out here.” I feel like I’m practically screaming over the crowd.
“I wanted to say hi. I’ll be back around, though.” He gives a gentle stroke to my forearm, ending it in a reassuring grip before he leaves. “Order some food.”
I watch him for the next hour, my attention never wavering from him. He’s hypnotic when he’s in his element. Charismatic.
“Are you afraid he’ll disappear if you take your eyes off him?” Calisse has snuck up on me.
“No.”
“Uh huh. Have you kissed him yet?” she whisper-shouts, leaning over the bar.
