“On it!” I yell back, pulling out my phone.
“I’ll go get it,” Steven offers, brushing his fingers down my forearm. “Your dad already took the boys. I can be right back.”
“Again,” I say, “you’re amazing.”
“Anything for you, baby,” he whispers, lifting my wrist to his lips. He presses a soft kiss there and it sends a shiver up my arm. The last time we were in a hotel room, we were up all nighttogether. That was a full year ago. This time, we planned ahead, hoping we could do that again, ensuring we had a sitter for at least one night.
His lips linger on my skin. “Are we still on for later?”Kiss. “I’ve been looking forward to it all week.” Another kiss, now traveling, the soft warmth of his lips meeting each sensitive spot on my arm. It’s slow, intentional.
And intoxicating.
A shuddery breath leaves me.
“I think…” my voice cracks as his mouth reaches my collarbone then my neck. “I need to make sure she’s okay.” My breath hitches as his lips find the edge of my jaw, and his hands slide to my hips.
“Of course,” he murmurs, kissing the corner of my mouth. “What if you sneak out when she’s asleep?”
“Like high school?” I joke, turning my face toward his.
“She won’t even know you're gone.” He kisses me again. “I don’t need long.”
I bark out a laugh, but he hushes me with a finger to my lips, drawing me closer. One hand traces down my back, flirting with the zipper of my dress. The other lifts my chin so he can kiss me deeper. The taste is so familiar, so comfortable, I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.
“Fine,” I breathe between kisses. “I’ll sneak out as soon as she’s asleep.”
“Good girl.”
He steals one more kiss just as the bathroom water shuts off. His eyes are hungry and reverent as they travel up and down my frame. I can’t help the tiny spark of confidence it lights—and my motivation to definitely sneak out later.
“You need to get out of here,” I laugh, nudging him toward the door.
“I know, I know.” He chuckles.
I’m about to close the door when he casually says, “I told Liam I’d take him back to his apartment.”
I freeze, door ajar. “What?”
“His family left. I told him I’d drive him back super fast. Then I’ll grab the ice cream.”
As ifice creamis the problem here. Not the fact that he’s still doing that scumbag favors. His title of brother-in-law should trump best friend right now, and I can’t fight the nausea twisting in my stomach at the probability of him not being aware of this. That mydoctorof a husband would not realize this.
“I don’t care about ice cream, Steven,” I whisper, glancing back to the closed bathroom door. “Are you really helping him out right now?”
“Em, he’s my best friend. This day is hard on him too.”
“Are you kidding me right now?” Anger simmers hot in my chest. “He doesn’t deserve your help, Steven. He doesn’t deserve anything but a kick to the nuts.”
“Ouch.”
“I’m serious.” I’m practically hissing, irritated this is happening. “What he did was horrible, Steven. He doesn’t deserve our kindness, and he definitely doesn’t have the right to ask you for any favors. Not when the champagne is still cold, at least.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose and exhales, likeI’mthe unreasonable one right now. I bite my tongue, holding back a slew of words, so I don’t explode in the middle of this hallway. I don’t know if my anger is toward Liam only or if Steven’s behavior is aggravating it more. But either way, anger is justifiable in this situation, and I hate that my instinct is to hold it together and not let anyone see how I really feel. I can’t let my emotions be a disruption.
I can’t be a disruption.
“Listen,” he sighs, rubbing his brow. “I know this is terrible. He’s a prick.”
I shrug in agreement.
