Fuck. I can’t get enough.
I’ve missed these lips, the way they feel, the way they taste.
Ivy relaxes into my body as I shove my chest into hers, angling her head so I can kiss her deeper, harder. She whimpers and I grunt at the same time, the air around us becoming hotter and thicker until I forget that we live on Earth and she isn’t my entire existence.
Something sizzles and cracks against my lips, fire roaring in my heart. I’ve never felt more alive. This will have me dreaming of Ivy even when I’m not asleep.
After a few moments, Ivy presses a palm flat to my chest and pushes me off. When I open my eyes, I glance down at her, panting heavily to catch my breath. Ivy closes her eyes and purses her lips. “Wait, JJ,” she heaves. “Stop. We can’t do this.”
I don’t remove my hands from her face, instead, I slide my fingers into the back of her hair and tug gently. Her delicious lips part, and she stares up at me with heated eyes that would make me submit. My legs begin to wobble at the sight of her like this. At my mercy. And I’d happily get down on my knees for her if she asked.
“Why?” I ask deeply.
She closes her eyes, pursing her lips. “We can’t.”
“Tell me why.” I dip my lips to her jaw.
Ivy shudders beneath me, her heart thrashing against mine. “Because it’s not fair to Finn. He won’t allow it.”
“Allow it?” I raise my voice, and Ivy’s eyes flutter open. “He’s not your keeper.”
“But he’s my brother.” She pushes me off, and my hands fall to my sides. “And this is a bad idea, we both know it.”
I watch her, suddenly feeling cold without her presence. She slips away from the wall, putting distance between us again. But my lips are still tingling from the kiss we shared.
“Finn doesn’t get to tell us what to do,” I say, chest trembling.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then enlighten me, Ivy. Please.”
Her lips wobble as she approaches her bedroom door, but she shakes her head and lowers her eyes. “I can’t. It’s too much.”
She steps into her room and shuts the door behind her. I stare at the spot she was occupying seconds ago. The high of the kiss now dissolves into nothing. I should have just told her how I feel, that I lied to Daisy because I tried to push my feelings for her away.
I want her laughter. I want hours of nonstop talking. I want playful flirting.
I close my eyes in defeat and wish I was good with words to express how I truly feel.
CHAPTER 22
IVY THOMPSON
My body feels mummified when I pry my eyes open. Every inch of flesh and muscle aches like I’ve run a marathon. I slump into my pillow, not bothering to move. I reach over to my bedside table and grab my phone.
Shock. No notifications.
I raise a hand to rub my crusty eyes. I quickly replay last night, Daisy confidently spouting that JJ said I wasn’t his type, Isaac dropping me home, JJ kissing me against the wall.
My heart lurches in my chest, making me feel like I’m about to go into cardiac arrest.
He cupped my cheek and held me with tenderness that I could only dream of. My skin flushes with a new desire for his tongue against mine. Fuck. It felt so good,hefelt so good.
But I know this is the right thing to do. Not only would it destroy Finn, but I’m putting myself in a tricky position. We were lusting after one another, we had great sexual chemistry—probably down to the four cocktails I drank that night.
It’s best if we leave it alone.
My phone buzzes in my hand and my brows furrow. My stomach twists. I don’t want it to be Daisy. I need some timeaway from her. I’m pleasantly surprised to find Isaac’s name pop up on the screen.
