“Blue.” His hands came around my stomach once more, tightening the gap between us and as if he were privy to my thoughts, he added, “Ryleigh and I—”
“You need to leave,” I cut him off, my words sharper than I intended. If anything, I needed my sanity back, the one I’d worked the last three years to regain after that night at the hospital.
You should’ve stayed in my memories, Shay.
I felt him stiffen against me before his hands dropped away from my stomach. The loss left me empty as he stepped back. “Don’t act like a stranger to me, Blue,” he growled, a hint of anger edging his words. “Caleb might fuck you, but I’m the only man that knows everything about you whether I’m with you or not.”
You do.I swallowed through the lump sitting in my throat.
As if he heard me, he persisted in breaking down my defenses. “I know the difference between those genuine smiles and the fake ones. When you’re angry and sad, when you pretend, you’re not hurting but you are.” He moved closer again, his chest pressing into my back. “How you smell like the freshest damned lilacs, the taste of your sweet strawberry-scented kisses. I know the clasp of your tight pussy around my cock,” he breathed while I battled my own lack of oxygen with each word he uttered. “The sensual writhe of your body when I sink deep inside you, the dance of passion across your face as you come.” He grasped my arms, resting his forehead on the back of my head. “Years might’ve passed between us, but I know you, baby and I never forgot. Never fucking forgot that I’m also the only man who loved and broke you in the same breath.” He sighed releasing my arms. “Don’t treat me like a stranger, Blue,” he repeated, his tone almost a plea.
Turning, I let my eyes skim his taut features. Thirty-seven looked good on him. He wore his hair longer now. Straight tips kissing his collar, the gray streaks infused with the black at his temples adding a sexy maturity, girls at my store, would drool over. Slight creases at the corners of his eyes only served to heighten his good looks. I’d felt the hard muscles in his arms and chest when he closed in on me, he probably kept rigorous gym workouts as usual.
Then a vision of Ryleigh subconsciously flashed. “Isn’t that what we are now?” My voice cracked on the last word.
How could we be strangers when he was the only man who’d sparked a zillion emotions in me with just one look. Feelings that never dissipated and came rushing back like a surprise tsunami the minute he walked back into my life. The only man who could weaken me with one touch, the only man I’d loved and never forgot. And he was right, the only man who loved and broke me in the same breath.
Still, the heat of his body penetrated the air between us, my fingers itching to reach out and touch him. Unsettled, I wet my lips, trying desperately to find a reason to keep telling him this wasn’t a good idea.
His gaze followed the tip of my tongue, open hunger decorating those smoky grays that had haunted me through his son’s eyes. “Fine,” he muttered, his expression unreadable. “If that’s what we are then I’ll woo you like a fucking stranger until I get my sister back,” he paused, his hooded eyes raking a lazy appraisal over my face, “because I don’t plan on being the brother you ran out on.”
Winded by the determination lining his jaw, my eyes widened. “What does that mean?”
“You spent years wanting me to take you. And I spent years wanting to take you. Now I’m here, you won’t even say my name,” he gritted. “Trust me, Blue, every time we meet, after tonight,willend with, ‘fuck me, Shay,’ nothing more, unless you’re coming in my mouth.” My soft gasp was wasted on him because he merely cocked a brow followed by, “Goodnight.”
He was already striding away before I could say anything further, my gaze immediately dropping to the noticeable limp I knew he’d sustained in the battle where he’d also lost Griffin. My insides churned at what Shay must’ve gone through since then. Yet, it was his parting words that had me moving to the living room window. He was climbing into the truck with slower movements. Nothing like the man who’d nailed getting into his truck in one fluid jump.
“I’m sorry.” Regret shook through my body, my heart hurting for him. “I should’ve been there for you.”
As if he’d heard me, he looked at the window for a moment. I half expected him to wave, and my hand lifted of its own accord, pausing mid-air when the engine roared to life. He shot off down the road with no return gesture. Either I’d angered him or given him a new challenge. Since I was old enough to compete with him, I knew he always let me win. This time though, I didn’t think I had a fighting chance of winning whatever he planned.
Some words were quick and naturally easy to say. But when your heart resided in someone else’s chest, you fear saying his name out loud because it could leave you breathless enough to fall.
If only words could breathe...
39. I Wanna Grow Old With You – Westlife
