Page 87 of Letting Go at 40

“But you never found it in someone?” Her question only clarifies.

“Call me jealous. Maybe envious. Thou shall not covet thy best friend’s wife, and yet, I did.” I’m laying my cards on the table. Confessing my sin.

“Maybe it’s time for a new best friend.”

I continue to stare at her, wondering what she means. “Who?”

“Me.” Her lashes lower a little before her lids lift again, pinning me with those eyes that melt my insides and make my dick stiff.

“Friends,” I whisper. Are we back to this?

“Or maybe we could just see where this leads?” Her arm falls to the back of the couch like she wants to touch me but I’m just out of reach.

“There’s only one end goal for me with you, Anna.” I want her as mine.

Her eyes leap to mine. She rolls her lips inward, as if she’s contemplating what I’m saying. Then, she blows me out of the water. “I don’t think I can continue to deny I have feelings for you.”

Holding still, I don’t even think I blink, not wanting to miss a hint of her meaning.

“But I need to be clear. I don’t need you to be Ben.”

“I can’t,” I murmur but she’s already shaking her head.

“Ben is always going to be a part of me. A part of us. But what I need you to be is you. I just need you to be Mason.”

Shifting forward, I set my glass on the low table and turn toward her.

“I need you to be the Mason Ben knew. The one I’m—” She stops herself short.

“The one you what?”

“The one who gives everything to those he loves.” She didn’t quite finish her previous statement, but this explanation is good enough.

“I’d give you anything,” I whisper, reaching out to take her jaw in my palm.

Suddenly, the countdown sounds despite the lowered volume on the set.

Ten, nine . . .

“Anna,” I whisper, leaning toward her.

Eight, seven . . .

“Kiss me,” she whispers.

The remainder of the count is lost as my mouth is on hers within seconds and the new year begins with me kissing Anna.

Quickly, the kisses grow hungry. Anna climbs over me, straddling my lap, pressing her center against the hard length in my jeans, but it’s not enough. My fingers are fisted in her hair at the nape of her neck and her hands hold the back of my head. Our bodies slowly grind against one another as my hand roams up her side, pressing into her to draw her closer.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” I murmur to her lips against mine. A slice of heaven on my tongue.

“You do the same to me. I can’t explain it. I can’t deny it either. I just have this need for you.”

With Anna in my lap, I lower my hand to her ass and tug her closer, tighter.

“Do you use the toy I gave you for your birthday?” I tease thinking of the pink tickler and its vibrating speeds.

She smiles without answering and returns to kissing me.