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What I wouldn’t give to kiss her right now.

I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything, so instead, I pull her down to kiss her forehead.

CHAPTER 17

Kylie

The beat of the bass thrums through my body.

I never feel freer than when I’m in Grayson Reed’s arms as he spins me around the dance floor. Following his lead comes as easily as breathing at this point. We’ve been dancing together since we were kids, practicing in his living room while his parents helped us keep the beat.

Only tonight, he’s holding me closer to his body than he ever has before, even with my belly pressed against his. My nerves are singing with every brush of his chest against mine. His hands aren’t carefully placed along my waist either. The number of times his thumbs have skimmed the underside of my breast or squeezed my hips has sent my body into overdrive.

I can’t figure out if he’s doing it on purpose or if he’s just stopped trying to respect my marriage to another man. Either way, I’m about to go up in flames. It’s been so freaking distracting that I’ve made a million missteps tonight. It’s not helping that this song has a very sensual beat and Grayson is leading me through moves that keep rubbing my body against his.

Well…that’s not exactly fair. I don’t have to be all up in his space the way I am, but I can’t control it anymore. My horny brain has taken over, and there’s no stopping this train now that he’s blown the whistle.

As the song comes to an end, Gray dips me. I find the courage to meet his gaze when we straighten, and what I find there takes my breath away. The stark longing is plain to see in his eyes. But then he blinks, and it’s gone as fast as it came. Did I make that up? Was he actually looking at me the way the girls told me he does when I’m not paying attention?

This back-and-forth battle is starting to get tedious.

I’ve acknowledged to myself that I want my best friend more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. After everything he’s done for me, I will never find a man as good as him. Add in the fact that I want to jump his bones, and it’s become a no-brainer.

The thing holding me back is the idea of losing him forever if he doesn’t return my feelings. But just like Gia said the other day, what if I get to have him as my best friend and lover forever?

I can’t lose this chance to finally be happy.

Grayson leads us off the dance floor at the Howling Wolf, holding my hand all the way back to the high-top table we managed to snag. All of our friends are here with us. Even Willa decided to come.

“I’m going to grab another drink. You need anything, Ladybug?”

I shake my head at Gray and lift my water glass. “I’m good.”

He nods and squeezes my hip before he walks away.

“Are your panties still intact?” Gia asks from my left. Holt, Knox, and Farrah all gape at her forthright question.

“Sorry?” I frown at Gia.

“Honey, if Holt were dancing with me the way Gray was dancing with you just now, my panties would be toast. We’d be on the way home immediately.”

“That can be arranged,” Holt quips.

“Shh.” She waves her hand at him. “We’re talking about them right now. But yes. Later.”

My laugh is more of a groan as I drop my head to the table. “So it wasn’t just me getting that vibe from him?”

“Definitely not,” Farrah pipes in.

“What the heck do I do? He’s never shown any signs of interest before. How do I know for sure he is now?” I look up to see Holt and Knox exchange a silent glance that the three of us girls catch immediately.

Gia slaps her hand on the table. “Spill it right now.”

“All we’ll say is that you don’t have to worry about Gray not reciprocating,” Holt tells me. He looks over my shoulder, and I know Grayson is back before he’s standing next to me.

“How long have you and Kylie been dancing together?” Gia smoothly asks.

“Practically since we could walk.” Gray laughs. He looks at me over the rim of his beer.