AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I didn’t think you were coming tonight,” I say at last. “I was going to meet someone. A Wall Street guy I met at a charity event. Rena and Kendall were practically getting us a hotelroom.”
Ben’s gaze sharpens as I reach for my glass. “I don’t want some loser touchingyou.”
I arch a brow. “This isn’t a veto you get with your partners. I’m not aninvestment.”
“No. You’re my bestfriend.”
Because Ben would never see me as someone he’d pursue romantically. I’ve experienced the truth of thatfirsthand.
I drain the glass in a single drink, two hundred dollars of tequila burning down mythroat.
“D? Yougood?”
I blink to see his handsome face drawn in concern—for me, for my state ofmind.
I set the glass on the table and force my attention back to the screen. “Yeah. We shouldplay.”
We do, falling into familiar rhythms, the challenge and thrill of experiencing life-or-death in a safe way burning off some of the frustration in my bloodstream from the week. By the time we finish, it’s aftertwo.
“Good job, partner,” I offer as I stand, stretching to alleviate my crampedmuscles.
He follows my actions, high-fiving me once we’re bothupright.
“Surprised Lily isn’t here,” he comments as he takes the glasses to the sink and tucks the remaining tequila into acabinet.
“She’s staying at a friend’s.” I reach for the bracelet on my wrist on instinct, and his sharp gaze follows themotion.
“You still think about her,” he says, but he doesn’t meanLil.
I swallow, drawing in a slow breath. “Ofcourse.”
Do you still think about her?I want to ask the question, but I’m not prepared for theanswer.
Once Ben has his jacket back on over the T-shirt, he steps close. His thumb grazes my jaw, his fingertips brushing the hair at my nape. The touch isn’tunusual.
But tonight, I swear he takes his time, not wanting to stepback.
“Why do you touch me like that?” Iblurt.
He frowns as if thinking about it for the first time. “Because it feels like you’re half somewhere else. I want you here with me and when I touch you, youare.”
My chest aches.I am here. I’m all the way here,Ben.
I wish to hell he would seeit.
His thumb on my cheek sends sparks that have me parting my lips, and it takes everything in me not to let my traitorous gaze fall to his perfectmouth.
“Get some sleep,” he murmurs, those dark eyes searching my face. “I'll see you at brunch in a fewhours.”
Then his touch is gone, and a moment later, so ishe.
I lean back against the door, wrapping my arms around myself because I’m suddenly cold in thisdress.
“I want you here with me and when I touch you, youare.”
The ironyburns.
There’s no way Ben and I would happen, because he doesn’t see me that way. Because we have too much history as friends, because he’s too precise and controlling, because our lives are toodemanding.
