She was so beautiful. I ached to pull her into my arms.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
With a quick glance back over her shoulder, she smiled. Her gaze locked on mine, and I saw it in those brown eyes of hers. She was fighting her emotions the same damn way I was.
“I found a book, so I thought I would read a little…to wind down.”
She looked back down at the book, and I couldn’t help but smile. The damn thing was turned upside down. I walked up behind the sofa, leaned down, and placed my mouth next to her ear as I took the book in my hand and turned it over.
“Unless you’ve learned a new talent, Bri, I think the book has to be this way in order for you to read it.”
Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. I leaned in closer and smelled her delicious scent before I walked back toward the bedroom. How in the hell did she still smell like lavender?
“I’m heading to bed.”
“What!”
The book fell to the floor, and I looked back at her. “Bed, that thing where you go and lie down when you’re tired.”
I made my way into the bedroom and then grabbed my bag. Found a pair of boxers and slipped them on, then took off the robe and tossed it over one of the chairs in the bedroom.
“W-what? What are you doing?” Bristol asked as I pulled back the covers.
I stared at her, a smirk on my face. “Getting into bed.”
“You don’t have any clothes on!”
I glanced down at my boxer briefs and over at her. “I do. I have on boxer briefs.”
She swallowed hard. “So you’re going to make me sleep on the sofa?”
I pulled the sheets back and patted the mattress. “No, you can sleep right here.”
“In the same bed?” she gasped.
“We’ve done it before. Lots of times, if my memory serves me right.”
“That’s not the point, Anson.”
I winked. “Are you afraid you won’t be able to keep to your side of the bed?”
She huffed, and I couldn’t help but use that moment to take her in. She looked fucking hot in my T-shirt.
“What’s the problem, Bri?” I asked in a teasing tone.
“Problem?” she asked with a humorless chuckle. “So, it won’t bother you at all to be in bed with me? Keeping to yourself?”
I shrugged, but then I saw the disappointment on her face, and it nearly broke my chest open.
She thought I didn’t want her.
“Guess I’m turning off all the lights then,” she said as she stomped away and flipped the switches.
With a smile, I slid farther down under the covers. Bristol kept one small lamp lit as she made her way back into the bedroom and then quickly slipped under the covers.
“I wish I had a toothbrush,” she mumbled.
“They might have them at the front desk. Do you want me to call for you?”
“No, it’s okay. Maybe I’ll go get one.”
She went to climb out of the bed but stopped when I reached for her and grabbed her hand.
“Bri, stop running from me.”
“I’m not running.”
“Really? Because it seems like the idea of being anywhere near me repulses you.”
Her mouth dropped open, and I could see her eyes widen, even in the dim lighting. “I’m not repulsed by you! My God, Anson! It’s the opposite! I can’t stop thinking about every little thing when it comes to you!”
She got out the bed and stomped her way into the living room and kept going on her rant.
“I can’t stop thinking about that stupid kiss! Or your stupid smiles. And it’s you who doesn’t seem to be the least bit affected by me. So don’t tell me I’m the one running away. I’m going to get a fucking toothbrush!”
I was out of the bed and over to her in less than five steps. I pulled the jumper out of her hand and tossed it to the side.
“Hey!” she shouted.
“Not affected? You don’t think that a million different emotions run through me every time I see you?”
I grabbed her hand and pushed it against my beating heart. “The way you make my heart race in my chest leaves me dizzy.” I slid her hand down to my rock-hard cock. Her eyes widened, but I didn’t see anger. I saw what I knew was reflected in my own eyes. Lust. Desire. Need.
“Does this feel like I’m not into you? Every time I see you, I lose my goddamn mind. I feel guilt, love, desire, all rolled up in one big giant fucking ball of a mess. I want to talk to you, Bri. Tell you how sorry I am, beg you to forgive me. I’m angry we couldn’t figure out a way to make this all work. Six years we wasted. I’m pissed at myself for leaving you. I’m pissed you didn’t listen to any of my songs.”