Setting my cup on the counter, I move to stand behind her, placing my hands on her hips. “What I mean is exactly what I said. You asked me if I wanted to talk about it, and in case you don’t realize it, the thing that kept me from sleeping was you. So, if you like to talk about yourself, I’m game.” I step closer, aligning my front to her back. “I thought we were making breakfast together?” I ask.
Keeping one hand on her waist, the other travels from her shoulder down her arm until my hand is resting over hers, and we’re flipping the bacon together. The feel of her body pressed against mine is exquisite torture that I would endure every single day if given the opportunity.
My eyes focus on her slender neck, and I know that I have to taste her there. Consequences be damned. I lean in closer, and she shivers at the feel of my hot breath against her skin. Just as I’m about to make contact, heavy footfalls on the steps have me moving back to my spot, leaning against the counter. This time my grip is painful as the urge to touch her roars through my veins.
“Something smells good,” Caleb says, entering the kitchen.
I wait for the guilt to assault me, but it never comes. Caleb is my best friend and has been since our freshman year of college, but I can’t find it in me to feel guilty. Not when it comes to Joey. I love Caleb like a brother, but this sudden pull that his sister has over me is something I can’t ignore. It’s something I don’t want to ignore.
“Bacon, eggs, and toast,” Joey tells him. The pitch to her voice is a little higher than normal, but Caleb doesn’t seem to notice.
“You know that you don’t have to keep cooking for us, right?” Caleb asks her.
Her eyes quickly flash to mine. “I don’t mind. It keeps me busy.”
“We still need to have that talk,” he reminds her.
Worry takes root in my mind. Is she in trouble? Is she hiding out? Did someone hurt her? The thought of anyone laying their hands on her has me seeing red.
“Whoa. You okay, man?” Caleb asks.
“Fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You look like someone just kicked your puppy.”
Joey turns to look at me. “You have a puppy?” she asks.
There’s curiosity in her question and something else, something that looks a lot like mischief. “No. No puppy.”
“Oh.” Her face falls. I want to tell her that I’ll skip practice, and we can go get a puppy today—anything she wants. However, before I can even open my mouth, she bursts out laughing.
“You two are gullible.” She points at me, then Caleb. “I’m very well aware of the analogy and I didn’t take you seriously.”
“I thought you were a cat person,” Caleb asks her.
“I am, but that’s the only pet I was allowed to have at my place. I always wanted a dog growing up.”
“I didn’t know that,” Caleb replies.
Joey shrugs. “Mom never would have let it happen.”
“Dad—” Caleb starts, but Joey holds up her hand to stop him.
“Yes, Dad would have bought me a puppy, but Mom would never have let me keep it. One day when I have a house and not an apartment, I’ll have a dog. Although I’m not sure Hermionewill like that idea as much as I do.” She chuckles under her breath.
“Move in with me,” Caleb blurts. “You can have a dog. Hell, get three if you want.”
“I can’t move in with you,” she counters. She says the words, but there’s something in her voice. Longing maybe? “This is a bachelor pad.”
“Yeah.” Caleb snorts. “It’s a swinging pad. Just look at all the ladies we have to kick out every morning.” He gives his sister a pointed look.
“Well, one day, I want to be an aunt. So I hope that you do bring someone home, and I love you, brother, but I don’t want to be here to listen to you making me an aunt.” She gives him a wide beaming smile, knowing that she’s won this conversation.
“Pain in my ass,” Caleb says as he walks to her and pulls her into a hug, placing a kiss on top of her head. “But I love you, sis, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, I love you too, you big lug.” She shrugs him off. “Now, don’t mess with me unless you want to eat burnt bacon.”
“I’m not picky,” he tells her. “You’re cooking. I’ll eat it no matter what it tastes like.” He gives her his camera-ready charming smile, and she just shakes her head. “I’m going to go grab a shower. Give me ten,” Caleb says, disappearing up the steps.