Best Foot Forward (The Best Girls 3)

He braced himself when her arms moved toward him, relaxing as they wrapped around his neck, pulling his face down to hers. He didn’t resist as she offered her lips to him, kissing him with a passion he couldn’t help but answer. He snaked his arms around her waist and squeezed as if he could hold her there forever.

Wow, I guess she forgave me.

“Hi guys!” said Josh, stepping into the living room. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.” He flopped onto the couch and propped his feet on the footstool.

Grace swirled to face him, tugging her skirt down as two bright red spots appeared on her cheeks.

Josh raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Looks like you two weren’t planning on me being here.”

“Don’t you have someplace to go?” Brad ground through gritted teeth.

“Not really,” said Josh, picking up the television remote. “I thought I’d just watch a movie or something.”

Brad was trying to decide how to dispose of his roommate’s body when Josh busted out laughing and stood up. “I’m just kidding. I’m going to have dinner with Spencer and Emily. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he warned as he slipped past them out the front door, his laughter trailing behind him.

Brad let out the breath he’d been holding when the door closed behind Josh. His eyes sought out Grace’s, and he saw something there he hadn’t noticed when she walked into the apartment. Fear.

*****

Grace stiffened as he stared into her eyes. It always seemed like he could see into her soul, and it made her feel out of control.

“You seem tense, Grace. Why don’t you let me rub your shoulders for you?”

He urged her to sit on the footstool while he sat behind her. His large strong hands began to knead her muscles. She almost melted as the tension she wasn’t even aware of began to leave her body.

She thought about the close call at the front door. It was a good thing Josh had appeared when he did. She needed to keep her mind distracted, separated from the sensations that always overwhelmed her when Brad kissed her. She’d thought if she initiated the kissing, if she was the one in control, she’d be able to control her emotions as well. But it hadn’t quite worked according to her plan. She had to be more careful.

“Mmmm, that’s nice,” she murmured as she scooted back onto the couch beside him, snuggling under his arm. She reached her hand to stroke his face and let her fingers drop to amble across his muscular chest. His hand reached out to stroke her cheek, causing her thoughts to jumble in her head.

He bent his face to capture her lips in a tender kiss, sweet and chaste, full of promise. With only the slightest pressure of his mouth on hers, her heart began to thud and warmth spread throughout her entire body. When he withdrew his mouth, she whimpered and tried to follow him, her parched lips seeking the satisfaction only he could give.

He chuckled. “It makes me feel a little better you seem to want it as much as I do.” He stretched his arms above his head and stood up. “What do you want to do tonight? Do you feel like going out? Would you like to watch the game down at O’Malley’s?”

“You want to go out?” Inside her chest, her heart thudded against her ribcage. “I thought... you know... since we were alone, I figured you’d want to stay here.”

His mouth lifted on one corner in a crooked grin. “I’d like to stay here alone with you, but I can already tell that’s a bad idea. We’d better leave while we still can.”

Grace felt her breath coming faster and faster until her head was swimming. If we leave now, I won’t have any reason to break up with him. And he’ll be sweet to me, and I’ll fall even harder for him. If I’m not careful, I’ll fall in love with him. I can’t let that happen.

“Grace? What’s wrong?”

She stood up and backed toward the door with one hand in front of her to ward him off. She didn’t know what she was going to do, but she knew she couldn’t stay.

“What’s wrong? Where are you going?”

She shook her head and continued her backward trek until she found the door with her foot. He continued to advance, but she slipped out the door and shut it behind her, holding it tightly.

The door jerked out of her hands. “Grace, what are you trying to do? You can’t lock me inside my apartment. I don’t understand what happened. What’s wrong? Talk to me!” He gripped her shoulders and held her motionless. She stared at him, unseeing.

“Grace, I’m not letting you go until you tell me what’s wrong.”

Panicking, she gasped for air. What am I going to do? What should I say?

“I... It’s... There’s someone else...” Tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her wooden cheeks. It was almost true. She planned to date someone else—she simply hadn’t met him yet.

“What? What are you saying?”

“There’s someone else... Another guy... I can’t see you anymore.” She looked up though watery eyes and saw his face splinter.