Whiskey and Country

I hadn’t been touched, or loved, by a man in so long. I was seeing the sun for the first time after a few years of hibernation. And I relished the feeling. I wanted more.

I spun, ready to put to rest all our pseudo-friendship rules and indulge in what my body, my mind, and my soul craved the most when a ringtone broke the lust-filled silence.

Nick groaned, the throaty sound upping the desire circulating in my bloodstream. I wished to hear it again. With our bodies entangled. And blissfully satisfied. God, keeping those thoughts, the images I drew in my mind, away became more difficult with every passing second.

I felt bereft when his hands left my body to grab the phone and decline the call. Why were we always interrupted?

Panting, I watched his face as he scowled at his device.

“Tuck,” he muttered, his eyes shooting daggers at the flashing screen.

The not-so-welcome, but perhaps necessary, interruption calmed the storm detonating inside me.

The air in the cab returned to normal in a few minutes, and I leaned into the backrest. My voice dropped to a whisper. “I have to get inside. I told the babysitter I wouldn’t be late.”

The man, who could so easily steal my heart, nodded as my thumb outlined the shape of his mouth. My breath sizzled when his tongue darted out to lick it.

“Yes. We’ll talk later, okay?”

Our fingers intertwined, and I had to draw a superhuman effort from inside me to let go. Now that Nick Peterson had entered my life and occupied an important spot, I relished how we were together. Every hour spent with him cemented our relationship. I just had no idea how to explain it. My yearning swelled high inside me, hard to tame.

I ran my fingers through my hair as I closed the front door behind me and pressed my back against the panel, begging my heart to calm its violent thrum.

* * *

The next few days went by fast. I was so busy with everything that I barely had any time to myself. I hadn’t seen Nick since that night we went out with Stud and Belle almost a week ago.

We texted a few times, exchanging hellos and good nights, but with both of us being busy, it lacked the warmth it usually had.

After we spent the night at the barn and our double-date, things between us had gone from good to amazing. Our bond felt stronger. And deeper. But now, after days without seeing him, I kinda missed him. Nick had become a huge part of my life in a short period of time.

Each time we talked, a smile hung on my lips for hours afterward. The man had a way of teasing me, challenging me, and caring for me all at the same time that I relished.

“Dah, you’ve been talking about Nick for the last ten minutes. You should call him or pay him a visit. Are the tinsels between you still there?” Addison asked as we video chatted once I put Jack to bed.

I smiled. “Yes. All of them. And they’ve grown bigger.”

“Don’t let him walk away.”

“The other night when we dined with Stud and Belle, it was—it was. It’s hard to explain.”

“Try it.”

“Like we were together, you know? As if we’d always been like this. Dahlia and Nick going out with friends. Easy. Simple. Matter-of-factly. He kissed me like it was the normal thing to do. The way we always were.”

Addison’s voice turned high-pitch, and she clapped her hands in joyous enthusiasm. Just like a kid. “Okay, I hear ya. Then he didn’t change his mind because you brought out his grief and suggested he talk about it. Or because you almost had a massage orgasm. Either he needs time to deal with everything here or whatever else he left behind, or he’s busy at work. Don’t wait. What you two could have is precious. And priceless. Fight for what you deserve, girlfriend. Dah, just talk to him.”

“I know we’re both fairly occupied and stuff, but what if he changed his mind?”

“What do you mean?” my friend asked. “You told me yourself you almost came the last time you were together when his hands traveled all over you.”

“I did.” Oh god, if I shut my eyes, I could relive that instant with great details. “But he’s the one who insisted we take our time. Perhaps he felt I was about to crack, and he’s not ready to move forward with me.”

“Don’t be silly. If it’s not his work, the only logical explanation is that he got spooked because you talked about his dead friend the other night. Guys aren’t good at talking about their emotions. Not all of them are Carter Hills. He’s one of a kind.”

The words lingered between us. At one time, years ago, Addi had a huge crush on Cart. But he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, so the two of them never happened. Sometimes she wondered what they could have been.

“Back to Nick. Give him time. Perhaps he has to deal with some emotional shit. On his own. Anyway, grow some balls, girlfriend. If your words opened his wound, then use them to heal it. Be brave. And fearless. Be the friend you offered to be. The one he could share, without words, his sorrow with.” I sighed. “You’re Dahlia Ellis. You’ve been through much more than this. Woman up. Take the lead. Take action.”

“Ever thought about leading group therapy sessions?” We both chuckled until I spoke again. “Addi, I know you’re right. I’m just not sure what I should do. Or rather, how to do this.”

“Dah, I’m just thinking out loud here. Do you think the star-thing could have also scared him? Like you were super famous and it’s intimidating? You said he and Carter didn’t click. Perhaps he finally decided it’s a big deal.”

I sighed. “Nah. If it was, it would have happened sooner. Why now?” I nibbled on my thumbnail. “No, can’t be that. We were good. And then I spoke about his deceased friend, we went on a date, the sexual tension supercharged at its peak the entire night. But now he’s sending short texts and is somehow too busy to spend time with me—” I sighed again. “Nothing makes sense.”

“Ask him. Plain and simple. Or take a page out of my Wilde’s book and do something crazy. Go to his place, kiss him—you’re both being too reasonable by sticking to that friendship rule, by the way—and show him what he’s missing. Use that sexual energy you’ve both been basking in to rock his world. He’ll thank ya. I know I would.”

I snickered. “Yeah. This is the perfect recipe for a disaster. I’m not sure I remember how to flirt. Or be upfront. The night of the shop opening, I kissed him first. And he recoiled.”

“Forget it. He explained why. And you’ve spent a lot of time together since. And you kissed many times. Go to him. Set the record straight.”

“Why are you always my voice of reason? You’re right. I should. I will. Tomorrow.”

“See? Easy peasy. Keep me updated. I root for ya.”

I giggled. “You better.”

I moved to my bedroom and unclasped the chain around my neck. The one that had my old wedding ring on it.

“What are you doing?” Addi asked as I stored the ring in a box after pressing it to my lips.

“Moving on. It’s about time. Jeff is here,” I said, pointing to my heart.

“You sure?”

I nodded. “Yes.” I blew out a long breath. “It feels right. It is time. To let go.”

“Dah, I’m proud of ya. You’re amazing. Nick is a lucky man. And don’t worry, things will work out between you guys. I can feel it.”