Divided Interests (Southern Bride 3)

“It doesn’t sound like he was that drunk if he could take care of business in the shower.”

I sighed.

Jen took a drink of her sweet tea and then took in a deep breath. “Okay, so what are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing.”

Her eyes widened. “Nothing? You’re going to pretend it didn’t happen? What if he remembers it?”

I shrugged. “If he feels like he needs to talk about what happened, then he can approach me.”

With narrowed eyes, she tilted her head to regard me. “You said you pushed him away when he kissed you.”

“That’s right. I did.” I felt rather proud of myself. Lord knows my body wanted to be ravaged by the man in that moment, but I had stayed strong.

“But he asked you if you were sure you wanted him to go to bed. How long after the kiss did you push him away?”

I swallowed hard, then hoped like hell I was hiding my instant guilt.

“Does it matter?”

She leaned in closer and stared into my eyes. “Oh my gawd! You kissed him back!”

I didn’t say anything.

When she jumped up and down, I rolled my eyes. “You totally kissed him back. You didn’t tell me the whole truth. Spill it, Paige. Right now!”

I sighed. “Ugh! Fine! When he kissed me, I placed my hands on his chest to push him away, but I sort of pulled him closer.”

She gasped and sat down. Placing her chin in her hand, she said, “You whore! Go on!”

I smiled slightly. “Well, I might have gotten caught up in the kiss because I slid my hands up to his hair.”

She wiggled her brows. “Then what happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

I buried my face in my hands and moaned. “Shit! Fine! He lifted my leg and sort of, you know.”

She smirked. “No, I don’t know. You’re going to have to explain this one to me, Paige. Heck, here’s a napkin and a pen, draw me a picture if you have to.”

With a roll of my eyes, I exhaled, then told her. “Fine, he started grinding against me.”

“Holy shit! Was he hard?”

My face heated. “Yes. But it was for like thirty seconds and I came to my senses. I told him to stop, and he instantly did.”

Jen held up her hands. “Wait. He stopped like right that instant, the moment you said stop.”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Her mouth dropped open and something in her eyes lit on fire. “He wasn’t drunk.”

I laughed. “Yes, he was.”

She shook her head. “No, he wasn’t.”

“Jen, I watched him stumble. He smelled like alcohol. He swayed on his feet after we broke apart. A sober Lucas would not have said he wanted to touch me, then proceed to grind himself against me.”

A knowing smile appeared on her face. “Then why did he leave at the crack ass of dawn? If he had been that drunk, he’d have dragged his ass out of bed and sat in here with aspirin and a cup of coffee. Instead, he gets up early and jets off to Austin? I’m not buying it.”

“So just because he stopped when I told him to, it means he wasn’t drunk? Even drunk, I think Lucas would still respect when a woman tells him to stop.”

“Sure, he would, after he nipped on your neck, or placed kisses along your jaw line, asking you if you were really sure you wanted him to stop. But you said stop, and he instantly stopped. He used the alcohol as an excuse to touch you, Paige.”

I gulped down the breath that seemed to be stuck in my throat.

“But…but he even admitted to drinking.”

“So? Did he drive home last night? You and I both know Lucas wouldn’t have driven if he didn’t have his wits about him. Milo wouldn’t let him.”

“His eyes looked glassy,” I said weakly.

“From lust. He immediately went to his shower and jacked off, with you as the fantasy playing in his head. He wants you.” She said the last three words seductively.

I rolled my eyes again. “No way. I’m not buying it.”

The front door opened, and Jen and I both froze.

“He’s home!” I whisper-shouted.

“Act normal,” Jen advised, whispering herself.

“So, I told Gene about your window problem. He can totally recommend someone.”

Confusion swirled in my head. “What?” I asked, staring at my friend like she’d lost her mind.

Her eyes widened in frustration. It only took a nano of a second to realize what she was doing.

“What a great guy,” I quickly said. “You really lucked out with that one.”

She smiled. “I know. I think we’re going to go watch a local band tonight. Want to come?”

Lucas walked into the kitchen. His eyes met mine, and when he didn’t look away, a sinking feeling hit me.

He didn’t remember last night.

“What window problem?” Lucas asked.

“Hello to you too, Lucas,” Jen said.

Glancing at Jen, Lucas smiled, then leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. I was instantly jealous. “Jen, how are you doing? Here to watch another movie with shirtless men on a beach?”