“My friend. She goes to St. Jacobs too. You must know her. She’s Chief Traverse’s daughter.”
Relief swamps me with the discovery that Charlie is a she. Then, dismay. Abby’s friend is the same Charlie that Dad keeps insisting that I hook up with. Awesome. “So you two are close?”
“She’s become my best friend. Other than my sister, I don’t have many friends. Charlie is a great person. She doesn’t care about my last name.”
Great. Her best friend. I’m going to have to work overtime to avoid Dad’s matchmaking. Damn the old man and his controlling ways. He wants to run everyone’s lives. “Yeah, she sounds pretty nice.” Stroking my jaw, I eye her with mild amusement. “I’m your friend too, right?”
Eyes dancing with merriment, she shifts on the couch to face me. “Come on, you know we’re a little more than that.”
Pleasantly taken aback, I turn to face her too, draping one arm on the back of the couch. I wasn’t expecting this response. “A little more, huh? I guess I’ll take it until we become a lot more.”
Her smile draws my attention to her mouth. Her lips are incredibly tempting, practically calling to me, begging me to taste them. I’m going to resist, however. No more moves until Abby gives me a sign. It’s important that I show her I’m willing to go as slow as she wants.
I try to distract myself with random questions. “Will your sister be gone all day?”
It could be my imagination, but I think I see a flicker of disappointment in Abby’s eyes. Does she want me to kiss her? Again, my gaze drops to her mouth.
“Yeah. She’s hanging out with friends after work. Unlike me she’s very sociable.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It is. I’ve always been the proverbial lone wolf. Maybe I need to change. Try harder to be a people’s person.”
“I happen to like you just the way you are.” As long as she’s sociable with me, that suits me fine.
“Are you saying all these sweet things to try and get into my pants, Bryce?”
My jaw slackens. “Of course not.” My gaze drops to her jean clad thighs. I’d certainly love to get into her pants, though. I’m dangerously close to getting an erection just thinking about it. “I give you compliments because I mean them.”
Her sly smile catches me off guard. She throws her head back and chuckles. “I know. I was joking.”
Hanging my head, I chuckle. This is good? her teasing me. It means she’s getting more comfortable by the minute. “Very funny. You should know, I’d love to get into your pants but only when you’re ready. That’s not me teasing. That’s me being honest. I really want to get into your pants.”
Abby’s eyes widen to the size of saucers. Pink floods her cheeks and she visibly swallows. “Maybe we can do the next best thing for now.”
“What’s that?”
“You can kiss me.”
The invitation I’ve been waiting for. Making out with Abby in the privacy of her living room is dangerous. My control will be tested, probably beyond its limit. But, I’m going for it. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that. But…”
She frowns. “There’s a but?”
“I want you to kiss me.” Maybe if I let her take control, I’ll be less likely to lose my head and go further. Draping both arms over the back of the couch, I encourage, “You make the first move.”
She doesn’t move immediately but peers at me through long lashes. The entire time, I can feel the tension rising. There’s this phenomenon that occurs anytime I’m with her. Sexual tension seeps in and mounts until it’s almost unbearable. The air becomes thick with it, making it a little harder to breath. Abby’s chest is already rising and falling rapidly. I know she can feel it too.
Tentatively, she draws closer, eyes on me. Her movements are timid but there’s blatant desire clouding her eyes. Her face hovers in front of mine. Our breaths mingle, hers tickling my skin. It takes discipline not to lean forward and take command of her mouth. Or to grab a hold of her, slide between her thighs and…
A low groan escapes me. Why did I allow my mind to go there? It makes not touching her that much harder.
“Is something wrong?” Abby searches my face with a hint of worry.
“No. I need you to kiss me, Abby.”
Without any more encouragement her lips caress mine, I sigh my content. I still don’t move, allowing her to keep control. She gently explores, her tongue sliding between my lips. Her soft moan makes my dick twitch, and I sink my fingers into the couch’s cushions.