He smelt like sandalwood and something altogether masculine; sex and strength, and a gasp of air left my lips as he placed a hand on either side of me, gripping the counter and leaned in until we were within kissing distance.
This was it.
We were going to kiss and Louise would walk in and see us. They would be over, but Damen and I would begin and it was going to be amazing, and thank God I brushed my teeth this morning.
“We just need a bit of space,” he said.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I replied.
He nodded, his eyes like mist on a cold winter morning. Gray moved through them like storm clouds and my breath caught in my throat as his scent wrapped itself around me like a noose.
“It gets a bit much, don’t you think?” he asked, and I nodded again.
Damen reached a hand up to play with one of my curls, his gaze leaving mine as he wrapped the curl around his finger. Every touch sending my body into overdrive until my panties were soaked and I thought I might combust at any moment. Quite literally self-combust here in my kitchen just because he touched my fucking hair.
“You’re driving her crazy you know.”
I smiled at that, glad that he saw how jealous she was of what he and I had. Glad that she could see that Damen and I were better suited and that she would soon be out of the picture.
“All the looks. The stares. The following around like a lost puppy.” He tsked and released my hair. “You need to get laid, Anna.”
My smile grew wider. “I do, you’re right.”
If it wasn’t such a cheesy move, I would have winked just to let him know that as they fucked every night, I was orgasming in the next room right alongside them. Learning the way he made love by the sounds of Louise’s screams and groans. Her high-pitched moans when she was close and how the bed banged quicker and quicker and quicker.
My face felt hot and red, and a trickle of sweat trailed between my breasts to dampen my bra, and I groaned, outwardly, no holds barred, groaned as desire swept through me in a tidal wave. It was embarrassing but invigorating all at the same time. To be this close to him. To have his scent on me, his breath on my face, his hands in my hair. I came with a pant and a groan and my thighs squeezed together like I was trying not to pee.
Damen’s eyes widened and he stepped back from me. “What the fuck?” he mumbled as I dragged a hand through my wild hair and continued to pant my way through the tail end of my orgasm.
Louise’s footsteps came back down the hallway and he moved further away from me. I took the gap to turn around and face the sink, turning the faucet on so I could splash my face with some cold water.
“Come on, let’s go. Anna, I’ll see you tomorrow, or whenever,” Louise said and by the time I’d turned to face her, they were already at the door and leaving.
I pressed a finger to my lips, still able to feel his breath against them. My smile grew wider, and I flushed with happy embarrassment.
We were so perfect for each other.
Chapter Four
The sound of the door unlocking had me jumping up to my feet. Louise walked in like everything was normal, but everything was far from normal and I stormed towards her.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I screamed.
She stepped back, her eyes going wide in shock and then fear and then anger. “I was at Damen’s. What is wrong with you?” she scowled and pushed past me, heading to her bedroom.
“You’ve been gone three days, Louise, and not once did you call and text. You didn’t even have the decency to return my calls! What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you?” I was screeching now as I stormed behind her following her to her room.
On the threshold she stopped and spun to face me. “You’re not my mom, you psycho!” her eyes were wild with rage and honestly, she looked a little like she’d lost the plot.
She stepped into her room and slammed the door closed behind her, and I stared at the white wooden door like it was a magical portal that could transport me to another time and place. Back to when we were kids and were so close that people used to think we were sisters. Back before she discovered boys and all the magical things they could do with their tongues. Back when her dad was nice and not a pervy asshole.
But that time was gone. That was then and this was now.
I screamed at her closed door and slammed my fist against it over and over, kicking it with my bare feet until blood splattered the paintwork, the red glaring back at me like an alarm bell. And then I sunk to the ground crying.
The door opened several moments later, and I felt the air shift beside me as Louise came to sit next to me. Her arms draped around me and I leaned into her touch.
“I’m sorry,” I whimpered.
“I know,” she replied quietly. “So am I.”
I looked up at her through my mass of curls and tears. “We always said we’d never let a man come between us.”
Guilt flashed in her eyes and she nodded in agreement. “The thing is, Anna, I really like this guy. Like, really like him.”
Guilt squeezed at my heart.
Guilt for loving him.
Guilt for wanting him.
And guilt that I knew he wanted me too.
This was my best friend, and she deserved better than both me and Damen, yet she was stuck with us. Perfect fucking Louise was stuck with a shitty best friend and a boyfriend who didn’t really love her. It didn’t matter anymore that I’d seen him first.
I hugged her back and didn’t say anything. There was still time for us
