Page 46 of Too Sweet
“I know. It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay, Mia. Don’t let me off the hook that easily. I don’t like seeing you sad, and I hate I made you cry,” I insist, letting my guard slip as I drop my gaze to her lips.
I’ve never wanted to kiss a girl so much.
Whenever she’s this close, I forget about whatever feelings Cody has for her. I should talk to him because this... this is wrong on every single level. I’m a pendulum around her.
I want her, and I don’t want her.
I want her, and I can’t have her.
I want her, and she doesn’t need my crazy.
From what I’ve learned so far, Mia wants her man to take care of her, but I’m sure she wouldn’t want the unhealthy overprotectiveness I picked up three years ago.
The jealousy.
The rage.
She wouldn’t want me keeping tabs on her to ensure she’s safe; deciding whom she could be friends with so she wouldn’t waste time with people who are bad influences or those who can’t be trusted. As much as I’d like to keep that part of my character in check, I know it was why Kaya cheated on me with Jared.
She couldn’t stand the control.
No sane person would, but knowing I’m overreacting and ridding myself of the compulsive habits are two different things. It’s a disease like alcoholism.
I’m an addict, but my poison isn’t lethal, no matter the dose. My poison affects those around me more than me, but it’s as hard to quit as heroin or vodka.
“You’re forgiven,” she says, her voice a loaded whisper.
“Come with us, Mia. One drink. I’ll take you home if you don’t enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you, but no.” She leans her back against the cabinets. “You’ve got the other girl to take care of. Why do you want me to come?”
I grip the marble countertop on both sides of her waist, the gesture uncontrollable. The moment I see her resting against something, I want to box her in, act on the intense need to keep her close, sheltered,safe.
“I don’t want her. One drink,” I repeat quieter.
“One drink,” she agrees with a shy smile. “You make me self-conscious when you look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m a warm triple chocolate brownie with a side of vanilla ice cream, and you’re on a strict no-sugar diet.”
The electric stress between us rears its full power, and I snap. So fucking fast I don’t see it coming. I grip her waist, hauling her onto the kitchen island, and immediately move my hands to her thighs.
She’s soft and warm and smells so sweet. “I’ve been on a no-sugar diet for a while.”
I slide my hands up, up,upher thighs, the tips of my fingers disappearing under her skirt. She trembles. Softly, but it sends heat surging across my nerve endings.
God... I need her lips more than my next breath. We’re both softly panting with need. Sparks fly between us, and I almost fucking lose it when she parts those plump lips, her eyes darting to meet mine as she pulls down a shaky breath.
“Is... um, is the other girl a brownie, too?”
“She’s a peanut M&M at best.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Two short vibrations mean it’s a text message. Instantly, without checking, I know it’s Cody.
My insides freeze. Lust morphs to shame, but I can’t unglue my hands from Mia’s warm skin. “Push me away,” I tell her, the words like razorblades slicing my tongue. “Now. You need to push me away.”
