Page 90 of Seven Summers Ago
“Guess what, honey?”
I glare harder and step closer to him. “What?”
“I think you’ve forgotten, I know you. I know what you’re thinking. I know what you’re feeling.” He closes the gap between us and I swallow, my gaze running over his face and paying close attention to the dark, animalistic look in his eyes. “You’re my wife.”
With that, my shoulders give in, and I lose the fight in me. He’s right. He knows everything about me. Despite how much I think I’ve changed during the years we’ve been apart, I’m still me.
But I can’t give in. Not to him. And not to the yearning that’s stirring in my depths.
Because we will always be Rosie and Beck. Incompatible.
“I’m tired.” I avert my gaze and move to the stack of blankets and pillows Mr. Stone left on the coffee table and snatch one of each, dragging them with me to the smaller sofa.
“Yeah? I’m tired too,” he grits out, tossing a pillow onto the longer sofa and flopping himself onto it.
As I curl into a ball and try to get comfortable, fluffing the pillow and pulling the blanket up to my neck despite not being cold, Beck stretches out on the other sofa. Without covering himself with a blanket, he interlocks his fingers behind his head and crosses his ankles.
I wait several long minutes before I even move, keeping my eyelids pinched tight. The sound of his breathing is loud and raspy, like he’s not calm at all. And I feel the same way. Besidesthe warmth in the room and the emotions from the day, the tension buzzes in the space between us, keeping me wide awake.
It’s too bright in the small apartment. The bar’s parking lot lights shine through the sheer curtains. And it’s loud. The booming from the bar still full of life below us reverberates off the floor. It’s tempting to sneak down there for a drink in hopes it will calm me enough to be able to sleep.
I can’t help but watch him from the corner of my eye. The way he lies there, so nonchalant like he doesn’t have a care in the world, grates underneath my skin. His eyes are closed, so I give myself the freedom to catalog his features. His facial hair is shorter than when I was here last week. My thoughts take a detour, imagining how incredible the roughness would feel against my skin. Between my thighs.
The brown Willie Nelson concert T-shirt he borrowed from his dad stretches across the muscles of his chest as it rises and falls. My mouth waters as I remember back to his shimmering wet pecs and abs while he sat shirtless in his truck earlier today. As I lower my gaze to the gray sweatpants, the bulge in the front sends a hum tightening in my core.
“Get a good look?” His voice echoes out into the space between us.
My eyes snap up to his. “Wh-what?”
His lips curl with amusement and indignation rises in my stomach. “I’ve never minded you looking.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter as I roll onto my back, my heartbeat picking up speed.
The chuckle he releases is cocky and laced with satisfaction. “I actually loved it when your eyes were on me.”
“Just stop.” Flames lick at my cheeks.
“You’re still cute when you’re all flustered and turned on.”
“What?” My head flies up and I prop it in my hand. “I’m not turned on.”
He mimics my posture, his eyes darkening from across the room. “It’s okay, honey, your secret is safe with me.”
“I’m annoyed, that’s what I am.” I glare at him.
“Annoyed…and horny.”
“Uggggh.” A groan drags out of me and I fling my head back down on the pillow.
He cackles again and the sound pulses through me, waking up parts of me I pushed away so long ago. Places only Beck could reach. And satisfy. Dampness pools between my thighs and my breathing becomes shallow.
It’s quiet again between us. The time ticks by in my head slowly. The heat surrounding the room dissipates. But I still can’t sleep. No matter how long I lie here with my eyes closed.
After what feels like forever, the rumbling in the floor settles.
“I could really go for a drink,” I whisper, not even sure if Beck is still awake.
“You’re in luck,” he replies quietly. “It just so happens there’s a fully stocked bar downstairs.”
