Page 23 of Rumours and Romance
Chapter 10
Jackson
Being friends with a woman is a new experience for me, and I like the fact that Mila seems just as happy with pizza at home as she is with a nice dinner out. As soon as she got to the house, we ordered some food, then chatted casually until it arrived. She’s got big plans for the expansion of her bakery, and I admire her drive. I’m the same way with my career, and it’s kind of nice to be able to talk with someone who gets the level of dedication I feel. When the food arrives, we load up our plates, each grab a beer, and head out onto the back deck to sit down. Harley meanders out after us, and flops onto his side in a patch of sunshine.
“That is the laziest cat I’ve ever seen.” Mila giggles as Harley rolls onto his back, like the sunseeker he is.
“Yeah, you got that right. He won’t even bother trying to chase a bird or anything. Give the cat a warm spot or a patch of sunshine and he won’t move for hours.”
She bends down and strokes the fur on Harley’s stomach. I’m jealous of my cat. For fuck’s sake, why am I wanting to feel her hands on me? Things changed between us yesterday when I hugged her. It wasn’t for show, it was just because I wanted to, I don’t know, comfort her? Sure. I’ll go with that. The problem is, it felt so damn good having her in my arms. I pick up my beer and take a long drink, focusing on the feel of the cool liquid sliding down my throat, hoping it will kill some of the heat inside of me. When I tip my head back down, I catch her staring at me, but she looks away quickly. She picks up a piece of pizza and takes a bite, chewing with her eyes closed and a small smile.
“I’m so glad you’re not a weirdo who eats fruit on pizza.” She licks sauce off her fingertips, and I stifle a groan.
“I’ll eat almost anything on pizza, but anchovies and pineapple are just wrong.” I keep my eyes focused on my plate, closing them briefly as she lets out another hum of satisfaction. Does she even know that everything she does is fucking sexy? It’s becoming harder and harder, pun intended, to remind myself that all we share is friendship. Anything more needs to be saved for when we’re out in public, and need to convince people there’s something between us.
“Agreed.” Mila sits back in her chair and lets out a contented sigh.
“You seem like you’re feeling a lot more relaxed about everything than you were yesterday.”
She tilts her head, and a small smile crosses her face. “Am I? That’s funny, because I was freaking out earlier about how complicated this is, lying to everyone. But then I come here, and I feel totally fine.”
Something about that makes me sit up a little taller. I like the fact that she feels good around me. “What you’re saying is, you can’t resist me and my forearms?”
Mila’s head falls back and a carefree laugh bubbles out of her. “Oh God, I never should have admitted my attraction to your forearms.”
“But you did, and now I’ll never let you forget it.” I grin and flex my arms out in front of me, earning another laugh. She leans over and slaps my arm gently.
“Stop it. Arrogance is not a good look on anyone.”
I chuckle and stand up, taking her plate. “Do you want some more pizza?”
“Sure.” She smiles up at me.
I head back inside and serve up another slice for each of us. Placing my hands on the kitchen counter, I drop my head and take a deep breath. I know it’s just physical attraction, nothing more, but seeing Mila relaxed and happy, it’s making me want things I don’t know if I should want.
“Jackson? Is everything okay?”
I look up to see Mila standing in the doorway, holding our beer bottles and looking at me with uncertainty painted on her face. I smile quickly.
“Yeah, of course. Need another beer?”
She nods and walks over to me. But instead of going to the fridge for another drink, she puts the bottles down and crosses her arms.
“Liar.”
“Mila,” I say as she takes a step closer, dropping her arms to her sides. My hand is gripping the countertop.
“Do you know why I feel so good when I’m around you?”
“Why?” I ask hoarsely.
“Because being around you feels right. Natural. Normal. I don’t have to pretend when I’m with you, I can just be me.” She comes to a stop only inches away from me, and I want so fucking badly to touch her. I don’t know what’s going on right now, but whatever spell we’re under, I don’t want it to break.
“I can do what I want to do. And I know you understand me.” Her words have barely registered before I feel her lips on mine. They brush softly together, then she speaks again. “I can kiss you, and I know you won’t push me for more.” Our lips touch again. “We can call it practice if you want. All I know is I really want to kiss you again.”
“Fuck. Mila.” Her name comes out as a growl this time as I capture her mouth with mine. Her fingers tunnel into my hair, gripping my head closer and I take our kiss deeper. The raging desire inside of me is growing hotter and hotter. I want this woman; I need this woman. Any logic and reasoning that says this is a bad idea has disappeared, and pure lust is left in its place. I could blame it on not having sex for almost eight months, but the truth is, it’s Mila. My body wants her, craves her. And even if sex isn’t on the table for us right now, I realize I want it to be, and soon.
But not yet.
