her lips. “My thoughts exactly. You sure you want me as your partner? I really suck at this. I’m not even kidding.”
I grin, pushing up from the stool. I place my hand between us, palm up. “C’mon, I’ll show you how it’s done.”
When she places her hand in mine, I do my best to ignore the way the currents of electricity stroke my palm at our point of contact.
When I place my hand in his, a thrill shoots up my arm, and the heaviness percolates in the air between us. Whatever the sensation is, it’s potent. My tummy flips when we walk hand in hand toward the pool table. Julia and Griffin are already choosing their sticks. Off to the side, I notice Beth-Ann and Landon flirting in the corner of the bar, standing very, very close.
“Here, give this one a try,” End says, handing one of the smaller sticks to me. I grab it warily, unsure of how to hold it and “give it a try.” He chuckles at my attempts.
“Let me show you what I mean. Set your stick here,” he says, demonstrating with his own on the edge of the table. “Place these two fingers on top and just glide the stick through. Feel the stick move in your hands; it should feel smooth and easy. Nice and controlled.”
My stomach clenches at his words. They sound oddly erotic, even though this is the furthest thing from sexy. But coming from Endymion’s mouth? Anything is sexy.
I shake my head, trying to clear my mind of those muddled thoughts and do as he instructs. It feels the same, even with his pointers, but I don’t tell him so. I just don’t think I have the skill for this. Some people are born to do stuff like this and get it on their first try. I’m not one of them.
“Feel okay?” he asks.
I nod, forcing a smile. His own smirk tells me he sees right through it. Leaning into me, he places his mouth near my ear to whisper his next words.
“I’ll do all the heavy lifting, don’t worry.”
A flutter works its way through my body. I try to focus as Griffin cues the balls and takes the first shot. After he hits, he lets Julia go before it’s our turn. I’m up, and my nerves suddenly make me tremble. I have a hard time keeping the stick still, that’s how nervous I am. I feel End’s heat behind me as he hovers around me.
“Here. Let me help.”
He reaches around me, setting my hand and fingers exactly where he wants them. His skin on mine feels absolutely incredible. I find myself leaning into his touch, smelling his skin, and trying to soak in as much of him as I possibly can.
“Perfect. Now push it forward and aim here.”
I do as he says, and surprisingly, I hit the white ball into our solid colors, pocketing a red one. I turn around, a grin spreading across my face. This is the first time I’ve ever played pool, and I’ve actually sunk a ball. Nothing like this ever works in my favor, and I’m sure I have Endymion to thank for that.
When it’s his turn, he pockets one and lets me try for another, and again, he leans into me, trying to help. I feel the strong contours of his body against mine. His pecs, his biceps as they brush the outside of my arms. The heat emanates off his body in waves, rolling through me. It makes me feel dizzy and off-kilter. I can feel myself practically falling back under his spell. Being so close to him, having him show so much interest in me, it’s a strange turn of tables. It makes me want to throw caution to the wind and just give myself over to him.
But like being doused in cold water, I remember why I can’t do that.
Because I’m a liar.
A horrible human.
I’m the woman who’s kept his child away from him, and he doesn’t even know it.
I have everything I need to say all worked out in my head, but every time I try, nothing happens. The words never come forth. It’s almost as if they’re trapped, and my subconscious won’t let them go.
I try not to enjoy the way his body feels against mine. The way his hands curl around my hands, the way his body seems to align with mine so perfectly. It’s cliché; the way it feels like we’re puzzle pieces finally becoming one.