twins should be your priority. Am I wrong?”
He wasn’t, which was what made it so infuriating. Was I really that easy to read? Apparently, not for him. “No,” I admitted. “But you can’t say you don’t understand where I’m coming from.”
Instead of answering, he gripped me by the arm and guided me to my new room. I could have stopped him if I wanted, but I offered no resistance. Carefully, he shut the door behind us. The click of it closing made my heart stutter. This was why I had avoided being alone with Tripp for all those years. It was easier to deny his effect on me when it was dulled by having other people around.
Funny how I’d never actually been able to admit that to myself before now.
In my distracted state, Tripp was able to maneuver me to the bed. But I couldn’t let the growing sense of intimacy deter me. This thing between us had to stop.
I managed to say as much out loud.
Or, at least, I thought I did.
“I understand where you’re coming from.”
Tripp nudged my shoulder, pressing me inexorably back on the bed. He stretched out beside me, his long, lean body blocking out the yellow light from the bedside table. Shadows painted his face, accentuating his cheekbones and sending thrills down my spine. He stole the fright right out of me.
“You do?” Well, shit, that breathless note in my voice didn’t help my argument. “You know I have to think about what’s best for the girls.” My protests were weak.
He scribbled secrets on my skin with the tips of his fingers, drawing gooseflesh to the surface. He knew my body as well as my mind. And just like that, all the thoughts flew out of my head. I let him lift my lips to his with the slightest pressure from a hooked finger. His mouth brushed over mine with easy comfort and the devastation of a natural disaster.
The contrast of his implacable body to his soft lips made me forget myself. His mouth nibbled at mine—no hesitation, no self-doubt. His focus was one hundred percent on me. Tripp’s confidence had always astounded me. What must it feel like to always know exactly what you want?
Even more, how did a girl react when that certainty was focused entirely on her?
Sweat gathered in the deep of my lower back as his tongue enticed my lips to part. With light, easy pressure, it rubbed against mine. I couldn’t help it. I moaned into his mouth, the sound needy and urgent, even to my ears.
One kiss wouldn’t hurt.
Would it?
And I let him. God help me, but no one kissed like Tripp Wilder. He made me feel like I was the only woman in the world.
I deepened the kiss, letting him slide a muscled thigh between my legs. The weight of him came over me slightly, a welcome shelter. I wanted more. That was the problem. I wanted too much.
I’d talk to him.
I would.
I just wanted to be with him for a little longer. It seemed that when it came to Tripp, I’d always want more.
And that was terrifying.
I broke away, exhaling heavily, and already missing his lips on mine. “Tripp, wait.”
His lips moved to my neck, biting softly, and then moving to my ear. My weak spot. Was there a link between that spot and my G-spot? It certainly felt like it. Maybe Tripp just knew all my spots.
He stopped. It shouldn’t surprise me that he did. Tripp was nothing if not kind and considerate. I hated to think about Chris at a time like this, but he wouldn’t have taken me pumping the brakes so well. I should have realized it back then—I had wanted to please him so much that I hadn’t given myself enough respect.
Tripp didn’t ever make me question myself. He respected me enough for the both of us. This friends-with-benefits arrangement was for my comfort. I was fully aware that he would have been all-in ages ago if it weren’t for my own reservations.
He tucked me close to his side. “Talk to me.”
“I’m…I…” Words failed me.
Noticing my struggle, he said, “How about I talk, then? And you can tell me if I’m off base or not.”
I unstuck my tongue long enough to mumble, “Okay.”
“I know you’re worried about your sisters. We wouldn’t be friends if you weren’t the caring, slightly neurotic person you are. I’m guessing something happened today?”
I shouldn’t be surprised. He always knew. “Doesn’t this break the rules? Emotional chats aren’t