Love Like Her (Against All Odds #3) - Claudia Y. Burgoa Page 0,29

table. In the shower. This time we’re not rushing the moment. But every time, he thrusts hard, claiming me. My pussy clenches around his cock. The world stops when we’re like this. The only sounds are of the two of us moaning, kissing, and touching the most intimate parts of ourselves.

On Thursday, Dad is discharged from the hospital. The doctor gives us instructions for his care. He should be able to be up and about within twelve weeks. However, Dan made him promise that he won’t go back to the office for a year. They’re going to spend the next few months together enjoying each other and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

I’m officially in charge of his company. That thing I refused to do. Ironic, isn’t it?

“This view is fucking amazing.” Eros stares at the Golden Gate Bridge. “I wouldn’t mind working from here.”

“You’re hired.”

“Though I’m thankful for your offer, I’m sure you’ll regret it by Monday.”

“What are you going to do next?”

He turns to look at me and smiles. “I found what I’m passionate about. I just need to make it work.”

“You will,” I assure him, but in some ways, I feel like this is the part of the story where we have to go our separate ways. The last day we share something special. I’m afraid that we’ll never see each other again. Or maybe… “Do you think the next time we see each other we’ll be able to say, I’m finally on top of the world?”

“Well, I have your number, so we can text often. I don’t see the need to wait until the next time serendipity pushes us back into one place, do you?” he questions.

I shake my head.

“Maybe I could visit you often, and you could—”

“No,” I stop him.

“What?”

“You’re about to say let’s try to have a long-distance relationship, aren’t you?”

He grins. “I don’t even know what I wanted to offer,” he confesses. “We’re both in a weird place in our lives.”

“Plus, I don’t believe in long-distance relationships.”

“Have you ever tried it?”

I nod. “At the end of my freshman year in high school, I dated this cute sophomore. Mom had plans to travel with her friends. She sent me to California earlier than usual. He was dating someone else within three weeks.” I shrug.

“We’re not kids.”

“No, but we’re both busy. How often are we going to call each other, text, or even see each other?” I argue.

“But we can be friends, right?”

“Always, Eros.”

He takes my hand, pulling me out of my chair and into his arms, and kisses me hard. As if this might be the last kiss we share for the rest of our lives.

Chapter Fifteen

Eros

“Why do I feel like I haven’t seen you in weeks?” Persy asks when she enters my house.

I look up from my computer. “Would it be because we haven’t seen each other in a couple of weeks?”

“Someone is touchy today,” she complains.

“No, just busy,” I answer.

There are days like today that I want to ask her to hand me the keys to my house.

“What are you doing?”

“Are you bored?” I ask, grabbing my coffee mug.

“No, just doing some research,” she answers, taking a seat. “You’ve been busy. What are you working on?”

“A proposal.” I grunt.

Can she leave?

Eros: Do you still want one of my sisters?

Liv: You can’t just give them away like souvenirs. Why are you asking?

Eros: Persy is at my house. She’s a classic case of pain in the ass.

It’s been a day since I came back from San Francisco, but it feels like weeks. I miss Liv in a way I never imagined would be possible. I have conflicting thoughts about her and our time together. I wish I had stayed. All the emotions she provokes terrify me, yet, pull me to her.

Who knows what would’ve happened if she had agreed to try to have a long distance relationship. I don’t even know why I suggested it.

Who am I kidding?

I like her—a lot.

I want her.

I almost need her like I need oxygen.

Liv isn’t just any person. She is a cyclone of emotions. Colorful and happy as a wildflower. She’s a flame that brands my soul every time we touch. Her light is so intense, I want to walk toward her and run away at the same time.

My heart wants to surrender to her. My head keeps reminding me that I’m not ready to be with anyone. Let alone her.

The ambiguity couldn’t be clearer—or more confusing.

That’s Olivia Evelyn to me.

The most beautiful chaos who might be best to admire