thought, closing her in tight. “I can’t believe we have a niece,” she says, her voice muffled against the faded cotton of my t-shirt.
Running one palm up and down her back while the fingers of my other hand move up to cradle the nape of her neck. Her silky tresses tease their way through my fingers and I fight the urge to wind them around the long length until I can tug her head back and claim her lips as mine.
She raises her face. Is she cognizant of my thoughts?
Resting her chin on my chest, her coffee colored gaze flecked with golden embers captivates me. Full pink lips taunt me with every passing second. Every inhale and exhale is synced, our hearts drumming out each longing filled beat. The rest of the world is forgotten as we breathe each other in. We’re connected on a level I’ve never experienced before and as much as I fight my feelings for her, she’s in my veins...burning...pulsing...throbbing.
Exquisite torture. That’s what Elle Johnson is to me.
How do I resist when she’s everything I want?
Pulling her closer, my head lowers. She rises on her toes, fingers pressing on the back of my neck, urging me on. The heat of her breath on my face makes my stomach tighten with desire. Her lids lower as I press my lips to hers. So fucking warm and soft, I want to be connected with her forever. Mouth moving under mine, she’s as hungry for my taste as I am for hers.
“Josh.” Not now, goddamn it. “Josh.” Fuck. Talk about bad timing.
Elle pulls away, abruptly and raises a hand to her lips. Her eyes go wide like a teenager caught kissing when she notices who called my name.
“Liberty.” My eyes swing in her direction and watch as she studies Elle before looking at me.
“Are you ready to go?” she asks, without apologizing for interrupting us.
Glancing at the clock, I realize I need to leave now or I won’t make it in time for my first client. “Yeah, I am.” I want to speak with Elle, but I don’t have time to say everything I need to. Besides, this isn’t the time or place for the conversation we should have. “Will you be here later?” I ask, Elle.
Her shoulders move up and down in a shrug. “I’m not sure.”
“I’ll see you tonight or tomorrow.” I stare at her wanting her to realize how much I’d like to see her.
“Maybe.”
Chapter Twelve
Elle
Affecting indifference around Josh isn’t easy. Each time we’re near one another he chips away at my resistance until I want to catapult into his arms and declare my love for him. When his lips were on mine, I made the decision to throw caution to the wind. Consequences be damned; I wanted to give us a chance.
Then reality once again reminded me in the cruelest way possible I had lost my opportunity. Liberty. Great. I didn’t want to know her name. It was bad enough knowing she exists and means something to him. And, she’s even prettier than I remembered with her light blonde hair and blue eyes. She’s bright like sunshine and I’m dark like mud. It’s impossible to miss the contrast between us and seeing her was the perfect reminder of my place in Josh’s life. Or should I say lack of a place?
“Elle,” Kyle calls my name, interrupting my contemplation. “You can visit now.” He flashes me a smile. I rise to my feet, following, letting myself be encircled by the sheer happiness pouring out of him.
“Janny’s a little tired, but she’s doing great. Lily is sleeping like an angel.” We walk along one beige hallway, before turning down another. He stops mid-way in front of doorway. I notice the white board on the wall outside the room says McKenzie and I smile. My best friend is married and now a mother too. I never would have imagined this scenario. Not in a million years and yet it’s perfect. Janny is right where she belongs and I couldn’t be happier for her.
“Are you ready to meet your niece?”
“Are you kidding? I didn’t think this day would ever come.”
He ushers me into the room before him. I can’t hold in my smile when I see Janny holding baby Lily in her arms. She’s a natural at this.
Janny glances up as I approach, a smile ghosting her lips where they rest on the cluster of blonde hair on Lily’s head.
“Congratulations, mommy,” I say, my eyes filling with tears. “She’s