Faking Ms. Right (Dirty Martini Running Club #1) - Claire Kingsley Page 0,52
took a while before we were given another update. We all stood as soon as the doctor came out. Ethan was doing better and so far showing no sign of a secondary reaction. He’d been at a restaurant and had been served something contaminated with peanuts. It made me furious. I wanted to burn that fucking restaurant to the ground.
But Everly slipped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest. I held her close, ignoring the line I was crossing. My dad was here now, so it stood to reason I could do this—hold her and stroke her arm with so much familiarity. But I wasn’t doing it for him, any more than I’d held her hand for show. This had nothing to do with our ruse, and I didn’t give a fuck.
I wanted this. Needed it. Needed her.
Eventually, we were all taken back to see Ethan. He’d been admitted overnight as a precaution, so the nurse led us to his room on another floor. Everly, Dad, and I waited outside while Grant went in first. Gave them some privacy.
When we went in to see my brother, he looked pale, but smiled. He was hooked up to an IV and there were still traces of redness and swelling around his mouth.
I stood at the foot of the bed, my hand once again clasped with Everly’s. “It’s good to see you’re okay.”
“Thanks.” His voice sounded hoarse. “I still feel like I got hit by a bus, but the worst is over.” His gaze flicked to Everly and he raised an eyebrow at me.
“Sorry, I know this is private and not the best way to meet, but I’m Everly.” She wiggled her fingers at Ethan and Grant. “I’m really glad you’re all right.”
“It’s still nice to meet you,” Ethan said.
She squeezed my hand. “I’ll wait outside. Take your time.”
I spoke quietly with Ethan, Grant, and Dad for a few more minutes before excusing myself. Ethan was okay, and he needed rest after his ordeal. He had Grant to support him and Dad said he’d stay a bit longer.
“Are you ready to go?” Everly asked.
“Yeah.”
She slipped her hand in mine as we walked down the long hallway. It felt good to touch her like this. Natural, like she really was my fiancée. Like that ring on her finger wasn’t just for show.
We stopped in front of the elevator and I pushed the button to the parking garage.
I glanced at her. “Thank you for coming.”
She looked up and smiled. “Of course. I’m glad he’s okay.”
“Me too.”
I didn’t look away, losing myself in her eyes—those sparkling pools of blue. Neither did she. Her expression changed, her smile fading into a look of resolve. She grabbed my shirt, right in the center of my chest, popped up on her tip toes, and kissed me.
Her soft lips pressed against mine for a few seconds before she pulled back. Her eyes widened and she took a breath as if to say something. I didn’t wait to find out what it was.
Surging in, I cupped her face and kissed her back. For a beat, we were both stiff. But like ice on a hot day, she melted into me, her body going languid. She slid her hands up my chest and around my neck, leaning into me.
I traced the seam of her lips with my tongue. She opened for me, tilting her head, sliding her tongue against mine. God, this felt good. A deep sense of satisfaction filled me. I’d wanted to do this for longer than I’d let myself admit. And now that I was, it felt better than I’d imagined.
Our mouths tangled, tongues mingling. A long, deep kiss, pushing all my thoughts aside. Vaguely, I was aware that we were blocking someone’s access to the elevator. I didn’t give a shit. I was going to kiss the hell out of this woman, right here and now.
Gradually, I pulled away. We stood together in silence for a long moment, foreheads touching.
“Wow,” she breathed. “That was… I don’t… where are we?”
I laughed softly and brushed her hair back from her face. “That wasn’t in the plan, was it?”
“No.”
“Thank you again for being here.”
Her tongue darted out over her lips. “That was a really nice way to say thank you.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. I ushered her inside and hit the button for the parking garage.
She tucked her hair behind her ear. “So, are you going home now?”