woman makes me feel. And that’s the thing that scares me the most. After years of going through the motions with woman after woman, I’m feeling again.
I lift my glass off the counter and raise it. Brooklyn follows suit and we clink glasses. She brings the wine to her lips, her motions slow, languid, deliberate.
I should look away, but I can’t, mesmerized by everything about her, from the way her eyes remain locked with mine, to the way her breathing seems to become more uneven, to the way her lips plump out as she prepares to taste the wine. I’ve never been so jealous of an inanimate object before in my life, but right now, I’d give anything to be that damn wine glass. I almost wonder if she’s putting on this show for me, teasing me, torturing me.
Every muscle in my body hardens as she takes a long sip, then lowers the glass, licking the few drops of residue off her lips. Primal instinct kicks in, my muscles clenching…including those in the hand holding my wine glass.
Instantly, the sound of shattering fills the space, followed by a sharp pain in my hand. I look down at the same time Brooklyn shrieks, rushing toward one of the drawers and grabbing a towel.
“What happened?” Molly hurries into the kitchen area. A scene of pandemonium erupts around me, everyone focusing on my hand. Blood drips onto the white tile flooring, red wine mixing with it.
“I guess I don’t know my own strength.” I laugh, my face flaming.
“Noah!” Molly calls to him. I hear him jump up from where he’s playing with the girls in the living room. “Get in here.”
“It’s okay. It’s not that serious,” I protest, but no one will hear it.
Brooklyn presses a towel against my hand to stop the flow of blood. When I meet her eyes, she gives me a flirtatious grin. I can’t help but smile in response, feeling like this is an inside joke between the two of us. The tension that originally filled me after she walked in and eavesdropped in on my conversation is gone. In its place is a sense of familiarity. No matter the arguments we’ve gotten into, no matter the years I tried to avoid her for fear of her father, we always seem to find our way back to each other and pick up as if nothing happened.
“Let me see.” Noah reaches for my hand, taking it in his.
I’ve always liked him, but right now, I want nothing more than to push him away so I can continue to feel Brooklyn’s skin on mine. Nothing has ever felt so damn perfect.
What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I even thinking about her this way? She’s engaged. Engaged. Not just dating someone. I shouldn’t even be entertaining the thought of flirting with her, not after what I went through with Carla.
Noah pulls me toward the sink, running my hand under the water to wash away the blood. Once it’s clean, he brings it back up to his eyes, surveying the slashes and cuts with the analytical eyes of the doctor he is. Then he grabs a clean towel, wrapping it around my hand.
“Looks to be a few superficial wounds. No glass got in the cuts. Nothing requiring stitches. Just cover it with some bandages and change them regularly. Do you have a first aid kit here? Or I can grab my bag from the car.”
“I’ve got one,” I reply, pulling my hand from his. “It’s just a few scratches. I’m fine.” I turn, keeping my head lowered, the heat of everyone’s stare on me as I round the corner and duck into the bathroom.
Once alone, I inhale deeply, closing my eyes. The instant I do, Brooklyn’s coquettish smile flashes before me and I curse under my breath.
I’m in over my head. But I’d rather drown with Brooklyn than live without her. This time, there’s no overbearing father to threaten me if I were to pursue his teenaged daughter…just a wedding.
Chapter Ten
BROOKLYN
Silence fills the space as we all watch Drew disappear down the hallway. I assume everyone’s looking at him, but when I turn around, they’re all staring at me. My lips part, my gaze searching theirs, eyes blinking repeatedly.
“What?” I ask sheepishly, the way they’re gawking making me feel like I’m naked in public.
Molly’s lips form a tight line as she gives me a knowing look, placing a hand on her hip. “You know what. I was watching you