When Stars Collide (Light in the Dark #2) - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,8
tall that I have to tilt my head back to really look at him and I’m by no means short.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I say, “This is ridiculous.”
“Glad you agree.” He sets his aftershave on the counter.
“I don’t know what to say.” My hands fall to my sides, shoulders sagging in defeat. “And you know that’s unusual for me.” I laugh but it sounds forced. “We said this wouldn’t change things, but look at us. It already has.” I frown.
He crosses his arms over his chest and leans his hip against the counter. He looks me over, trying to read what I’m thinking from my posture, and presses his lips together. “Is it the marriage that has changed things?” he asks. “Or the sex.”
I nearly choke on my own tongue. When I sober, I admit, “Both, I guess. It’s … weird.” I bite my lip, staring hard at his chest, remembering the way it felt pressed against me. “We crossed a line, and I don’t think we can uncross it.”
“So why try?” he asks as his arms fall. In one swift move, he’s in front of me, cornering me against the wall beside the door leading into my room. His eyes fall to my lips and slowly make their way back up, connecting with mine. “We can still be friends and acknowledge the fact that there’s more between us.” His fingers ghost against my chin—they touch there and gone in a second, so fast I’m not sure it really happened.
My heartbeat flutters like a frightened bird, trapped behind my ribcage and desperate to break free. I lean my head against the wall, looking up into his dark eyes. They’ve always looked at me with such … sweetness and maybe the occasional hint of lust or desire, but right now, he looks at me like I’m the answer to every question he’s ever had.
When I don’t speak, he adds, “You’ve already agreed to stay married to me for the summer, I think that implies that we see where things go.” He grasps my hips, digging his own into my center and I can feel his hard length. I moan, holding onto his sides so I don’t collapse onto the floor. “I want you to know you can talk to me, though. You always have. Your fears, your desires, whatever it is, I’m here to listen.”
“Even when it’s about you,” I breathe.
He chuckles, tipping my chin up. “Even then.”
I lay my head against his chest and wrap my arms around his body. He hugs me back, resting his head on top of mine. I feel him exhale a deep breath and his thumbs rub soothing circles on my back.
I step out of his embrace, and he looks me over with uncertainty shimmering in his eyes. “I’m okay,” I tell him, knowing he needs to hear it. “Promise.”
He nods once and disappears into his room.
I head into my room, smiling at the familiarity. It’s good to be home. My room is an explosion of pink and cream. Rae has never been able to get over my love for the color pink. I wouldn’t even say that I’m that much of a girly girl—I just like the color.
I take a quick shower, only rinsing off my body since I showered at the hotel but felt the need to get the airplane ick off of me.
I change into a pair of cotton pants and a loose t-shirt that slips over my shoulder.
I grab my phone off the dresser and pad downstairs and into the kitchen. It’s a little late for lunch, but since we missed out on it from being on the flight and then the drive home, I’m starving.
I rustle around in the kitchen and procure everything I need to make a homemade pizza. I already have the dough laid out and am in the process of spreading the sauce when Xander saunters into the kitchen. He’s changed into a pair of sweatpants and a thin muscle shirt that I swear he’s had since high school.
“Whatcha doin’?” he asks, sliding onto one of the metal barstools that line the kitchen bar.
“I’m hungry, figured you were too. Is pizza okay?” It’s a bit late now to ask him, but whatever.
His lips quirk up on one side. “Pizza’s great—as long as there’s pepperoni.”
I hold up the plastic pack with the individually cut slices and shake it. “I’d never forget.”
He grins, clasping his hands together and laying them on the counter.