I stood and went to refill my coffee, at a loss for words. I stared at the machine, watching as the coffee dripped into the mug. When a pair of hands found my hips, spanning my waist, I startled.
“Morning, Pocket.” Justin’s rich voice rumbled through me.
From behind me, his body radiated warmth and security. Home. That’s what being in Justin’s arms felt like—coming home. But this was temporary, and we were just pretending.
Chapter Four
JUSTIN
I took a seat on the couch, and Brie plopped down next to me. Her sweater slipped off her shoulder, exposing more of her tantalizing skin and her lacy bra. Today it was an emerald green, and I ached to run my fingers over it. So, I did.
I grinned to myself as I ran my thumb along her collarbone, watching as she stilled at my subtle touch. Or was it that Evan had entered the room, taking a seat on the armchair by the fireplace?
“What’s the plan for today?” Violet asked, falling into his lap.
Evan pulled her closer, kissing her like he hadn’t seen her in months not minutes. Brie clenched her jaw and stared straight ahead.
I leaned in to ghost my nose along her ear, her jaw. “You look so sexy.”
She laughed, and I briefly wondered if she thought I was joking. “You mean, now that I’m not wearing a big pair of hairy balls on my chest.”
“Well, there’s that.” I chuckled, thinking back on last night. “But no, I mean it. You’re so incredibly beautiful.” I cupped her cheek with my hand, leaning in for a kiss.
“Aww.” Violet’s voice cut through the fog of lust. “You guys are too cute.”
Evan didn’t seem to think so, grumbling something under his breath that had me narrowing my eyes at him. My plan had been to ignore him entirely, but he was making it extremely difficult with his snide remarks.
“I can’t believe you won the stupid sweater contest again.” Brie pouted, and I knew she was trying to change the topic. So, I let her.
I smirked, leaning back to drape my arm over the couch as the Hallmark Christmas movie resumed playing. I’d only agreed to watch it because I knew it would make Brie happy. Violet seemed excited it was on, whispering with Evan about tiaras and weddings.
“Why is it so surprising?” I asked, doing my best to pretend they weren’t in the room. “If I want something, I don’t stop until I get it.” I was looking at her when I said it, but she was too busy to notice.
“I know. It’s one of the things I love most about you,” she said. Her curls curtained her face, and I silently cursed them for obstructing my view.
“So, kids—” Mrs. C burst into the room, decked out in a red sweater and matching lipstick. “Are you ready to have some fun?”
Evan huffed out a laugh as if the idea of “fun” were beneath him. Prick.
“What kind of fun?” Brie asked.
I had a few ideas for the two of us, but I figured it was best to keep those to myself. After I’d awoken to find her side of the bed empty, I wasn’t sure how receptive she’d be anyway. Still, I was going to take every opportunity to kiss her, touch her, to show her how amazing we could be together. Last night had only renewed my determination.
“There’s a new outdoor ice rink—on the rooftop of one of the buildings downtown.” Mrs. C grinned.
“That sounds amazing,” Brie said, and Violet nodded her agreement.
“I’m in.” I grabbed Brie’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
We broke up into two groups—Violet and Evan in one car with Mr. C. Brie and me with Mrs. C.
“I know I already said this last night,” Mrs. C said, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror as she drove across town. “But I’m so happy for you two.”
“Thanks, Mrs. C.” I dipped my head, unable to meet her eyes as guilt churned through my gut. Mrs. C had been like a second mom to me, and I was lying to her face.
I was lying to her daughter’s too. But how could I possibly tell Brie how I felt about her? I was terrified of fucking this up—of losing her for good. And yet, I remained convinced that we were meant to be together. And not just as friends.
When we finally arrived at the ice rink and got out of the car, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Think you’re going to be warm enough?” I asked Brie as I watched her bundle up.
It was cooler today, and while I had on a sweater, she was decked out in a jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.
She swatted at me, but I dodged her attempt. “It’s cold on the ice.”
I jogged over to her, wrapping my arms around her from behind as we teetered on the parking lot surface. This was us—we played, we teased, we touched.
“I’ll keep you warm.” The words were spoken low in her ear, intended just for her.
She laughed and pushed against me, but I didn’t let her go. I grabbed her hand before she could walk away, lacing our fingers together.
“Justin,” she hissed, glaring at me behind her mom’s back.
I smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek, grateful that Mrs. C seemed oblivious to our antics.
Everyone grabbed their skates, and I easily laced mine before turning to watch Brie. She seemed aggravated, muttering to herself as she yanked on the tongue, nearly toppling off the bench in the process.
I hadn’t heard her conversation with Violet this morning—not much of it anyway. But enough to believe they’d mended some fences. But with Evan constantly kissing Violet, I knew it had to be wearing on Brie. Even if she was over him, it couldn’t be easy to watch your ex with the woman he was going to marry.
I knelt to the ground before her, taking her laces in hand. Mr. and Mrs. C were already on the rink, dodging a pack of kids who were laughing and squealing. Evan and Violet were out of earshot, too absorbed with each other anyway to notice anyone else.
“Are you upset about Evan and Violet?”
“No.” This she said through gritted teeth.
Instead of pushing her like I wanted to, I stood and held out my hands. She glanced at them and then up at me before standing on her own.
Okay. So, clearly, I’d done something to piss her off. While I replayed last night and this morning in my mind, she took off, dashing across the ice. I let her go, knowing she needed to let off some steam. Hell, I needed to let off some steam, but it was going to take more than an ice rink to cool me off.
Brie was…fuck, she was sexy. And having her writhing beneath me, moaning with pleasure as I kissed her senseless, had been even better than I’d imagined. But then she’d grown silent, withdrawing into herself.
While she’d slept, I’d stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours, wondering if I’d pushed too far, asked too much. Her body seemed to want me, but I didn’t just want her body. I wanted her heart. And with every day, every moment, that passed, I was running out of time.
That reminder snapped me out of it. And I sped over to where she was standing, back resting against the side of the rink.
“Tired already?” I teased.
She shook her head, and I followed her gaze to one of the banners across the street advertising a Christmas market.
“You want to go?” I asked, knowing how much she’d love something like that.