“Bailey. You smell like a liquor store threw up on you.” I pull away with a grin.
I wiggle my eyebrows. “Maybe because it did.” She laughs and I swing my gaze to Trevor, my sister’s husband. Trevor and my sister are high school sweethearts. Their love, while sugary sweet and disgusting at times, is one I can only hope to find.
“Happy Birthday, Bales,” Trevor whispers, wrapping me into a tight hug. All these hugs and love. The room is filled to the brim with joy. As soon as Trevor releases me, I take a sip of my drink.
I feel eyes on me, burning through my dress, and branding into my skin.
I know without even looking for him that it’s Elijah. I peek at him out of the corner of my eye. He’s got a glass of whiskey in his hand, and he’s conversing with a couple of friends I only know because they are his business partners.
Butterflies take flight in my stomach. God, he’s so strong, so sexy looking. He commands the room, commands me. Fuck, I don’t know if I can do this. If I can seduce my best friend. If I can get him to take my virginity.
2
Elijah
* * *
I feel like my cock is forever going to be hard, especially if I don’t stop staring at Bailey in that killer dress. I’ve never seen so much of her tits and thighs at one time.
“Off limits. Best friend,” I whisper to myself over and over again. I grip the glass in my hand hard enough for my knuckles to turn white.
“Wow, she looks hot tonight,” Jake tells me, the glass in my hand is seconds from shattering. “I think I’m going to try to make a move again.”
“Again?” I turn, giving him my full attention. Jake is more than one of my business partners, he’s one of my closest friends too.
“Yeah, I hit on her last year, can’t remember where we were. Some birthday party or some shit like that. Anyway, I tried to pick her up that night, but she wouldn’t budge. I think tonight will be the night though. I mean, look at her wearing that fuck-me dress. She’s practically begging for it.”
Oh, I’ve been looking. I have to stop myself from slugging him in the face. Bailey’s not mine. We’re just friends. Friends that could very well be more if only I did the whole more thing. Jake’s entitled to her just as much as the next man is. And yet, that doesn’t mean shit, at least not to me. I don’t have a reason to stand in his way, but I want to.
Jake slaps me on the shoulder before I can stop him. “Wish me luck, man.”
I watch him walk over to Bailey like he’s about to attack his prey. For a moment, I’m frozen, caught up in my thoughts. Is this what she wants? Did she just want to get laid tonight? Is that why she wore the dress she did? The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
That’s not like Bailey. I don’t know much about her dating life. I don’t ask, and it’s not because I don’t care. If anything, it’s because I care too much.
I always cared a little too much about my best friend, which is exactly why I stay out of her dating life. If I don’t ask, I don’t have to think about it. I like to pretend she doesn’t date at all, and so far, it has worked out great for me. And yes, I know I’m being a complete hypocrite.
I don’t want her to be with anyone else while I fuck my way through the city, but the thing is, I can’t help how I feel. I can’t let go of the thought of her possibly being mine someday.
Even with ignoring any part of her sex life existent or not, I know this isn’t like her. She doesn’t flaunt herself off, flirt, or even really drink. While I wonder what’s going on with her, I catch sight of Jake placing his hand on the small of her back while leaning into her. He whispers something into her ear and her shoulders shake with laughter.
Bastard. I know I’m being irrational, more than irrational since Bailey has had to see me with more than my fair share of women, but I don’t want her with him, with anyone really. Part of me wonders if Jake knows about the lustful thoughts circulating through my mind, or if anyone else knows for that matter. Thoughts that include Bailey on her back with her creamy white thighs wrapped around my face. I down the rest of my whiskey, letting it coat my insides with warmth. I’m seconds away from turning around and finding the nearest chick to bury my cock in when I see Jake’s hand lower and slide over the top of her ass. I try and think back to what my father always told me, love em’ and leave em’ son, do it before they can do it to you. I’ve always applied that methodology to my life, never letting a woman inside my heart, no one but Bailey.
Squeezing the glass in my hands harder than needed, I place it down on a nearby table before I make a scene by breaking it.
Motherfucker.
Trying my best to contain the fury burning deep inside of me over something that I have no reason being angry over, I waltz over to them. Coming up on the other side of Bailey, I gently grab her elbow and twirl her around to face me. She gasps at the movement and damn near trips over her own feet, but of course, just like always, I catch her.
“Birthday dance?!” The words come out part question, part command as I lean into her face. Either way, she doesn’t object. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, actually. Even though she has no reason to remain holding on to me, she still hasn’t let go. Her hands clutch onto my arms, her fingers grabbing onto my shirt as if she is scared I’ll run away. As if I could ever do that.
Her sweet scent tickles my nostrils, making my mouth water.
Strawberries and cream.
Fuck, I wonder if she tastes as good as she smells.
“Okay,” she slurs, her vibrant emerald eyes peering up at me. “Let’s dance.” Guiding us out onto the dance floor, I pull her closer, relishing in the feeling of having her in my arms. Towering over her small form, I realize just how much bigger I am than her.
“Thank you… for all of this. The room, for inviting all our friends,” she murmurs, placing her cheek against my chest. I wonder if she can feel how hard my heart is beating, how sweaty my palms are, how nervous she makes me feel even though I’ve got more experience than the normal man with women. This. Her. She makes it worth the while for me. Our friendship, everything about her I cherish, and will for the rest of my life.
Once upon a time, I thought maybe we could cross that line, the one between friendship and something more, but it changed in an instant. The thought of losing her... suddenly became more important than getting a taste of what she had between her legs. The risk wasn’t worth it to me. So while it might kill me to see Jake come onto her, it is what it is.
“I would do anything for you, Bailey. You know that, right?” I ask, hoping like hell that she does. She pulls away briefly, lifting her face so she can see me.
“Of course, I know that.” She giggles softly, but her eyes give her away. While there is joy and happiness reflecting in her gaze, there is something else too, something I can’t quite pinpoint.
“Good.” I lean forward, my lips grazing the top of her forehead. “You deserve the best and I really do hope you’re having a good time.”
The song ends, and I release her with a twirl. Her eyes twinkle with amusement, and she exhales another feminine giggle, before walking back toward Jake, Erin and a couple of other people. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I head toward the bar and order another whiskey. Minutes tick by, and as I stand along the sidelines, watching as she mingles with her sister, some college friends, Sam, and Tina, I think, as well as some other mutual friends that we share. I don’t care about anyone else that’s here, no one but her.