Since Isla moved in, I’d been eating better. Of course I gave in return by taking her out to eat. I wasn’t a selfish bastard, and I wasn’t about to take advantage of her. For a while, I suspected Isla had feelings for me, and I for her, but both of us kept the feeling locked away. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship if things went wrong. But I realized there was a great chance of something happening, even between friends, when you play house.
Isla and I often said things husbands and wives would say to each other: Goodnight, dear. Honey, I’m home. Love you. Don’t forget to pick up milk. The words flew naturally and we laughed it off, but deep in the recesses of my mind, I wondered what it could be like if we did date.
But … but … but … we had crossed the line. I might have started to cross over first, but Isla encouraged it. And damn, she felt and tasted amazing. Fuck! I was going to want more of her. Control yourself, Josh. I had been doing well so far. I just had to continue, especially since I had to find out if Shelly’s baby was mine. And if so, Isla may not want anything to do with me.
Regret rippled through me. I shouldn’t have kissed her, but when her bright green eyes filled with lust, and she lowered her gaze to my lips as she licked hers, I gave in to temptation. I’d forgotten about Shelly until it was over. Then reality flooded back. I had to get my life straightened out before I even attempted to have a relationship with Isla. She deserved the best of me, not the worst.
After I took a freezing shower, I got ready for bed and debated whether to say something to Isla. We’d agreed to pretend nothing happened, and if I didn’t say goodnight to her like I did every night, she would feel like shit. I knew I would. So I opened the door and shot my eyes open wide.
“Isla. I was just about to come see you.”
Her raised fist, ready to knock on the door, dropped while her eyes lingered on my bare chest. “Josh. I—I—you were about to come see me?” She smoothly changed the subject.
When I raked my hair back, her eyes landed on my biceps. Her longing-filled eyes had me so close to giving in to my desire and taking her in my room. Closing my eyes to contain my lust, I inhaled a deep breath to shut out my thoughts and my dick wanting what it shouldn’t. What I couldn’t have.
But shit, Isla. Did she have to look so damn hot in her night outfit—shorts and a T-shirt? She crossed her arms, to hide her nipples no doubt. But that didn’t stop me from envisioning the beautiful breasts I saw, touched, and tasted. Oh hell, I imagined my mouth on them as she stood before me. Her disheveled auburn hair—wild and full—contrasted with her face, looking innocent with no makeup.
I arched my eyebrows, loosening up, trying to get us back to the way we were. “Yes, I was, but why don’t you tell me why you’re here first?” I gave her my goofy grin—lips twisted, tongue slightly poking out, and eyes crossed.
She smacked my arm and let out a delicious, contagious laugh. When her laughter died, my heart died a little too because I couldn’t have her, at least not yet.
“I came to say goodnight. Since we’re starting over, I thought we keep things … you know … normal,” she said hesitantly, eyes darting to the door, to my bare chest again, swallowing, and then to her perfect, manicured feet.
“I’m glad you came.”
Her eyes shot to mine. “You are?”
“Of course I am. I was on my way to your room to say goodnight.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s good. Thanks. I mean. Goodnight.” She stumbled over her words.
Oh hell. I made it that way. She didn’t sound like my friend Isla, but rather a broken and confused Isla.
“Goodnight, honey.” I played along. “Do I get a hug?” I thought to ease the tension between us, but as soon as she wrapped her arms around me, I tightened with the tension of unfulfilled pleasure.
Isla’s touch burned through my skin, and her body molding to mine unraveled me. Her lavender shampoo filled my nostrils, and I wanted to take her to bed and make love to her all night. We stayed entangled longer than we should have, frozen in time and space. Then Isla pulled away, leaving me cold and empty.
Running her hands through her auburn locks, she didn’t notice she had exposed her T-shirt when she backed away. Oh fuck me! Her T-shirt framed her breast, teasing what I could no longer touch or taste. She gasped and crossed her arms again when my dirty eyes reminded her.
“Anyway. I’m going to see my brother tomorrow, and I’m going to spend the weekend with his family, so I’ll see you whenever.”
Why did that feel like a punch to my gut? It shouldn’t. She had done that two weekends before. “Sure. Have fun.”
“You got any plans?” Her long eyelashes fluttered, curious.
“I’m having dinner with Nathan tomorrow, but not much.”
She nodded and took several steps back. “Okay. Have a great weekend.” Then she turned and walked away.
“You too.” I stared at her fine ass and her long legs until she disappeared out of my sight. Inhaling a deep breath, I got back to bed with my laptop to distract me.