Page 68 of A Better Place

James leans forward a little bit, taking my hand in his. He glances down before looking at me in the eye. “I don’t think… I know I promised. And I’m not going back on that promise, I swear, but Carly, you gotta know I want more. And after last night, I know you do, too. I realize it was Drunk Carly talking, but they always say there’s more truth in drunk talk, right?”

I try to pull my hand back, but he won’t release it. “What did I say?”

“Like word for word or just in general?”

“In general’s good,” I whisper.

“That I’m everything, lickable, and your lobster.”

“James! I thought you said I don’t have anything to be embarrassed about!?” I shout and slap him on the knee with my other hand.

“You don’t!” he promises. “I swear! Don’t you think I wanted to hear that? I’ve been waiting weeks to hear that come out of your mouth!”

We both laugh then stare at each other for a bit. I lick my lips a couple times and turn my head to the side, away from the intensity in his eyes.

“Carly, c’mere,” he says.

I hesitate only a second before I move over to him when I feel him tug on my hand. He moves his leg to make room for me as I turn, my back to his front as he wraps his strong arms around me. He leans down and kisses the side of my head and squeezes his arms tighter around me.

“You know I would wait forever for you,” he says into my ear, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nod my head against his shoulder, tears building in my eyes. I do know this. He’s made it clear, but I’m done fighting it. I’m done letting Vince and his jackassery win.

“I know,” I whisper back.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he pleads.

“I don’t think I want to be your friend anymore, James,” I tell him and lean my head to the side so I can see his face.

His eyes never stray from mine. I don’t know if he’s looking for hesitation or confusion on my part, but it’s not there. I want this. I need this. And I’m ready.

“Finally,” he growls as his mouth crashes into mine. Moments after our lips touch for the first time, his tongue begs for entry, to which I immediately allow. I turn over completely so our chests are pressed together. His right arm wraps around my waist, pulling me tighter against him as his left hand goes into my hair, his fingers splaying against the back of my neck, keeping my face close. His lips are soft and bruising at the same time, claiming me and letting me know that he’s all in. It’s not hurried or rushed. It’s slow and sweet and sensual and eager. It’s everything. All at once.

My body feels like it could erupt in flames at any moment, especially when I shift slightly and can sense what I’m doing to him, showing me we’re not only emotionally together in this, but physically as well.

I’ve learned that when I’ve been waiting for something for so long, even something I wasn’t even sure I wanted in the first place, it feels so much better than if I’d received it right away. I didn’t realize I wanted so much with James until this very moment. And I’m not going to take a moment for granted.

“Carly.” James moans into my mouth, spurring me on further.

If possible, I push myself deeper into his body as I pull my knees up so I’m straddling him. His hands move over my back and trail lower until he’s cupping my butt. He squeezes just slightly before his hands slide back up toward my waist. I want to tell him to move them back, but the feel of everything happening in the moment is too overwhelming to make any coherent words come out of my mouth.

I turn my head slightly as I pull back, gasping for air. He brings my face back to look at him in the eye and growls, “Not done yet.” Before bringing my mouth back to his in a powerful kiss. I press into him, our centers crashing against each other. His hard and my soft, and he lifts his hips, circling them against me causing him to groan so deeply I feel it in my chest. Or maybe it’s me. I honestly can’t be sure. Our mouths are moving against each other’s in a dance that feels like it has been perfected over time, but in reality? It’s just that right.

Slowly our mouths part and I lean up, my right hand over his thumping heart and my left hand against the couch.

“James,” I whisper.

“Yeah,” he says and swallows.

“I can’t…” I cover my mouth as a laugh bursts out of me.

“Well, that’s not really what I expected.”

“No! No. Oh geesh. James, that was… Holy shit.”

He raises his eyebrows as he shifts under me.

“Oh! Oh,” I say and quickly scramble off him. I had to have been hurting him. He wasn’t exactly in the most comfortable state.

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