Page 80 of Best I Never Had

“I knew it!” he exclaims, punching his fist into his opposite hand, completely ignoring my denial. “That’s why you got all pissed off when you ran into her ex the other night.”

“Dexter,” I scold. “Can you keep your mouth shut? I beg you.”

“I—”

He’s interrupted by a soft knock at the door. I look at the clock on our microwave, glowing neon green and forever running two minutes ahead. It’s just past ten p.m., and Natalia is a little early.

“Just,” I say, turning back to Dexter, “don’t say anything stupid.”

He responds by grinning as if holding back a big secret. And I glance at him one more time before rounding the corner to our door, giving him another silentwarning.

When I open the door, Natalia is standing there alone. Her body is wrapped in a large trench coat, the belt bound tightly around her small waist. Large bunny ears rest on her head, all lopsided and adorable.

“It’s just you?” I ask, peering over her shoulder.

“Yeah. Carmen and David are going to meet us there.”

I step aside to let her in. When I close the door and face her, her apprehension is clear on her face. For a second, I think that she’s feeling the same tension that’s oozing out of every pore of my body. But then she starts fidgeting with the thick belt wrapped around her waist, and I realize that she’s shy about her costume. And just like that, all of the tension wrapped around the nerves settled in my chest dissipated.

“Are you going to show me your costume?” I ask, a playful smile dancing on my lips.

She smiles through pursed lips and shakes her head.

“What?!” I practically shriek. “I put on this ridiculous thing,” I say, gesturing to my silk robe. “You have to give me a peek at what you look like.”

She rolls her eyes, slowly undoing the ties of her belt. And then she peels back her coat, slowly revealing what’s underneath.

When we discussed costumes, we skimmed over various options from matching banana suits to superhero leotards. I knew what she was going to wear tonight would border that fine line between the Natalia I’ve grown all too familiar with and the Natalia burning through my most coveted fantasies.

I have to practically clamp my teeth into my fist becauseholy fuck. Each one of her legs is wrapped in fishnet stockings, all the way up to the creased curves of her hips. The skintight bodysuit she’s wearing cinches her waist and stops far below her neckline, only outlining the perfect cleavage that rounds the top of her breasts. She topped off the entire ensemble with a white collar and black bowtie wrapped around her delicate neck. And herpouty lips are painted a cherry red, matching the smoky-eye makeup that makes her brown eyes pop against the charcoal hues.

“Don’t laugh at me,” she demands with a small scowl when she sees the struggle on my face. Me? Laugh? What could I possibly find funny when all I can think about is slinging her over my shoulder and dragging her to my room?

I clear my throat. “It looks good on you,” I comment, my voice thick and low. And I don’t mean to, but I stalk toward her, all slow and authoritative, not even caring that I look as pained as I feel not being able to touch her how I want. My steps are deliberate and calculated as I come to a stop inches in front of her. My fingers start playing with the front flaps of her coat, flicking them open a little wider. The pads of my index and middle finger start brushing along the covered parts of her stomach when Dexter steps into the living room to greet Natalia.

“Hellooo,” Dexter calls, too eager and loud. Natalia smiles politely, her hand coming up to wave at Dexter as she turns to face him. “Wow, Nat,” he exclaims, looking her up and down. “You are wearing that costume.” He stoops down to hug her, lifting her off her feet as she giggles against his shoulder. He groans a little too enthusiastically while swinging her body side to side.

“Nice to see you too, Dex,” she says as her eyes curve and the apples of her cheeks round.

“All right, you two,” I say, stepping in between them. “Let’s break it up.”

Dexter finally places Natalia back on solid ground before nudging my ribs with his elbow, giving me a mischievous bounce of his brows. “So how’s that beautiful sister of yours?”

“Carmen?” Natalia asks, a little confused.

“Lucia!” he corrects.

“Oh, Lucy. She’s good.” She looks at me, a confused furrow between her brows deepening as if asking me what the hellthatwas about. I give a lightshrug, continuing our silent back and forth as she takes a small step closer to me.

Dexter nods, licking his lips before reaching for his keys by the door. “Well, tell her I said hi.” He turns to face me, his movements slightly rushed as if he’s late as he heads toward the door. “I’ve got to stop by somewhere on the way. I’ll see you guys there.”

“Oh,” I answer, unaware that our plans have changed. “So we’re going to meet you there instead?”

He nods. “Just let them know you’re on my guest list. You shouldn’t have to wait in the line.”

I nod back.

“Natalia.” He lowers his head. “I will see you and a shot of tequila with your name on it later tonight,” Dexter says as he tips an imaginary hat and walks out the door, leaving me and Natalia. Alone.

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