Page 218 of Champagne Nights

I was happy—happy he came over, happy he ate pizza with me, and happy that I was wrapped in his arms while we sat on the couch. My insides ached for him, and my skin trembled at his touch as his thumb softly stroked my shoulder. I could tell something was bothering him, but I didn’t want to pry. It was funny how we’d only known each other briefly, and I could already sense when something was off.

“Did you catch up with your sister?” I asked as I lifted my head to read his lips.

“I did. It’s great to have her back home.” He smiled.

I wondered if he’d told her about me and if he mentioned something to his parents. Most likely not. Guys were different from women. We'd tell everyone we knew the second we’d meet someone we were interested in. But guys tended to wait longer to make sure the relationship was going somewhere before involving their family.

“What is she studying at college?” I sat up and faced him.

“Finance and investments. She’s interning this summer at our company and will have an office next to mine when she graduates.”

“Lucky girl.” I grinned.

His eyes stared into mine as he brought his hand over and softly stroked my cheek.

“I’m happy I came over tonight.”

“Me too.” I smiled. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“How is it that a handsome and sweet guy like you is single?”

“I guess because the right woman hasn’t come along.” He smiled as he stroked my cheek. “But somehow, I think my luck has changed.”

I trembled from head to toe as I stared into his eyes. My hunger for him was insatiable as I leaned in and brushed my lips against his. Our kiss turned passionate, and within seconds, I was on his lap, straddling him as my hands were planted on each side of his face. His arms wrapped around me, and I could feel his hard cock pressing against me. I wanted him so badly that it hurt. He broke our kiss and slowly closed his eyes as he placed his forehead against mine for a moment.

“I want you, Ellie. I really do. But it’s not the right time,” he signed.

“Why? I don’t understand,” I spoke and signed back.

He carefully lifted me off his lap and stood up from the couch.

“It’s complicated. There are things going on in my life right now that I can’t explain, but I will soon. I promise. I just need you to trust me.”

“Sure. Okay,” I signed as I furrowed my brows.

He took my hand and helped me up from the couch.

“I better get going,” he signed. “I’ll text you.”

He brushed his lips against mine before walking out the door. I didn’t know what was happening with him, and I was getting worried.

Henry

I couldn’t do this anymore, and I couldn’t put it off any longer. After tomorrow night, I’d be a free man. Free from Kirsten and all this wedding bullshit. She was going to be devastated and I felt like a bastard, but I wasn’t in love with her. It wasn’t fair to her or to me.

It was six p.m. the next evening when my phone rang, and Kirsten’s name appeared. Instantly, a knot formed in the pit of my stomach.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Henry. I just got home, and I would like for you to come over. We need to talk.”

“Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

As I was on my way over there, the thought that she possibly would break up with me entered my mind. I hadn’t treated her very well the last few months and with any luck, she’d had enough. I silently prayed to God to let her be the one to call it quits so I wouldn’t have to be the bad guy.

“Hi,” she spoke when she opened the door.

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