Page 39 of Make My Heart Malt

Her gaze flits to mine. “Shit. I didn’t think of that.” She tips back the last gulp. “I’ve had three drinks, plus the ones I had at dinner.” She peers at the ceiling and taps her fingers together as if she’s counting. “I should be good to leave by 2 a.m.”

I scoff. “And get home at four.”

“I do it all the time at work.”

“But you also only have a ten-minute drive and not two hours.”

“I’ll sleep in my car.”

“It’s December.” She runs her teeth over her bottom lip. I’m sure she’s trying to conjure up any sort of excuse she can. “Stay here.” My voice is low and gravelly.

“I’m not paying for a room.”

“Stay with me. In my cabin.”

She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You can’t be serious? It’s a wedding. Isn’t it customary for all the single guys to hook up with the single bridesmaids?”

“Are you one of the bridesmaids?”

Her eyebrows pinch together as if the answer to my question is simple. “No.”

“Then I don’t want to spend the night with a bridesmaid. There’s only one girl I want to spend the night with, and I’m looking right at her.” With my arm still around her waist, I slide to move in front of her so we’re facing each other. “What do you say? It beats driving home at 2 a.m.”

I’m not ready to let her go. I want to spend as much time with her as possible, even if it only involves sleeping, but I really hope it involves more. Even if it’s only to feel her soft skin under my palms, her body pressed against mine, my lips trailing over the column of her neck. Fuck, if I don’t stop thinking about her, the bulge in my pants will be a dead giveaway of what I want to do tonight.

“I don’t have any clothes.”

“I have an entire suitcase full, so you can borrow something of mine.”

“I don’t know.” The air around us crackles with heated tension. “But I really like my pajamas.” Her lips split in a slow smile. Now she’s just teasing me.

“If you don’t like what I have, you’re fully welcome to sleep naked. I’ll make sure to keep you warm.” Her cheeks flush pink. We haven’t seen each other naked since the night at her townhouse, but I’ve sure thought about it. Based on the current heated expression on her face, she has, too.

She grabs my lowball out of myhand and slams the last drop of the amber liquid. Her face scrunches and she shakes her head. “I don’t know how you can drink straight whiskey but balk at a shot of tequila.”

“I sip the whiskey. I don’t sip tequila. So, what’s your answer?”

Her tongue peeks out and wets her bottom lip. “Okay. I’ll stay, but only because I don’t want to drive home.”

That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever heard, or at least not the sole reason she’s staying, but I’ll take it. “What do you say?” I nod toward the exit. “Want to turn this into a party for two?”

A twinkle glints in her dark eyes. Maybe she wants this just as badly as I do. “Lead the way.”

NINETEEN

I’M TAKING YOU WITH ME

Dessa

My future self better not regret this because right now my present self’s vagina is in charge and gives zero fucks about future self. When he told me I could wear whatever I wanted from his suitcase, my nipples jumped to attention. As a teenager, I loved stealing—borrowing—his hoodies. I still have a couple in my closet, including my favorite Harbor Highlands Trojans Baseball hoodie. As much as I wanted to, I could never toss it in the garbage. Plus, they were too comfortable.

Damn. I wish I had more champagne right now. I’m on my last thread of controlling my willpower against Garrett. If I stay with him tonight, I know exactly how the night will end. But fuck. It’s Garrett. At his brother’s wedding. Who I also used to date. Garrett’s wearing a suit and looking extra delicious. It’s almost as hot as hisbaseball uniform. I wonder if he has that in his suitcase? We could role-play with him as a pitcher and me as the catcher.

“Ready?” Garrett asks, squeezing my hand.

I nod. If I open my mouth, I’m afraid the next words out will be “Fuck me, Garrett. Wrap your hand around my neck and fuck me.” So, it’s best if I remain silent. At least until we’re out of earshot of anyone else.

As we exit the reception, a shiver runs down my spine, and I hug myself tightly as we make our way to coat check. Garrett passes our numbers to the attendant and steps to move behind me. His warm, comforting hands glide up and down my arms, as if all the happiness in the world resides within his simple touch. I relax against his warm chest, loving his hands on me, even if it’s as innocent as keeping me warm.

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