Page 86 of All We Need

I tighten my arms. “Jois a cock block.”

She wrangles out of my hold to straddle my hips.Thebarrier of our underwear needs eradicating.

“Are you working today?”Shepeers down at me coyly.

Lifting a hand,Itwirl a strand of hair around my finger, then let is spring free. “Nah.I’mgoing to meet up withHarrietfor lunch before takingLottieice-skating.”

Her lips tilt up, voice sickly sweet. “That’snice.”

“There isnothinggoing on there.She’slike a sister to me.”

She grimaces. “Asister you gave your virginity to?”

My stomach turns. “Gross.Harrywould tell youI’mtoo young for her anyway.Shehas a thing for older men.”Ashiver runs through her whenIglide my hand down her back, cupping her tight ass and grinding her into me. “Ilike you all hot and bothered over me.”

“Oh, you bother me all right,” she deadpans, then lowers her top half, aligning our fronts.

We lie together, watching the pink sky paint the snowy bluffs.Theheadboard sits flush against the large window spanning the back of my house.Ihave blinds but prefer nature’s alarm.Gullsswoop and dive into the water, circling the trawlers bobbing across the bay.Likethe icicles hanging from the roof, warming under the sun’s rays, she melts into me, soft and pliant in my arms.

“I’m curious.Thepaintings you were selling.Wasit all a ruse to spy on us?”

Her eyes narrow, chin balanced between my pecs. “Yes, and no.Ido paint, butIrarely sell my art.Orat all, really.”

My chest expands at this tidbit of information.Shegives me a crumb that might as well be a banquet.

“Will you show me?”

Her brows hike up.

“Your art.Ifthat’s okay?”Ibrush a lock of hair off her shoulder.

Aly is clandestine to her core.Sowhen a smile erupts, outshining the sunrise behind us, and says, “I’dlike that.”It’sas ifI’vewon the lottery.No.Better.Somuch better.

“I have something for you,”Irush out and lean over to my bedside table. “Closeyour eyes and hold out your hand.”

She stares at me skeptically before obeying.

Rummaging around,Ifind whatI’mlooking for and drop it in her palm.Suddenly,Ifeel stupid, but it’s too late.

Aly’s mouth drops open and she raises the tiny plastic flower. “Isthis…LEGO?”

My face heats. “Yeah.Um, now you can’t sayInever gave you flowers.”Iscratch my jaw. “Youdon’t have to keep it, it’s more of a joke.”Igo to reach for it, but she snatches her arm away.

“Hey, mitts off.”Shesmiles thoughtfully at the little red rose.

Our gazes clash and my heart jumps wildly.Thetension between us evolves.Ifwe speak, it’ll vanish.Sowe stay silent, our breathing shallow as something unknown and tempting ripples.It’salways been there, only now there’s no fighting it.IfIwere to reach out and touch it, sparks would fly, colors would burst, andI’mcertain there’d be no turning back.

The chime of her phone pops our tranquil bubble.

I protest when she plants a chaste kiss to my cheek and jumps off me.

The little vixen licks her lips when her eyes drop to my morning wood. “Dome a favor…”

“I’m listening.”Isit upright, tracking her movements as she slips out of myT-shirt and into her clothes.

“Do nothing about that little problem, okay?”Hergaze drops again.Darkamusement flickers with her devious smile.

“Little?!”Ishout and scramble to the end of the bed as she saunters to the door. “Comeback here and say that to my face,AlessandraArgiros.”

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