Page 5 of Tell Me No

Or what if this could end really badly?

I shake my head and slide out of his hold then set the bottle back on the bar top. “I–I have to go to the bathroom.”

I keep my eyes pointed down as I push past him and walk to the bathroom. It’s only maybe fifteen feet from where we were sitting, but it feels like miles. Each step I take I can feel his stare burning into my back.

When I finally make it to the door, I push it open and lock myself inside. Pressing my back against the door, I rake my fingers through my hair and try to figure out what just happened. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and suddenly I feel sick.

I step forward, dragging my feet quickly until I reach the sink. Turning on the water, I cup my hands under the stream and splash it over my face.

“What. The. Fuck,” I mumble to myself.

Me and Anthony are friends–best friends–so what the fuck is happening? And why is it making my stomach do somersaults? I’ve never looked at him as anything more or less than just a friend, but the electricity crackling between us was undeniable. Is it the drinks? Or maybe the fact he’s single now? Maybe he’s just confused right now.

Maybe I’m confused…

Maybe I’m not.

I shake my head roughly. This can’t be real, can it?

I press the heels of my palms into my cheeks trying to make sense of everything. He shouldn’t have made a move and I shouldn’t have imagined how it would be to be with him–toreallybe with him.

Three soft taps sound out from the other side of the door and make me jump, silencing every thought running through my mind. I don’t even know how much time has passed since I’ve been in here and it makes me feel more anxious than before.

I hurry and swipe my fingers under my eyes to clean up the smudged mascara then drop my hands and smooth out my dress. Taking in a deep breath, I retie the belt of my jacket around my waist then spin to the door.

Gripping the handle, I unlock the deadbolt with my other hand and pull it open. Only, it isn’t another woman waiting to get inside. It’s Anthony.

He looks different than before but this time I know exactly why. My brain is now flipped from best friend to lover thanks to him, and I can’t help but see him in that light no matter how wrong it may be.

My eyes travel along his body, noticing all the things I made sure tonevernotice. Like the large bulge in the front of his slacks, or the veins running up his forearms disappearing into the rolled-up sleeve of his button-up. The delicious scruff stubbled along his strong jaw, and his plump pink lips I would die just to touch with mine. His slick hair that is begging to be tugged while he’s between my thighs…

I let out a shuddered breath and place my hand on my chest trying to calm my erratic heart. I shouldn’t be feeling this way–thinking this way–about my best friend. About the boy I grew up with who has turned into a delectable man. The one who knows everything about me and knows we are more than compatible.

“Mia,” He whispers my name like a prayer.

“Tony…” I echo, finally moving my eyes back to his.

As soon as my line of sight is even with his, it’s like nothing else matters. Every ounce of doubt or worry melts away and I just want to give in, and I know he can see it and feel it too.

Taking a step forward, he doesn’t voice another word. Instead, he grips either side of my face and pulls my lips to his. As soon as they touch, everything in the world feels right. It’s like a realization. Why have we never done this before? Have we been denying ourselves of this fire for over twenty years?

I reach out and anchor my hands to his sides. I ball the fabric of his shirt in my hands and pull him even closer. Our bodies eat up every inch of space between us as our lips move in rhythm as we taste each other for the first time.

His mouth on mine is sweet and soft and so damn warm. His tongue swipes the seam of my lips hungrily, so I part them and let him inside. There is nothing sweet about our kiss. It’s sloppy and desperate. The entire coating of our friendship is melting away and pure dirty lust is left in its place.

I claw at his body, raking my nails across his arms then over his clothed back. He cups my face rougher, snaking his hand to the base of my neck to shove my lips into his harder. We can’t get close enough. We can’t stop touching. Everything about this should feel wrong but it doesn’t.

Moving his hands lower, he grips my ass and flattens my body against his. His chest is hard against mine and the hard bulge in his pants digs into the bottom of my stomach letting me know I’m not the only one feeling the rush of want and need.

“Tony,” I breathe between kisses. “What if–”

He shakes his head, squeezing the cheeks of my ass. “No what if, Mia. You know this was bound to happen just like me. It’s why nothing else ever worked out for either of us. This is fucking destiny.”

His words send a shudder down my spine and have butterflies taking flight in my stomach.

“You want this, right?” He asks, finally pulling his mouth away from mine. “If not, tell me now.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and try to take in more air than it feels is in the room and nod vigorously. “I want this. I want you.”Even though I never realized it till now, I think to myself.

---