Page 44 of Resisting the Running Back

No.

I know that’s a dumb question the moment the thought forms in my brain, though the tux certainly isn’t hurting anything.

It’s him. It’s Miller Matthew Banks. It’s the way he cares for me, the way he shows up for me, the way he believes in me. It’s the way he chooses me, the way he makes me feel like anything is possible, the way he drops everything for me. It’s more than friendship, and as I think back over the years, I realize he’salwaysbeen this way.

Always.

And as I glance over at him with that realization only to find he’s already looking down at me, something changes between us.

The dynamic shifts, and it’s something I can physically feel.

I lean toward him, and I close my eyes as I press my lips to his. It’s our third kiss since we sat down at this table, and while the first two were part of the story I was telling, this is my experimental one.

This is the one that means something. The one speaking to me in a language I didn’t understand before, but as his soft lips press firmly to mine, it’s a language I feel like I’ve known my entire life.

It’s instinct. Pure and simple. And that instinct is telling me that for once, I’m getting this right.

His hand slides along my neck, warm and strong, and I pull back and lean my forehead to his for a beat as I feel a little dizzy, a little unsteady. My hand is still on his thigh, and I have exactly zero intention of moving it.

But then our first course is served, and the heat that was sizzling between us seems to dissipate as I pull back and turn toward my plate. His eyes catch mine first, though, and the heat fires back in full force.

I don’t know if I can eat. I’m nervous and excited as thrills seem to race through my chest.

I want Miller.

The admission is scary, but the way he just kissed me makes me think maybe he wants me, too.

We can be friends who sleep together…right?

Maybe it’ll turn into something more. Maybe I’m not at a point where I’m ready for that, or maybe I’m just realizing I’ve actually been waiting for this for half my life.

Whatever happens, we’ll come out on the other side okay. We have to. He’s my best friend, and I can’t lose him.

But I also can’t go much longer without knowing what it feels like to have him moving inside me, his fist tangled in my hair as his tongue glides against mine.

This is dangerous.Sodangerous. I’m risking my heart here when maybe he’s just putting on a really good act.

But as dinner ends and we find ourselves on the dance floor, he holds me close. He drops kisses on my lips. He makes me feel like the only person in the room despite the crushing crowd and the many fans who want just a second of his time.

“Hey, a few of us are heading to a bar once all our obligations here are fulfilled. You want to come?” Tanner asks as he bumps into us on the dance floor. “Spencer and Grace are in, and Spence said Clay, DJ, and Sam are all coming.”

Miller turns to look at me, and even though I’d rather go home with him, I nod.

More time out means more drinks and more anticipation building between the two of us. It means a little more time to build up the nerve to tell him I want a night with those muscular thighs rubbing against mine.

I drink some water to try to cool down, and then we hop into Tanner and Cassie’s car with them as we head to our next destination. Tanner sits up front since he’s the taller of thetwins, and while it’s a luxury car, it’s still tight with Miller in the middle between Cassie and me.

“That was fun,” Cassie says, breaking into the silence in the car just as Miller’s fingertips slide between mine so he’s holding my hand.

I look up at him, and he’s looking down at me again.

And holy shit, the absolutefirethere makes me glad as hell that I’m already sitting because it’s making me weak in the knees.

I think about tilting my face up so he can catch my lips with his, but there’s nobody in this car we need to pretend for. There’s no reason for me to kiss him other than the fact that suddenlyI want to.

With everything inside of me.

With a passion that’s leaving me breathless.

---