Page 6 of Never Really Mine
She looks stunning.
It’s not that she isn’t always beautiful or stunning, but tonight, she’s taking my breath away. Marley stands across the room with my future sister-in-law, Josie, talking in hushed whispers.
Marley’s long brown hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, the ends curled loosely. Her makeup is soft, muted colors, lips painted a sultry maroon. Her emerald silk dress clings to her every curve, a high slit up her right leg, baring her smooth skin. The cut is a low V, showing off her cleavage, leaving little to the imagination. If I look close enough, I can just barely see the outline of her nipple piercings, leaving me trembling, aching for more, to see them bare. To see her laid out before me like my last feast, eager to be touched, claimed, finally made mine. My mind drifts to the day I fucked up worse than ever before, but… fuck, I couldn’t help it. Seeing her in that lingerie? Nearly killed me dead.
Driving through town with the windows down, I slow as I pass by Marley’s new photography studio. I helped her with the purchase, and from the sounds of it, she’s getting settled well.When I see her car in the spot out front, I halt, pulling in next to it without a second thought.
I get out of my vehicle, heading toward the front door. I peek in the front window, noting the small glimmer of light I can just barely see. I tug on the front door, unsure of how to feel when I learn it’s unlocked. She should have the door locked if she’s here alone. You never know what kind of people are out there, even in a small town like ours. Just ask my brother, Thomas. Just a few months ago, he was telling us how there is word of sex traffickers in the drug circles. He’s been working on a case for nearly a year, trying to bust them, but can’t seem to track it down.
Giggles fill the air, and I recognize Marley’s laugh, and another vaguely familiar voice. I don’t want to scare them, so I call out her name. “Mar?”
Her slightly irritated voice calls back. “What are you doing here?” I know she’s been upset with me since I announced I was going on a date a few weeks back, and I want to clear the air.
I stride through the small studio as I speak. “I was in the area, so I figured I would stop by and see if you needed help with anyth—'' My words cut off with an audible gulp, because when I see Marley,my Marley, standing in front of me wearing the world's sexiest lingerie, I nearly swallow my tongue.
We stand there in an epic staredown. Her body is just barely covered, leaving not much to the imagination. The deep green lace is nearly see through. If she turned around, I’m sure I would be left with an incredible view of her ass, one that I’ve fantasized about for years. My eyes trail up her stomach to the curve of her breasts, stopping when I see the outline of her nipples through the sheer fabric.
Holy hell. She hasnipple piercings?Kill me now. I’m done for. I suspected that she did after years of faintly seeing something on her chest, but I never had the guts to ask, andnow that I can physically see them, I have to fight the blood that is making an effort to rush south.
Her tattoos are on display, and I note one I’ve never seen before on her ribs: a vine covered in a floral pattern with little butterflies flying from the stems. God, I love this woman so much, every inch of her. Every piece of her soul is so woven into mine that I don’t think I can live without her for another moment.
Words fail me, and I realize I need to say something. “Wha—” I clear the lump from my throat. “Why are you in lingerie?”
Her hands settle on her hips as she gives me an irritated look. “I read up on it. Clients can feel more comfortable when they’re not alone in being half naked.” Her voice is strong, unwavering.
My mind can’t process thoughts, but I ask, even though I heard someone else earlier. “You did a session today?”
“Yes. The client is still here actually, so can we make this quick?” she snaps, her voice growing increasingly irritated. It softens ever so slightly when she says, “Why are you really here, Beau?”
She has always seen right through me. “You’ve been ignoring me.”
She scoffs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I haven’t been ignoring you, I'm busy.”
Now it’s my turn to get irritated. “You sure? Because the minute you found out I was dating someone, you shut me out. Why is that, Marley?” I try to rein it in, but there’s a haze over me now, fighting to make her see that I’m just trying to survive, trying to make my way through life without her asmine. “You’re my best friend. I don’t want to live without you. We’re in our thirties, it’s normal to date.”
Marley stiffens, not breathing, not speaking. My chest heaves as blood pounds in my ears. Is this it? Is this the final nail in the coffin of our friendship? Or is it the opening to more?
I seal my fate with nine words. I don’t know why I say it, some sort of caveman urge settles over me. “I don’t want guys to see you wearing that,” I mutter.
My heavy statement falls like lead, landing and exploding like a nuclear bomb.
I run a hand through my long hair, knowing that I just fucked up. I ruined everything.
Marley lets out a wicked laugh. “Oh, that’srealfucking rich, Beau. Why, might I ask, don’t you want guys to see me wearing lingerie? I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s not because you think I don’t look good in it.”
I try to speak, but she interrupts me, holding up a hand. Her dark eyes fall to the floor, her entire posture turning defeated. “No. Just… go. I don’t want to do this with you. You have a girlfriend, and I’mjustyour best friend.” She pauses, and my heart splits in two. Doesn’t she see that she’s so much more? That she isliterally everythingto me? That the only reason I’ve lived with the pain of not having her for this long is to protect her?
Marley continues, “The one to hold you while you cry, the one to make sure you’re okay after she inevitably breaks up with you.”
Anything I were to say now would fall on deaf ears, so I offer one final apology. “I’m sorry. I’ll go.” I turn, heading to the door, but I can’t leave without saying one more thing. “I’ll talk to you later, Mar. I hope you’ll forgive me for being an ass.”
She says nothing as I push the door open, leaving her behind me.
I don’t know where to go from here. I hadn’t planned on dating Ashley for long—she’s simply someone to distract mefrom the aching hole in my chest in the shape of Marley’s heart—but now, I fear we may never break through the barrier holding us apart.
Marley coyly glances over where I’m sitting alone at the bar, her eyes widening when she realizes I’m already watching her. I take a long sip of my gin and tonic, letting the cool liquor slide down my throat. It eases some of the anxiety churning in my gut. Her eyes dart away within a second, returning to her conversation with my other brothers, Jason and Thomas.
The glass of wine in her hand is empty.
