Page 54 of Keeping Skylar
Sometimes, it feels like she’s trying her best to avoid me, offering excuses like being too tired or needing to prepare for her class the next day. More often than not, she spends her evenings locked away in her room, only coming out when she needs something from the kitchen. I’d be lucky to have a conversation with her that lasts more than a few sentences.
I’m not sure when things changed, but ever since I played her my song that night, she’s been acting differently—more reserved, more distant.
My mind keeps replaying that night, trying to pinpoint when things started feeling off between us. I can’t help but wonder ifsomething I said or did made her pull away. I’m hoping tonight we’re able to have more than just a brief conversation and that she’ll feel a little more comfortable, especially with Hannah here to help ease the tension.
The girls are on their fourth cocktail of the evening, having just finished our meals, and I can already see Skylar starting to loosen up. I’ve caught her glancing my way a few times, and I’ve been doing the same. There’s just something about her I can’t figure out yet. Every time she’s near, I feel this magnetic pull, like I’m desperate to get close to her.
Hannah’s loud squeal snaps me out of my reverie. She and Nate have been all over each other since we sat down, and it’s only getting worse as they become more intoxicated.
“Sit on my lap, babe,” Nate teases as he slaps his thigh, a devious grin spreading across his face.
Hannah scrunches up her nose, pretending to be grossed out, and attempts to slide her chair further away from her fiancé. “Eww, creep! Not here!” she quips.
Jesus Christ. These two need to get a fucking room. They’re practically eye-fucking each other and the sight makes me want to gauge my own eyes out.
As if reading my mind, Skylar looks up from her phone and asks, “Do you guys need a room? I’ve got nothing against voyeurism, but unless you are, you’re giving everyone a front-row seat to your foreplay show tonight.”
I snort into my drink and the sound makes her snap her head towards me.
Her sultry smile and the way she teasingly sips her cocktail while locking eyes with me has me wondering just how tipsy she is.Is she trying to flirt with me right now?
“Uh, no, we don’t.” Hannah rolls her eyes, her cheeks turning a dark shade of pink.
“Nate just gets like this when he’s been drinking.”
“Nate, brother. Wait until you get home, man. I really don’t want to witness you feeling up my sister when I’m right here.”
I jerk back as I’m suddenly sprayed with something wet and cold, and then I quickly realise that Skylar has accidentally spat out her drink.
She covers her mouth, fighting to suppress a laugh. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry, Heath.” She hiccups, making Hannah and Nate break into laughter. She reaches across the table to grab a napkin and starts wiping the splatter off my jaw and neck, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through my body.
I shake my head, letting out a low chuckle as I take the napkin from her and wipe the remnants of her drink from my mouth and chin. I try—and I mean really try—not to lick the last drops from my lips, but I fail miserably. The sweet hint of her mouth still lingers, and damn it, I can’t help but savour it.Heath, you pervert.
I clear my throat and grin at Skylar. “I’ve never had a mojito shower before, but it definitely feels and tastes refreshing.” I wink, earning me another laugh from around the table.
Hannah shakes her head, wearing a ‘you’re so lame’ expression on her face, while Nate waggles his eyebrows at me. The prick loves to taunt me, and I’m almost certain he’s going to give me shit about this later.
I’ve been trying to act casual around Skylar all night, but seeing her laugh and joke with Hannah and Nate, looking so carefree and incredibly sexy, is making it really difficult to keep my feelings in check.
I’m ridiculously drawn to this woman—to the point, where she’s constantly on my mind, day and night. I think about how her eyes light up when she talks about work and her family, and how those irresistible dimples appear every time she smiles or laughs.
Sometimes, all it takes is her walking into a room, and I’m already struggling to keep it together. Everything about her captivates me ... and drives me insane at the same time. I’ve only known Skylar for a week, and it feels like I’m already feeling too much.
Hannah is right; the last thing Skylar needs is for me to complicate things by getting involved with her.
I need a moment to breathe, to take a step back before I do something impulsive and completely out of character—like lean across this table and kiss her senseless right here in the middle of the restaurant. Maybe I should find a distraction—anything to clear my head—but I’ve got no idea what that could be.
Feeling the sudden urge to escape for a moment, I push back my chair, mumble a quick excuse, and head straight for the restroom.
Once I’m locked safely inside the men’s room, I take a few deep breaths and try to shake off the ridiculous thoughts swirling in my head. It’s starting to get out of hand. I can’t even make it through one night with Skylar without feeling the overwhelming need to touch her, to kiss her. She’s my roommate, for God’s sake—this is dangerous territory.
Maybe it’ll help if I hook up with someone tonight and get it all out of my system. It’s been a while since I’ve had sex, and living with Skylar hasn’t exactly made my dry spell any easier.
Yep. I should just do it. I should just go out there and find a really sexy woman to flirt with. And hopefully, if it all goes well, we can leave here by the end of the night for a bit of fun. I can do this.I’ve done this many times before.
I splash some cold water on my face and wipe it dry with a paper towel before stepping out and heading straight to the bar.
Once I reach the bar, I quickly scan my surroundings. A few minutes later, I spot two gorgeous women sitting at the end ofthe bar, a couple of feet away. The blonde bombshell catches my eye and smiles.Bingo!
