Page 26 of Stick to the Plan
My eyes prickle with unshed tears, and I bite my lip to keep it from wobbling. “It could ruin everything. My career, this promotion. You know I busted my ass to get here. I have a plan, dammit. If I just stick to the plan, everything is going to be fine.” I sniffle and aggressively wipe at my cheek as a tear falls.
Nic lifts my chin to force my attention to her. Brows furrowed, eyes serious, she squeezes the hand she still holds.
“People can’t plan their lives like one of your projects, baby girl. You’re so focused on five years from now, you’re missing everything around you. After Chris left, you stopped living because the idea of getting hurt again scared you, and we let you. It’s time, though. Time to feel again. I can’t think of anyone better to help than that honest, kind man who can’t keep his eyes off you.”
I lean forward and bury my face in her shoulder as I sob. She is right. I had stopped living, pushing all emotion to the back and buried myself in my career. The truth is, I hadn’t even realized I’d done it until Colin arrived. I want to be a complete person again, shatter the ice queen.
As I clutch Nic, the dam on my emotions bursts, and feelings long buried pour out. Pain. Betrayal. Rage. Loneliness. Self-doubt. I cry them all out as my friends make comforting sounds and stroke my arm and hair. When I am finally spent, I sit back on the couch with a sigh. Nic and Anna bookend me, each resting a head on my shoulder.
“You’re right.” My voice is barely a broken whisper.
Anna holds a tissue out to me. “Bright side. If he’s a dud in bed, it’ll be easy to ghost him in Ireland.”
Nic groans on my other side. “Shut your mouth. If that man is a dud, I have zero hope for the rest of mankind.”
After a wet chuckle, I blow my nose. The thought of Colin leaving isn’t at all comforting. I rub my stomach as I feel nauseous at the thought. Maybe it’s the bottles of champagne.
Chapter twenty
Breakfast of Champions
Colin
Iawake feeling distinctly unrefreshed and stumble into the shower to shock my system awake. My eyes close as I tilt my face into the hot spray of water. I rake my hair off my forehead and am reminded of the feel of Brianna’s fingers in my hair and her lips on mine.
That kiss.
It was the single best kiss of my life. Lowering my forehead to the cold tiles, I let my hand drift lower to ease my aching cock. Already half hard, I think back to the feel of her curves in my hands and start stroking with purpose. Hand flat on the wall before me, I hunch over as I fantasize about what I would have done if Anna hadn’t interrupted.
I would have continued to explore her swollen lips and dancing tongue. My hands would have traced those luscious curves. Who knows, I could have pulled her into my lap on that lounger. Rocked her hips against my aching length. Skirted my hand up her skirt. Her panties would have been soaked as I teased her clit, stroking her to climax. Swallowing her cries of pleasure.
Within minutes, I grit my teeth and groan Brianna’s name as I orgasm. Thick spurts rope across my hand and down the drain. The quick release does nothing for the building desire I feel for Brianna.
Freshly shaven and changed, I emerge from my room to find the girls draped across the couches, still fast asleep. My lips tug into a smile at the sight.
They traded party dresses for shorts and t-shirts. Anna hugs a pillow to her chest, knees tucked under her as her head rests next to Brianna’s. Nic haphazardly splays across the cushions, one leg hooked over the sofa arm and her back against Brianna’s other side.
In sleep, Brianna’s features soften. Her long lashes kiss her cheeks, chest slowly rising and falling in peaceful sleep. Her long hair is in a messy bun, escaped tendrils artfully frame her face. My fingers itch to smooth those tendrils. Instead, I pull the blanket off the ottoman by Brianna’s feet and gently cover the three women. Brianna stirs slightly, taking a deep breath and her lips spread into a content smile, still fast asleep.
I smile down at her and will my heart to calm as I head to the kitchen. We haven’t found ourselves alone since that moment on the patio. It is frustrating, but I am so afraid to hear Brianna say it was a mistake. The delayed return to reality is most welcome.
Busying myself, I pull out ingredients and get to work on a hangover breakfast of champions. The smells of food cooking must rouse them, because the girls stumble into the dining room just as I place a plate overflowing with waffles between a pile of bacon and a bottle of aspirin. All three groan as they sit down and hurry to grab food.
Anna closes her eyes and moans around a piece of crispy bacon. “Best hangover breakfast ever!”
Nic looks up at me as I set a pitcher of Bloody Mary on the table, eyes wide and mouth stuffed with waffle. “I think I love you.”
Laughing at their antics, I look over at Brianna. She is blushing a little as she spreads butter on her waffles, a slight smile on her lips.
“Enjoy your breakfast, ladies, but save room for my Ma’s Guinness Pie. I’m going to run to the market for some ingredients. Need anything while I’m out?”
“Popcorn,” yells Anna.
“Chocolate!” adds Nic.
Brianna looks up and smiles at me. My chest tightens at her open expression.
“Cola. Birthday movie marathon starts soon. It’s tradition.” Her eyes twinkle as she holds my gaze. “Everyone has to pick one, so better start thinking about yours.”
