Page 31 of To Go
“Seriously?” I’m skeptical of his motives considering the smirk he’s sporting.
“Well, you are the one who made me run out in the snow. My toes are cold now.” He puts on the most adorable pout I’ve ever seen on a grown man, and a few giggles sneak their way out as I concede.
“Alright, stud. Wouldn’t want your poor little toesy-woesies to fall off,” I mock as he swings his feet up into my lap. He reclines, folding his hands behind his head as I rub my own together to warm them before taking one of his feet and pushing a thumb up through his arch. A groan rumbles through his chest, and I shift in my seat.
I will not get turned on by this. I will not get turned on by this.
Little does he know I am an expert foot massager. Since my mom’s treatments made her ankles swell, I’ve learned the tricks of the trade. Not to brag but James is going to be putty in my hands before he knows it. I get into all the muscles I can, remembering how much Mom liked it when I went around the bones of her ankles, and I know he likes it just as much when I see little goosebumps pop up on his calves.
When I switch to his other foot after a while, he opens his eyes again.
“As much as I’m loving this, I think it’s your turn, sunshine.”
“Sure thing, stud. Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” he answers without hesitation.
“Alright. I’m an only child, so I need to live vicariously through you. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done as a big brother?”
“Dated her best friend, and when she dumped me, it was like she dumped Nessa, too. Never spoke to Nessa again.” I sit in shocked silence, weighing my next words carefully.
“I meant like, a prank? But we can do the deep dark things, too, I guess,” I laugh nervously.
“Ah, then putting mayo in her hair conditioner.” I cackle at his answer.
“Okay, that’s pretty good.”
“My turn, truth or dare,” he asks, pushing his feet further into my hands, clearly not done with his foot massage.
“Truth.”
“What’s your biggest fear?” He closes his eyes, leaning his head back against the couch.
“Probably not doing enough or seeing enough before I die.” His head pops up, giving me a perplexed look. “Sorry, was I supposed to say snakes or something?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Then, snakes. They’re gross little buggers.” He barks out a singular laugh. “Your turn, stud. Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
I already know what I want to say, but I pretend to hem and haw for a moment. He sits up, crossing his own legs and leans towards me with a quirked brow and a playful grin.
“I dare you to kiss me.” He freezes for a minute, his eyes wide, searching mine. He tracks the movement as I bite my lip, contemplating for a moment.
“Stella…”
“Please.” The word is no more than a breath, a wish. I know I’m pushing it, I know it’s a bad idea, but I also know how badly I need to taste him again. I watch him with longing, holding my breath as I wait for him to decide, the seconds moving like hours. Something behind his eyes shifts as he studies me, tension visible in his posture.
I’ve ruined it. We were having such a nice time and I’ve wrecked it all.I start my bruised retreat back to my own side of the couch when he makes his decision.
“Fuck it,” he says, surging forward. He wraps his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me toward him, crashing his lips into mine. I surrender completely, allowing him to part my lips, gasping into his mouth as his tongue strokes mine. His other arm bands around my back, holding me close as he bends over me, causing me to lay back.
The weight of his body on mine is delectable. Need surfaces viciously as I drape a leg over him, needing him closer, tighter, fiercer. Just more. My breath catches as he pulls away from my mouth to kiss my neck, the same place he left a hickey when we first met. Every single nerve ending is on fire, and when his fingers delve deep into my hair and maneuver me for better access, I let out a throaty moan.
“Fuck,” he groans into my skin, sending shivers skittering down my body.
I could die a happy woman right now.
