“I can see you’re going to be a test of my willpower.”
“Why do you say that?” I ask, but instead of answering, he thrusts his tongue into my mouth before biting and licking my lips while his hand on my ass travels around to cup my breast. Out of pure instinct, I press closer and rub myself against him. I have never been this turned on, and I’m pretty sure I might cry when he slows the kiss and pulls back.
“Your hand.”
“Sorry.” I wince when I find that my hand has moved up to his hair and is gripping it tight enough to cause me pain.
“I might have to tie your wrist to the bed for your own good,” he says, and a shiver of excitement travels down my spine while a smile that can only be described as devilish curves his lips. “But not tonight.” He leans up to kiss me swiftly, then carefully helps me off his lap. As he rewinds the movie and I settle into his side, I try my best not to pout, but I know I don’t succeed when he glances at me and laughs.
“It’s not funny.”
“Sunshine, trust me when I say this hurts me more than it hurts you.” He adjusts the bulge in his pants, making me feel somewhat better. “That said, I’m not going to risk you opening your wound back up.”
Knowing he’s right, I sigh, ignoring the feel of him shaking in silent laughter while hiding my own smile by tucking my face against his chest.
Chapter 16
CYBIL
Standing in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand and still half-asleep, even after my shower, I watch in a daze as a shirtless Tanner does burpees on the back patio. As his muscles bunch and move under his tan skin, all I can think is it really should be illegal for a man as hot as him to work out half-naked, especially when he has a sexually frustrated woman staying in his house.
Hearing my cell phone that’s plugged in on the counter ring, I force my eyes off the man who’s captured my attention and pick it up, frowning when I see that Galvin is calling me. Part of me wants to let the call go to voice mail, but curiosity has me sliding my thumb across the screen and putting it on speaker, since I can’t hold my phone and coffee at the same time.
“Yes?”
“Cybil,” he says, sounding unsure, like he’s forgotten the sound of my voice.
“Yes?” I repeat as my eyes drift out the window to Tanner, who’s now hanging upside down from a bar, doing sit-ups.
“Umm . . . how are you?”
“I’m fantastic.” I wait for him to say more, because honestly I have no desire to ask him how he is, or any other niceties. Not after finding out that he lied to me.
“Jade said you’re in Montana and that you met someone there.”
“I am, and I did,” I agree, dropping my eyes to my feet as annoyance with my best friend makes my hand tighten around my coffee cup.
“Fuck, Cybil, I know you’re pissed about everything that happened between you and me, but do you really think that’s smart?”
“The only thing me being here has to do with you is that I booked this trip because you wanted us to go on a couples retreat to work on our relationship. When, in reality, there was nothing I could do to make you happy, because I don’t have a penis. Besides that, you do not factor into me staying in Montana with Tanner.”
“I didn’t think you’d actually book that trip,” he groans. “You’ve always hated anything to do with the outdoors, and when I brought it up, you laughed.”
“I thought you were joking, and you’re wrong. I actually love the outdoors.” Okay, love might be the wrong word, but still. “I’ve had the best time.”
“Cybil, we’re all worried about you. You’re staying with a man you don’t even know, and—”
“Ha!” I snort, cutting him off. “That’s really funny, coming from you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I was with you for years, Galvin. You were one of my best friends, and I obviously had no idea who you were.”
“That’s not true. You knew me. You still know me.”
“You didn’t tell me that you were actually in love with someone else, or that you might also like men. I’m pretty sure I didn’t know you at all.”
“Things with Chris were complicated, and I was scared that—”
“You lied. You dragged me into your lie without giving me a choice in the matter. I mean, how long would you have let it go on for? How many times did you sleep with Chris when you went to visit him? Did you even care how I would feel?”
“I know I messed up.”
“You did.” My stomach churns at the fact that he didn’t deny sleeping with Chris.
“Jade said you weren’t mad at me.” Concern fills his tone.
“No, what I said is that I don’t hate you. And I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still really fricking pissed off at you.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I still love you; that hasn’t changed. I just . . . I just couldn’t marry you.”
“Well, thank you for doing one thing right.” I let out a deep breath. “If that’s all, I need to go,” I say, annoyed with him for calling me about Tanner and mad at myself for feeling bad about being angry with him.
“Cybil—”
“Bye, Galvin.” I hang up before he can say more; then my coffee cup is taken from my grasp and warm arms wrap around me, pulling me into a sweaty chest.
“Your ex?” Tanner asks as my arms go around his waist, and I rest my cheek on his chest.
“Yes.” I nod, closing my eyes. “He talked to Jade and wanted to call and warn me against staying with a man I don’t know,” I say, more annoyed than I was yesterday at hearing the same thing from Maisie and Jade. I just wish they would trust me, trust that I can make decisions for myself.
“That was nice of him.”
“Super nice,” I agree sarcastically while leaning back to meet his gaze, catching his grin before his expression turns speculative.
“Are you okay?”
I don’t know if it’s the softness of his tone or his fingers massaging the base of my neck, but I realize the tension I was feeling just seconds ago is gone. Completely. “Yeah.”
“Good.” He lifts my hand between us so he can inspect my wound.
“It’s feeling a lot better today,” I assure him as he kisses near the stitches and rests my hand against his chest.
“I need to shower and make a few phone calls, but after I’m done, how about we head into town for breakfast?”
“That sounds good.”
“I shouldn’t be more than an hour.” He leans in to give me a swift kiss; then, when he leans back, his eyes roam my face. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Positive.”