“Right,” she smarted.
“Stop and listen to me. Everything is absolutely going to change between us. But that’s just the details. Me and you. We don’t change. Ever. When we walk through this door, we aren’t going back to the fucked-up lie of friendship we’ve been living. We start the real us. We go to bed naked and wake up kissing. But that is the only shit that changes.” I lifted her hand to my chest, settling it over my heart. “This doesn’t change. It’s you and me to the core. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. If it happens to you, it happens to me, remember? And this is definitely happening to us. Please don’t fight it.”
Her big, brown eyes lifted to mine. “This is weird.”
I smiled. “Get used to it. It’s going to get a whole lot weirder when we get in the shower.”
Her cheeks blushed, but not in a shy way. It was heated, and it said that she didn’t think the shower would be all that weird, either. She was struggling, but the way she still sparked for me spoke wonders.
Brushing my nose against hers, I teased her lips. “Nothing comes between us. No matter where this goes. Or how it goes. Or how many times I make you come.” I paused to smirk. “We don’t change, Rocky.”
“Okay.”
“Say it.”
“We don’t change.” She didn’t sound convinced, but I heard her promise.
And, if Liv knew me at all, she felt mine banging in my chest.
We would never change.
I wouldn’t accept it any other way.
She was the one woman I’d never be able to survive losing.
I found that out the hard way when I was thirteen years old.
I sure as hell wouldn’t allow it to happen again.
Releasing her, I ushered her through our front door for what felt like the first time.
A beginning.
An end.
A brand-new start.
The way it should have been all along.
The door had barely clicked when I pushed her up against the wall and crushed my mouth over hers. Her eyes were wide with surprise, but her hands wrapped around my neck and slid into my hair.
Her moans reverberated in my mouth, and her agile tongue dueled with mine—my cock responding to every twist.
“Welcome home,” I mumbled. Taking both of her hands, I tugged them around my hips and then placed them on my ass. “Where ass-grabbing is now a requirement.”
A sexy growl rumbled from her throat; a chuckle escaped from my own. I continued our kiss as she explored the curves of my glutes. Liv really was an ass girl, and it was all I could do to keep from laughing. Fortunately, the twitch of my cock staved the humor away.
“Let’s take a shower,” I suggested.
Her mouth froze, and her hands suddenly disappeared.
Leaning away to catch her gaze, I prompted, “Liv?”
She looked anywhere but at me. “I…uh…need some time.”
I was fully aware of what she meant, but I pushed anyway. “Okay, well, just meet me in my bathroom in a few.”
“That’s not what I mean.” She went to work picking invisible fuzz off her dress. “I think…we need to take a step back. A lot has happened tonight. I can’t do this with you. I know what I said earlier…but…we’ve established my body’s stance on this whole thing, but my mind is reeling. I think I need some space. I’m sorry. I hear what you’re saying—I swear I do. I’m just…not ready.”
“Fine, I’ll give you some time.”
Her gaze shot to mine. “Really?”
“Yeah, really. You’re right. A lot did happen tonight. And, shit, Liv. It was incredible.” I fisted my hands in the fabric at her hips. “But, tomorrow night, we’re going on a date.”
Her eyes flashed with excitement before dimming with dread. “I’m not thinking that’s a good idea.”
I pecked her unresponsive lips. “Then stop thinking. If you’re not ready for alone-and-naked yet, you have to at least give me clothed-and-public. Besides, I have somewhere special I want to take you.”
Again with the flash of excitement. “Quarry—”
“Go. Before I’m forced to change my mind about the shower.” I nipped at her bottom lip.
The war within showed on her face. She wanted to be in that shower with me. She just wouldn’t allow herself to have it.
“Go.” I gently pushed her shoulder to get her feet moving.
I stood in the doorway, watching her shuffle down the hall. Just before she disappeared into her bedroom, she peeked over her shoulder.
“Later, Q.”
The corner of my mouth hiked. She needed normal. I could give her that.
For now.
“Later, Rocky.”
Twenty minutes later, I was standing in our kitchen with the sink running.