Her brow puckers in a frown and I can tell she’s overthinking things.

“Hey, hey, none of that,” I say, running my index finger over the wrinkle between her brows. “Stop all those negative thoughts right now.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?” she asks, her lips pressed together.

“Do you honestly think I don’t know you after all this time? I’m well aware how that mind of yours works.”

“Okay, oh wise one. What am I thinking right now?” Her lips move into an adorable smirk I want to kiss away.

Cupping her face with my hands, I close my eyes and pretend to focus, but I’m fighting every urge my body has to throw her down on the table and show her how crazy about her I am. “You’re thinking you want to meet my younger brother.”

“Owen’s here?”

My eyes open at the excitement in her tone. “He is and I want you to meet him, but not if you’re too excited about it.”

She giggles. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Unless he’s a hot tattoo artist, you’re all set.”

“Sean’s here too.”

“Well then you might be screwed,” she taunts.

“What were you saying?” Burying my face in her neck, I blow a raspberry on her skin and dig my fingers into her sides.

“I don’t want anyone, but you.” She shrieks, wiggling in my grasp.

My fingers cease tickling as I take in her words. Our eyes lock. Instantly, we’re both serious. “You’re the only woman I want. I haven’t been with anyone since we slept together.”

Her eyes grow wide as if my words shock her. “I haven’t either.”

I’m pleasantly surprised by the three words I never expected to hear. For as long as I’ve known Elle, she’s never gone for long without sex. “Why haven’t you?” I ask, bluntly.

“Our time together meant too much to me. I didn’t want to be with anyone else after. Why haven’t you?” she questions, turning my words back at me.

I caress her cheek with the back of my fingers. “Do you really need to ask? Can’t you tell I’m absolutely crazy about you?”

She chews on her bottom lip. “I want to believe you are, but it’s not easy for me to trust men.”

“I’m not any man, Elle. I’m only me. You’ve known me long enough to see what kind of person I am.” My hand raises to tuck the long strands of hair falling in her eyes behind her ear. “Now what do you say we go have some fun?”

“Let’s do it.”

We leave the break room, our hands clasped together and matching smiles on our faces. Owen notices us as we approach and smirks in my direction.

“Elle, this is my youngest brother, Owen. He’s a sophomore at B.U.”

She holds her hand out and he tugs her forward, pulling her into his arms. “I’m a hugger,” he says with a wink aimed in my direction over her shoulder. Shaking my head, I watch, making sure she’s not bothered by his antics.

“I’m a ball buster,” she says, raising her knee toward his groin.

He drops his arms as if he’s been burned. Holding his hands up he steps back. “I like my balls the way they are.”

She smirks. “I was only kidding. But seriously, you should be careful. Not every girl is going to want you to get handsy with them.”

He directs a look loaded with skepticism at her then holds his arms straight out at his sides. “Are you sure? I’ve yet to meet one who doesn’t want my hands on them - or to get their hands on me.”

She snorts, before rolling her eyes and I laugh. “Are you sure you guys are related?”

I nod. “Sometimes it’s even hard for me to believe, but it’s true.”

“Elle,” Sean calls her name as he approaches with a fresh beer in hand.

“Sean,” she smiles. I find myself bothered by the close hug they share. Jealousy is an emotion I don’t have a lot of experience with. I dealt with some when Janny initially began dating Kyle, but it didn’t take me long to work through it. With Elle, I don’t see it ever going away. She’s the kind of girl that attracts guys like flies to honey and this will never change.

“What are you two up to?” Sean asks, eyes sweeping from Elle to me, before taking a pull from his bottle.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I draw her closer to my side. “I think we need to dance soon and then we’ll figure out the rest.”

“I can’t dance with you,” Elle says shaking her head.

“Why not?” I scowl.

“I don’t dance with people who are better than I am.”

“Whoa, wait a minute. Are you complimenting me? I never thought I’d hear you admit I was good at something.”

Her eyes lower shamefully, before she glances up at me. “I’m sorry I’ve been so horrible. I didn’t know how to deal with my feelings for you. I realize this isn’t much of an excuse, but it’s the truth.”

Leaning down, I kiss the top of her head. “It doesn’t matter, Elle. We’re both where we want to be now and that’s all that matters.”

* * *

“Thanks for bringing me home,” she says as we drive through the mostly empty Boston streets.

“You don’t have to thank me. I planned on taking you home, anyway. My eyes flick in her direction, taking in her delicate profile before returning to the road in front of us. “When can I see you again?”

“I...oh.” She brushes her hair back from her face.

“What?”

“I guess I assumed we’d be spending the night together. At least, I was hoping we were.”

“I want to more than anything, but no sex and no sleepovers for the time being.”

“No fun, you mean,” she says with a pout.

“Come on, it won’t be that bad. At least we get to spend time together. I’ll show you why it’s awesome to be my girl.”

“Am I?”

“My girl?” I question, my eyes snapping in her direction.

She nods. “Uh huh.”

“You better be. All these months of being without one another has taught me not to waste any more time.” Reaching over, I catch her hand, holding it in mine. “We’re together or we’re not. No more of this limbo bullshit.” I kiss the back of her hand, before continuing. “If this isn’t what you want, now’s the time to tell me. Otherwise, you’re in, and I’m not letting you change your mind.”

“I’m not changing my mind. I’ve wanted this for far too long. And as much as it scares me to trust you, I do.”

Once we reach her apartment, we walk to her door with our hands clasped. Openly holding hands is somewhat surreal. Any time we’ve done this in the past it’s always been for a fleeting moment. There’s never been a time where we weren’t trying to fight our attraction. To be with her, touching her freely, feels amazing.

She leans back against the door to her apartment when we stop in front of it. Her teeth press into her bottom lip coyly as her eyes sparkle up at me. She’s trying to tempt me...and she fucking does, but I’m not going to let anything ruin this opportunity for us. No matter how much need is churning through me, I’m not stepping inside her apartment, tonight.

“I’ve got your number,” I say, closing the distance between us. My hands cup either side of her neck. Her pulse flutters wildly against my palm. “You’re a little tease, aren’t you?” My head lowers when I brush the tip of my nose against hers. Her warm breath washes over my lips, tempting me further.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she replies, playfully.

I hover close to her lips. “Are you sure you don’t?”

“Hmm, how about we stop talking and you kiss me instead?”

“Is that what you want, Elle? Do you want me to press you back into this door and take your lips?” I question as I lean closer, caging her in. “Does this remind you of the last time we were standing in this same spot?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

“Do you remember how I made you come?” I ask, drawn in by the desire I see reflected in her chocolate eyes.

“I do.” Her fingers grip my shirt over my chest, tugging on the faded cotton.

“Your pussy tasted so sweet. I bet it would be just as delicious right now. Are you wet for me, Elle?”

“Why don’t you find out,” she taunts.

Slipping a hand between us, cupping her, I feel the damp heat of her through her sundress. It would be so easy to slip my fingers up the inside of her thigh and work them under the edge of her panties, but I won’t. “I want you more than you know and I’ll be tasting you soon, but it’s not going to happen tonight. Now, I’m going to kiss you goodbye and you’re going to go inside without argument.”

“Is that what I’m going to do?” She asks, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

My hand leaves her pussy to slide around her hip and down to grip the bottom of her ass. Squeezing one cheek in my palm, I press her closer to me. My other hand rises to hold her face. “Don’t push me, Elle. You won’t win and we both know you don’t like to lose.”

“From what I see, either way, no one’s winning tonight.” She rolls her eyes.

“Such a fresh little mouth.” My fingers move inward to pluck her lower lip. “Next time I see you we can work on improving your attitude.”

“How are you planning to do that?” she questions, skeptically.

“You don’t think I’m up for the challenge?”

“I’ve been like this for twenty-four years now. I’m not sure anything can be done about it.” She flips her hair. “Besides, I think my attitude is perfect the way it is.”

I grin. “I’m sure you do. And I’ll let you in on a little secret.” Leaning down, my lips brush the bottom of her ear. “I wouldn’t change a damn thing about you, Elle. Now give me a kiss so I can go home and try to get this hard on to go away. I have a feeling I won’t be getting much sleep tonight.”

“I have a great cure for your problem. It involves me on my knees and your dick in my mouth.”

“Goddamn, Elle. Your dirty mouth is such a fucking turn on.” Gripping my cock, I press down, trying to get my rock-hard erection to subside. Bending down, I brush a kiss on her cheek and take a step backward, placing some distance between us. “Unlock your door and get inside. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Where are we going?” she questions, tipping her head.

“Did you forget about Lily’s christening?”

“Oh shit.” She covers her mouth. “I didn’t really forget; it momentarily slipped my mind.”

“I have to work until two so I won’t make it to the church for the actual christening, but I’ll see you back at Kyle and Janny’s.” I run a hand over the short hair along my jawline.

“I’m surprised you’d want anyone to know about us,” she says, her eyes lowering.

“Elle, look at me,” I coax. She glances up and I continue. “I want everyone to know about us - from the people we know - to total strangers on the street.”

A smile breaks out, lighting her face. “Okay, I’ll see you there.”