Where We Belong (A Touch of Fate #1)(32)

Me: Umm... yeah. We're just friends, but I'll still tell him we're going. He already knows about you. He'll probably be upset that he won't get to meet you himself.

Me: What about Brit? Will she be okay with us having dinner?

Tyson: You told him about me?

I frown at my phone momentarily—he didn't answer my question about Brit.

What is going on in that boy’s head?

Me: Yes. He's seen pictures of you and knows about our history. He's going to be really excited to meet you.

When we moved into the new house, Max and I were looking through some old albums, and of course they were filled with pictures of Tyson and me. Max asked so many questions…he wanted to know who Tyson was, how I knew him, and basically everything about him. Even though it reminded me just how much I missed Tyson, I enjoyed telling Max about him and reliving those memories.

Tyson: You can bring him to dinner with us if you want. I can meet him there.

Me: He's going to the Cards-Cubs game in Chicago this weekend. But soon. Let's talk more over dinner?

Tyson: Ok. Dinner. Send me your address and I'll pick you up.

Me: I can meet you somewhere. I don't expect you to drive all the way here.

Tyson: On my days off I've been staying in one of Mom and Dad’s empty rental houses. It's closer to home.

Me: Ok. 22 Larson. Pick me up at 5?

Tyson: See you then.

Dropping my phone in my lap, I lean back against the couch and close my eyes. What the hell is happening? My phone lets out one last chirp, startling me.

Tyson: Brit and I aren't together.

“Yes!” I whisper, pumping my fist in the air.

So I guess I was wrong…Tyson didn't act weird earlier because of Brit. But that still doesn't explain anything. Unless maybe he could tell that I was still attracted to him and he doesn't feel the same way. Oh God, please tell me I didn't creep him out. I close my eyes, trying to remember every detail from lunch today. I don't remember doing or saying anything that would make him uncomfortable.

Me: What happened?

Tyson: We can discuss over dinner. Good night.





LOCKING THE SCREEN, I toss my phone aside and flop back on the bed. Did she really think I was still with Brit?

What the f*ck just happened? Her text was completely unexpected. I’m the one who acted like a complete douche, and yet she reached out to me? I tried to sound unaffected, not because I wanted to upset her but if we are only ever going to be friends, then I have to maintain some sort of distance in order to keep my heart intact. That strong determination quickly went to shit when she asked me to dinner. I was definitely not expecting that.

My first thought was why would she ask me to dinner after the way I walked away from her today. For a brief moment, I found myself wondering if Harley was the type of girl that would go out with me and not tell her boyfriend. I shook that thought off quickly, angry with myself for even thinking it. Of course she wouldn't, and she didn't disappoint. Not only did she say she would tell Max, but said she had already told him all about me.

Fuck. Keeping any form of distance is going to be impossible. I need to burn off some energy before I go insane.

I take off my shirt, slip on basketball shorts and my running shoes, and push my ear buds in my ears. It takes me thirty minutes to run to my gym, where I spend another two hours working off all of the frustrations from today.

Seeing Harley this afternoon was fantastic, but realizing that we could only ever be friends was not. I groan at the memory, hating myself for the way I walked away from her. By the end of my workout, I have myself convinced that I can, in fact, just be friends with Harley. I want that. Very much.

It's going to take time to not look at her as more than a friend though, considering I haven't been able to stop thinking about her sexy, toned legs, killer curves, and picture-perfect rack since I first laid eyes on her again. It probably doesn't help that every time I close my eyes, I picture said legs gripping my hips tightly as I plunge deep into her warm body.

My workout doesn't exactly alleviate my frustrations so I make one last attempt by sprinting home at a fast clip, pushing my body to its limit. I stagger into my condo, my legs loose and unsteady as I strip down, leaving a trail of clothes on my way to the bathroom. Reaching around the curtain, I turn the shower on and let it run briefly to warm the water. Stepping in, I allow the scalding hot water and steam to engulf me, and I relish the way it relaxes my muscles after a hard workout. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back and Harley's beautiful face instantly consumes my thoughts.

Today she was wearing hot-pink scrub pants that sat low on her hips and hugged her tight ass perfectly. Her scrub top had a piece of material that wrapped around her waist and tied in the back, accentuating her kick-ass curves. She had her long chestnut waves wrapped in a loose bun at the base of her neck. A low growl rumbles from my throat and I feel my cock begin to stir.

Reaching down, I fist myself tightly, hating that I'm about to bring myself pleasure by thinking about the one person I can't have. I would have given anything today to pull the band from her hair and watch it cascade down her back. I pump harder at the thought of running my fingers through her thick mane and giving her hair a firm tug, not hard but enough that she knows who's in control.

My hips rock quickly as I allow the fantasy to run wild behind my eyelids. Pushing her against the wall, I dip my hand down the front of her scrub pants. Sliding her panties to the side, I breach her wet folds and plunge my fingers deep inside her soft, warm body. Throwing her head back, she arches into my touch, offering me everything she has. My name leaves her lips in a light whisper and…that's all it takes. My body convulses and my dick continues to twitch in my hand as I ride out the final waves of my orgasm.