The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister(77)

“I don’t want to leave you,” he muttered against my mouth as he slowly fucked me.

I relished every powerful thrust, unsure if this would be the last time we’d have sex for two weeks.

Our bodies rocked together in sync as Holden looked deeply into my eyes and never once moved his gaze away from me. That had to be the sexiest thing he’d ever done—so simple yet so intense.

Jesus. It terrified me how hard I was falling for this man.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered as he moved in and out. “I’m gonna miss you…” Thrust… “So…” Thrust… “Fucking…” Thrust… “Much.” Thrust.

That undid my resolve. “Come inside me, Holden,” I panted.

His eyes rolled back as he groaned, and I felt the heat from him seep into me as he covered my neck and chest with kisses.

We’d had sex in many ways over the past several days, but this time was special. It felt different, and I didn’t dare mention that to him. Because then I’d have to admit the reason: it felt like he was making love to me, more than just having sex. I didn’t want to scare him away.

After Holden got up to get a towel, he returned to bed, wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me close. We never did have sex again that night. And despite the worries still swirling around in my head, I managed to fall asleep peacefully in his arms.

***

The following morning, I was no longer able to hide my sadness. Holden was set to take a car to the airport about an hour after I left for work. We had to say goodbye now since I was already late.

We stared at each other blankly as we chugged down our coffee.

He shook his head. “I have no desire to leave you. Please tell me we’re going to talk every night and you’re not going to worry about anything when it comes to me. I give you my word that I won’t do anything stupid.” He sighed. “Yes, I was who I was back then. But right now? I’m not him, Lala. I don’t want you stressing while I’m gone.”

My stomach hurt even more knowing he’d felt he had to give me that assurance. That was my fault because of how insecure I’d acted recently. “I trust you, Holden. As much as I sometimes get jealous, please know that it has nothing to do with a lack of trust.”

He took my hands in his. “I want you to call me anytime you feel like you need me—doesn’t matter if you think I’m in the middle of something.” Holden opened his backpack and took out a sheet of paper. “Also, I’ve printed out a detailed itinerary of every place we’ll be and when, along with the contact info in case you can’t reach me on my cell for some reason.” He handed it to me.

This was adorable. I suspected he’d never printed out an itinerary for anyone else in his entire life.

“The guys all know you’re leaving this morning, right?”

He nodded. “They’ve hired a maintenance service to cover for me.” He opened his arms. “Come here. I need to hold you one last time before I leave.”

After leaning my head against his chest for several minutes, I looked up at him.

Holden placed one last firm kiss on my lips. “I already miss you so damn much, and I haven’t even left yet.”

“I feel exactly the same.” I looked over at the clock. “Shit, I have to go.”

“Okay,” he murmured.

I gave my gorgeous maybe-boyfriend one final-final kiss on the lips, took one last look at his beautiful face, and walked out of my apartment, feeling empty and worried for the future, despite all of Holden’s assurances.





CHAPTER 21


Holden



“What the fuck, Catalano?” Dylan, our bass player, said. “You got an STD or something?”

I looked up from breaking down my drum set. “What the hell are you talking about?”

He motioned to the woman who’d just stopped over to tell me how much she’d enjoyed the show…and asked if she could buy me a drink.

“Oh, that. Not interested.”

“Really?” Monroe chimed in. “She looks right up your alley. Long hair, big tits, nice ass. Not to mention those plump lips look like they would make some really nice dick pillows for your head.”

I chuckled but shook my other head. “I only have one type these days, boys—a certain brainiac blonde who’s back home waiting for my return.”

Dylan raised a brow before glancing around to the other guys. “I got fifty he doesn’t make two weeks.”

“A hundred says he doesn’t make it out of Oregon without at least a blowjob,” Kevin added, putting away his guitar.

Monroe pulled a wad of cash from his front pocket and twirled the microphone in his hand. He motioned to two women I hadn’t noticed, who were gazing my way and smiling. One sucked on the straw in her drink suggestively. “Oregon? I’m pretty sure those are identical twins. They were sitting in the front row. The one in red has a tongue ring. I got two hundred he doesn’t make the night.”

I shook my head as I dismantled the tension rod from the bass drum. “I’ll take every single one of your bets, you fools. Because the only thing I’m looking forward to taking to bed with me tonight, or any other night during this trip, is my iPad, so I can FaceTime with my girl.”