When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(40)

“You two need to talk, I think.”

Violet smiles at me, taking the spot I’ve abandoned.

I would have been more than happy to lay on that couch for the rest of my life, but it seems Kennedy and I aren’t the only ones who need to mend some things.

Violet holds Kennedy as she cries into her chest. A cry I have a feeling is a long time in the making. Violet shushes her, reminding her, she’s going to be okay.

No more words are spoken between the two of them, and I suppose that’s the point. Sometimes words don’t need to be uttered when silence is enough.

I’m frozen for minutes, hours, seconds, I’m not exactly sure, as the girl I love, the girl I’ve always loved, fights off the demons she’s so afraid will push us all away.

“It’s a crazy thing to love someone that much, isn’t it?” I jump from Dan’s unexpected intrusion in my silence. “Their friendship for one another holds no bounds, but still, they find enough room in their hearts to love a couple of assholes like us.”

“You are so far from being an asshole.” My eyes keep inventory of the two of them on the couch. Violet kisses the end of her nose and Kennedy laughs. That sound will never grow old.

“Are you two done staring at us?” Violet deadpans, releasing her hold on Kennedy and rolling off the couch. She pounces over to Dan and wraps her arms around him. She pats me on the stomach, nodding her head to the couch. “Go be with her. Disappear for a little while. Help her forget.”

Kennedy takes my extended hand, and I lead her upstairs, under the watchful eye of Violet and Dan. Neither of us says anything. We both know we need a small blip in time to remind us the heartache and tears and pain weren’t for nothing. With a kick, the bedroom door slams behind us. I twirl her around to face me, and my heart softens under her watchful eyes.

“Will you dance with me?” she asks. Her cheeks pink, and I smile, stepping to my stereo and pushing play on my iPod.

I rest my hands low on her hips. Hers find comfort on my arms. We move to the music floating through the room. Her head falls to my chest. To have her in my arms like this again exceeds every idea I’ve had in my mind. Her soft skin dips under the weight of my touch as she melts into me, reveling in our movement together. My lips rest on the crown of her head. We sway to two more songs until she pulls away from me and sits on the edge of the bed.

“It’s my last night here. We leave in the morning, so do you think we could call a truce, maybe wave our white flags at the same time?” Her eyes search mine and when she smiles, it doesn’t quite meet hers.

“Like I said, the second you dropped to your knees I waved my white flag.” She blushes at my confession. I run the back of my finger over the pink hue. “God, I love that.” She leans into my touch. “You don’t need to be embarrassed.”

Kennedy’s hands run over my abs and grip the bottom of my shirt, pulling me down with her until her head hits the sheet. I close the distance, landing on top of her. Running my hand over her hair, my lips find hers.

Blunt and without fear, Kennedy plasters her lips against mine. “I like being able to kiss you whenever I want,” she says against my mouth.

The thickness in the air tells me where we’re headed. At first, reluctance grips me. With what unraveled in my living room, I’m not sure being intimate is the best thing for Kennedy.

“Don’t do that,” she whispers. “Don’t hold back out of fear of hurting me. Some days, I don’t think I’ve been pushed enough.”

“Okay.” I brush the hair out of her face.

“I promise I’ll always be honest if it becomes too much.” She lifts her hips, grazing my dick through my sweatpants. He jumps with happy approval.

The comfort she has with me, always has felt with me, makes me grin. I bring my lips back to hers. The kiss starts slow, our skin searing into each other. My hand dips under the bottom of her shirt, pulling it up to expose her flawless skin. My lips trail down her chest to the thin skin around her belly button. She whimpers, egging me on further. I kiss and lick along her waistband, staring up at her. Her eyes are sleepy, but when I unhook the button of her jeans, they spring open.

“Please …” she begs, lifting her ass to assist me in sliding them down her leg.

Maybe I am what she needs. When the clouds clear and smoke fades, sometimes what you need is someone to lay next to you and show you, you’re still you.

“I’ve got you,” I say as I toss her pants over my shoulder. They hit the floor with a quiet rustle.

The small bow on her light pink, lace panties tempts me and I graze my finger over the knot. Spreading her thighs with my knees, I kneel on the bed. She whimpers under my touch.

“I’ve missed us.” Kennedy lunges up and rips my shirt over my head in one fell swoop. She admires my bare chest and stomach.

“I’m right here.” I brush my lips along her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. So, don’t think about our past. Don’t think about tomorrow, Kennedy. Just think about me, right in front of you, right now.”

A tear trails down her cheek, and she nods. I pull the soft t-shirt over her head, and she reaches back to unclasp her bra. The straps slip down her arms and onto the bed. I grow harder. If I don’t have her wrapped around me in a few minutes, I’ll lose my mind.

My head dips low until the familiar scent of her skin alerts my senses. I roll my tongue over her left nipple, then her right, giving them just enough attention to know she’s getting an intense ache in her lower belly. My fingers rub over the pink cotton fabric, and the hunger I experience for her is too intense. I move my hand up and push against her chest. She melts into the mattress. Her hair fans out around her. I grip the seam of her panties in both hands and tear the fabric.