Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding #1)(59)

"Thanks. I think I dress up well too," she said biting her lip and staring at him flirtatiously.

"Yeah, well, I think both clothing options work for you," he said taking a step closer to her.

"Well thank you very much. I have to say…" She eyed him up and down. "Both options work for you too." She hiccupped and leaned forward against him as she giggled. "Though, these muscles are much better in your t-shirt."

He smiled his perfect smile, and reached out to support her. "I'm glad you like them."

"I didn't say I liked them," she said blushing.

"Well fine. I'm glad they look better in my t-shirt," he corrected taking another step towards her and circling her waist. She let him. It was a nice feeling. He wasn't exactly holding her, but having his big strong arms this close was nice indeed. "So you really don't remember me then?"

"Nope!"

"Well, you know I wasn't being completely honest with you," Ramsey said sliding her back another step and leaning her back against the balustrade.

"It doesn't matter," she slurred staring at his lips. By now, she wasn't all too sure what he was talking about. She couldn't remember if it was important.

"No. I don't like to lie. Well, I guess I wasn't lying. More like not telling all the truth."

"That's very common." Her head felt heavy and it lolled backwards twice before she looked back up at him. God, his lips looked damn near edible from this close up. They were a soft pink color and perfectly proportioned. He licked his lips as she watched, and couldn't help but let loose a soft breath out as her heart rate picked up.

He chuckled quietly when he noticed she wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying. "Lexi, don't you want to know what I'm talking about?"

"Yep," she said letting her focus shift back to his emerald green eyes. "I want to…"

"You want me to…" he began letting the words hang in the silence. Her eyes widened and pupils dilated with longing at the words. "tell you what I'm talking about?"

"Oh," she said, sucking in her bottom lip in confusion. "That's not what I thought you were going to say."

He sniggered again. "What I have to say can wait. What did you want me to say?" he asked leaning into her.

She blushed furiously as her thoughts turned sexual. She tilted her head back to look up at him. Suddenly, she wanted to be sitting on the banister so she could get a better look at him. She wanted to be eye level with him. She didn't want to make him bend so far forward if he did decide to kiss her. "Put me up," she demanded slapping her hand playfully on the banister.

"Alright, but be careful," he said hoisting her up and sitting her on the top of the railing. He held a firm grip on her so that she wouldn't fall. A ten foot drop while she was drunk probably wouldn't do her any serious damage, but he didn't want to take chances.

She liked her seat. Now she was even with him. This was much easier. His hand came up and swept the hair away that had blown into her face. "You know, Lexi, you're very beautiful."

She smiled at him through her lustful eyes. "Thank you." Her breath began to quicken as she noticed how close they had gotten. She hadn't noticed it before, but he scooted in between her legs to block the view from the window. She felt her bare thighs press against his sides, and realized her skirt was just barely covering her lower half. One hand was wrapped around her holding her securely in place. The other was on the back of her neck gently kneading the muscles. His breath was hot on her face. Their mouths were so close together.

There was no reason for her not to kiss him. She was single. She was completely one hundred percent available. Jack was nothing to her. She couldn't have him. Not the way she wanted him. So she might as well go for what was right in front of her. She pushed herself a little closer to Ramsey. She was so close she could almost feel his lips against her. His breathing was wretched with anticipation. Just as he moved closer to her, something caught her eye in the window. She let her gaze shift only briefly, and saw the most brilliant blue eyes lock onto her own. Then Ramsey was kissing her, and all thoughts were lost.

* * *

K.A. Linde

Can't Take It Back

Damn, ain't it crazy

When you're loveswept

You'll do anything for the one you love

'Cause anytime that you needed me I'd be there

It's like you were my favorite drug

-Rihanna "Rehab"

* * *

Chapter 10: May Three Years Earlier

Lexi crept back into the beach house just before sunrise. Her and Jack had sat together all night peacefully enjoying each other's company. Their attempt at a pleasant friendship had been mildly successful. Lexi was just glad that they had resisted kissing again. She was pretty sure they had gone over the line that was normally reserved for friends. But it was so incredibly mild and tame compared to their normal impulsive demeanor, neither of them had complained. She had given Jack a long hug at the base of the stairs. Both were staying on the cautious side, and didn't want to be caught together like that in the house. She checked to see that the coast was clear and then slunk across the den and into the bedroom. Being extra careful not to wake Sandy up, Lexi gently twisted the handle and secured it into place. When she turned around, she realized all efforts were futile. Sandy wasn't there.