The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys #1)(10)

“I’m sorry. I guess, I just didn’t want to be alone, but I’m okay. You can go. I know this is dull compared to your normal activities.” I managed a weak smile.

His frown deepened as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, but he didn’t take his eyes off me.

“Being with you isn’t dull. You just seem uncomfortable. If you want me to leave I will. I have a feeling you’re rethinking the having-me-over thing.”

I sighed and let out a small laugh.

“No. I want you to stay. I’ve just never had any guy over here but Sawyer and even then my parents were here. I’m nervous. It’s not that I don’t want you here.”

“Why do I make you nervous?” he asked, watching me.

“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully.

“Hmm. You’re wrong, by the way,” he replied, grinning.

“What?”

“You’ve had other guys here. I used to come here often. Your room still looks the same.”

I smiled. He was right. I just needed to remember this was the same boy who used to lay on my bed with me and watch movies.

He closed the space between us and relaxed as he stretched his arm along the back of the sofa. “I don’t bite, Ash. It’s just me. Promise. Come here and see.”

I studied the crook of his arm, and the idea of snuggling up against him was extremely tempting. But I didn’t think he had that in mind. So instead, I leaned back on the couch, careful not to touch him.

His hand didn’t come around me and pull me closer. It remained on the back of the couch and I hated that I was disappointed.

“Relax and watch the movie,” he said in a soft voice I’d never heard him use before. It made me feel warm and safe.

Beau’s arm eventually slid down to settle on my shoulders. Absently he started tracing small circles on my upper arm. It was almost as if little jolts of electricity were zinging through my body. I hoped he couldn’t tell my breathing was getting erratic. I closed my eyes and fantasized about how it would feel to run my hands under his T-shirt and touch the soft skin that covered his hard chest. I glanced up at him through my lashes and his attention was completely focused on the movie. He had no idea he was driving me crazy.

I slowly moved closer to him until my head was nestled in the crook of his arm. The smell of Irish Spring soap and the outdoors filled my senses. Sawyer always smelled like cologne. I liked soap. I turned my head just enough so I could smell him better. His arm gently tightened around me. He didn’t mean anything by it but it felt so very good. I turned my body toward his side and closed my eyes. My imagination took over and I wondered what it would feel like if he didn’t have this bothersome shirt covering up his chest.

“Ash.” Beau’s voice entered my fantasy.

“Hmm . . .” I managed to respond as my hand touched his abs.

“What’re you doing?” His voice didn’t sound right. There was a panicked tone to it that snapped me out of my dream and into reality. I gasped when I realized my leg was hiked up on Beau’s thigh. The hem of my sundress was barely covering my panties. To make matters worse my hand was under his black shirt and his skin felt so warm and soft. The soft circular patterns on my arm had stopped and his hand was no longer touching me. Horror washed over me and I jerked my hand out of his shirt and sat up.

“Oh my God,” I blurted out. “I’m sorry . . . I didn’t mean . . . I’m sorry.” I couldn’t look at him. Not after I’d been all over him! Instead, I did the only thing I could think of. I ran for my room.

I pushed the door hard enough to slam it but the loud crack never came.

“Ash, wait.” Beau’s voice made me cringe. Oh God, WHY did he have to follow me? Couldn’t he have just left?

I couldn’t face him.

“I’m sorry. Just . . . go, okay?”

I crossed my arms and stared hard at the window, waiting for him to leave. His arms wrapped around me from behind and I whimpered as the humiliation just got worse. He was going to try to comfort me.

“I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours but from the way you’re acting I can imagine it’s pretty bad.” He lowered his head to my shoulder. “You want me to leave and I’m going to go. But first I want to make sure you understand something.”

My throat was tight and tears clogged my airway. Responding wasn’t possible.

“I started that in there. Not you. I wasn’t prepared for the reaction I got. I thought you’d push me away, not . . . snuggle closer.” He stopped again and his breath was warm on my neck before his lips touched my bare shoulder. I shivered and his hands ran down my arms until they covered mine. “I shouldn’t have touched you. But I couldn’t help myself,” he murmured against my ear.

I wanted to argue. It wasn’t his fault. I wanted to tell him I was the one who got carried away. But I couldn’t manage more than just a small snivel. “I can’t do this, Ash. God knows I want to but I can’t,” and then he was gone. I turned to see him walking out of my door. More than anything I wanted to call him back, but I didn’t.

Chapter 4

The ding alerting me of a text message woke me up. I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus before reaching for my phone.

Beau: G’ morning