“You sound sure,” he said.
“You deserve the opportunity to shine. Don’t pass it up. Your mom wouldn’t want that.”
His body tensed behind me.
“She would’ve been so proud of you and encouraged you to go after what you’ve always wanted.”
He was silent for a while, and I wondered if I overstepped by bringing her up. Finally, he responded. “You’re right.”
“Could you repeat that?”
He chuckled.
“So you know what you need to do then?” I asked.
“I do,” he agreed, his arms tightening around me. “I need to go after what I’ve always wanted.”
Wait.
He buried his face in my hair and inhaled.
Goosebumps raced up my arms. I closed my eyes on a sigh, knowing this push and pull between us was getting more difficult to maneuver each day. I don’t know what came over me, but I couldn’t resist shifting my ass against him. Just like last night, I could feel his erection through his sweatpants, and tingles fluttered between my legs.
“G,” he warned.
“I’m not drunk tonight,” I said.
“I can see that,” he said low and gravelly.
The seconds passed. I don’t know who was waiting who out more.
“Why’d you try to kiss me last year?” I asked him.
“You know why.”
Did I? I thought he was reeling after the loss of his mom. But as time passed and I couldn’t get the almost-kiss out of my mind, I wondered if I’d been wrong. Now, I needed to hear him say it. “Do I?”
“You’ve known for a long time,” he said.
“Maybe I wasn’t ready then,” I whispered, having no clue why I’d admitted that. I hadn’t even admitted it to myself.
“Does that mean you are now?” he asked, his voice low and raw.
My heartbeat stuttered. Was I? Shit. “Maybe.”
“I’m gonna need more confirmation than that,” he said, shifting his hips so he purposely pressed himself against my ass.
“Yes,” I breathed out, suddenly wanting to feel his body on top of mine.
He leaned against my ear. I expected him to whisper something, but instead he sucked on my earlobe. I pulled in a sharp breath, unprepared for the sensations swirling low in my belly. His mouth trailed slowly down my ear to the sweet spot beneath it. My eyes nearly rolled into the back of my head as my thighs clenched together.
“Thayer,” I breathed.
“G?”
“Do that again,” I whispered.
“You sure?”