ADDICTED

24

LEAH

The image of James walking towards me, water rivulets streaming down the lean stretch of his torso, burned in my mind. In the most sinfully delicious way. My shoulder started to ache from where it was pressed against the wood pylon. I stared out at the darkening woods, the final wisps of peach-colored light slipping between the spindly trees, but I wasn't seeing that. My eyes craved something far more indulgent. Maybe I should peek into his room one more time and see what view welcomed me.

"Dayum."

I started with a gasp and spin around. Julia grinned. Her bony, feline figure was draped in a distressed denim skirt and long-sleeve, sweater crop top with tan booties. She could have been a model, for sure. Long legs jutting out of the skirt and collar bones that artfully framed the harsh angles of her face.

The stoicism in her eyes yet the excellent posturing of her slender figure gave off that delicate-but-playful vibe.

Despite this, I wasn't accosted by her beauty. I felt attractive enough to hold the front lines of my battered confidence. Maybe that year of therapy did something after all.

My natural response was to pick at my gray blouse and say, "Is the slow one ready yet?"

She chuckled. "I'm assuming not, or he'd be in here devouring you. And please, Leah, take my compliment."

"Compliment?"

"Dayum is a compliment, yes. How long have you gone without female contact?"

I swallowed, still thinking about her 'devouring' remark. What the hell did that even mean?

"Too long," I told her. "I'm going home this weekend, so I'll be a little bit better in that department when I come back."

She made a pouty face. "The first weekend I'm here and you'll be gone?"

"It's nothing personal," I said, managing a genuine smile.

"Well. I'll just have to enjoy you for the night."

It was my turn to chuckle. James appeared in the threshold of the living room like a phantom, his eyes the darkest part of his face in the dim light.

We looked at each other. My lungs did a little flop and I leaned back into the pylon.

"The slow one is ready," he declared.

My cheeks warmed as I smiled. God, he heard that.

"Let's go then! I need a drink," Julia huffed. She marched towards the garage, her heeled shoes clicking against the wood floor.

Unlike his sister, James approached me without making a sound. My pulse clambered against my temples. I didn't know why I felt so damn nervous.

He paused just arm's length away and peered down at me. I wanted to melt into my jeans. His mouth was just so kissable, and I wanted to feel it against mine.

His tongue juts out to wet those impeccably thick lips. My thighs clenched.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked. "I know you might still be shaken up from New York. This is my sister's silly whim, and you shouldn't feel responsible for making it happen. I can put up with her perfectly fine. She can be overbearing at times—"

Something came over me and I grabbed his hands where they gripped one another in front of him. "Julia is fine," I said. "She's fun. I need a little fun. And I'm making sure you come along so we don't have another New York incident."

His eyes seemed to brighten. "No one will ruffle a stitch in your sweater. No one will even look at you if you want."

I smiled. "Not that far. I want someone to buy my drinks. Just don't let me get hauled up to a loft or a sex dungeon, okay?"