My Scumbag Ex's Best Friend

Stupid Decisions

Everett

I don't know how we got here.

My fingers are digging into Addy's hair while my lips are pressed against hers, lightly at first, then everything slips from my control when she starts kissing me back.

My d**k is throbbing against her abdomen and our mouths are just melting together. Words can't describe the feeling of dragging my tongue along her lower lip so she can let me in. A groan leaves my throat when she lets my tongue slip past her perfect lips and I finally get a taste of her.

I'm kissing Addy Bettencourt.

I can't f*****g believe it.

I tilt my head to kiss her deeper while running my hands along the sides of her body. My head is f*****g spinning right now and it feels like I'm in a daze. I have this sudden urge to rip this dress off her body so I can taste and bite every inch of her.

How long have I waited for this exact moment?

Addy runs her hands along my chest as her tongue glides along mine. I press her even harder against the wall, and she lets out a moan when I drag my hand along her thigh, pushing the dress up along with it.

I grind against her, rubbing my c**k along her sweet p***y, and we both moan. Pleasure explodes behind my closed lids and I swallow every sound Addy makes.

Then, it hits me.

I'm the one who breaks the kiss and backs away. Addy and I stare at each other wide-eyed and breathing hard. I see shock stamped all over her face and that's when I turn on my heel and leave.

Like a coward.

I reach the stairs and forget about the whole party. It's not like I was even having fun—all I did since I arrived and saw her was keep an eye on her, especially when Jacques approached their group and began pestering her like the sick f**k he is.

If anyone takes a close look at me, they'll see the raging erection I'm sporting. But I make it outside safely, without being stopped by anyone.

I get in my car and slam the door shut, but just as I'm searching for my keys, it hits me that I have no idea if Jacques left. If he didn't, then he'll surely try to pester her again, maybe do worse because I attacked him.

Fuck.

I head inside again, annoyed at a million things, but most importantly, annoyed at myself for walking out on her without a word after that kiss. I don't think kissing someone ever felt as good as it did with her.

I can still taste her on my tongue, and I'd be a damned liar if I said I didn't want to kiss her again.

And again.

But I've crossed a line tonight. Yes, she kissed me back, but I knew how much she'd been drinking, and she looked pretty shocked when I broke the kiss.

I messed up.

Big time.

I don't even know if there'll be any coming back from this.

I've been ignoring her because of this exact reason—I didn't want to do something I'd regret. My feelings toward her have always been stronger than they should've been, considering she never paid any attention to me before.

"Everett?"

My train of thought is interrupted at the sight of Reynold and Lian. They both wave at me and I close the distance between us.

"I knew it was you," he claims, slapping my shoulder. "How are you? We haven't spoken since that night in The Poison Kiss."

"We should have dinner," Lian suggests. "Of course, it would be amazing if you brought Adelaide with you. I loved talking to her the other night. Is she here with you?"

"No, she isn't," I reply stiffly as I reach for a glass of champagne from one of the waiters nearby. I need something a lot stronger than champagne, but this will do because my mouth is f*****g dry right now.

"Are you okay, chap?" Reynold asks, sounding concerned.

"Yeah. Just find," I lie.

Because I have a view of the stairs from where I'm standing, I see Addy coming down the stairs, searching the room.

I can't help but wonder who she's looking for.

What does she think about the kiss?

What will we say to each other the next time our paths cross?

I stare at her intently, then I avert my gaze when she's approached by her friends. They move to the garden shortly afterward—yes, I'm still keeping an eye on her—and I make a mental note to figure out if Jacques left so I can go home in peace and think about what I've done.

When I turn my attention to Reynold, suddenly remembering that he's standing in front of me, I find them both staring at me with comical looks on their faces.

"I knew there was something between the two of you," Lian comments. "Don't even bother trying to lie, Everett!"

I shake my head and rake my fingers through my hair just as Reynold drapes an arm over my shoulder. "I think you need a drink."

We head toward the bar. I can't see Addy anymore and I'm concerned, but I've got to have something to take the edge off because right now, it feels like I'll explode.

Figuratively and literally.

Every time I think about the kiss and how she moaned when I ground against her, my d**k gets even harder. Even the champagne wasn't enough to wipe her taste from my mouth.

Reynold slaps my back, rooting me in the present again. "Now, what's going on? You told me she was your friend's...?"

"Yeah," I claim. "But I've loved her forever. Before he ever married her."

"Ah."

Lian is on the other side of Reynold, desperate to hear, but I keep my voice low. Shaking my head, I tell him, "I messed up tonight. I've been messing up since she walked back into my life, as a matter of fact. I don't have control over the way I feel and it's making me act like a child."

"But she's still with him?"

"They're getting divorced."

"That's a good sign, then!" he exclaims. The drinks are placed in front of us and he raises his glass. "Cheer up, pal."

I don't say anything else because he doesn't get it and never will. It's a matter of principle, too.

It doesn't matter if I haven't spoken to Rick properly in years. What matters, and what everyone knows, is that we're close. We're business partners, too.

How can I even consider being with her?

I only have one more drink because I have to drive. Eventually, I leave Reynold and Lian and go asking about Jacques. It seems he left. The f*****g pig.

My date, the one I completely forgot about, approaches me with a smile on her face. "Everett, I'll try not to be offended that you ditched me."

"I'm sorry, Roberta," I say. "Something came up."

"Ah," she remarks. "Well, I'm ready to leave. Where are you headed?"

I stare at her intently, wondering if I should take the bait. I have the feeling that if I don't, I'll do something really stupid.

And I've done enough stupid things tonight to last me a lifetime.

So, I take her home.