Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

weeks and she already had a trip plannedfrom way back, so he thinks neither of us will be there.” She smiled evenbigger. “Our surprising him when we’re there next weekend will be part of hisgift.”

She proceeded to pour what looked like shredded meat in red sauceonto a saucepan. The tension drained from Byron’s stiff neck and shouldersbecause this did sort of make sense with the direction her hushed conversationseemed to be going. But why whisper? And why had she looked so unnerved when hewalked into the kitchen?

Byron decided maybe she hadn’t been. Maybe his whipped ass wasjust jumping to conclusions because his head kept going back to his initialmisgivings about allowing this to move so insanely fast in the first place. Maybehis insecure ass was looking to find something that wasn’t there.

Wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, he moved her hairaside and kissed her nape. He was done. Done, questioning everything.Done trying to justify his reservations about doing this with her. He’d just gowith this and enjoy it. So far, despite all his doubts she’d been perfect.Well, except for still keeping in touch with an ex-shit, but then it’s not likeshe’d reached out to him or they were keeping in touch any other way. He’d justlet it go. As long as nothing more became of it.

“Can I start guessing now?”

“No, not yet.” She reached for another container with more chilionly a lot thicker than the first one and pulled out a strainer from one of thebags. “You’ll figure it out sooner than later. This is very common, so I’m prettysure you’ve already had it. But my family’s restaurant adds a little twist toit. It’s been one of my favorite things on the menu for as long as I canremember.”

As Savannah continued to prepare everything, Byron watched unableto keep his hands and lips off her for too long. Through it all, she returnedthe affection with just as much as her usual willingness. At times turningaround altogether to give into his deep kisses, then exhaling all overlywistful and giggling at her own silliness.

Halfway through the meal she prepared, Byron was just aboutconvinced. The endearing way she responded to Byron was too genuine to befaked. She’d taken him home to meet her entire family for Christ’s sakes, andshe said she’d been the first to do so. Her family’s reaction to him confirmedit. His inability to keep his hands and lips off her should’ve been annoying toher, it was so bad. Instead, she welcomed it as cheerfully as only she could.As usual she was full of happy energy as she laughed and spoke enthusiasticallyall the while accepting his lustful kisses and groping.

Byron followed her around the kitchen like a pathetic littlepuppy dog and he didn’t even care anymore. He was sold now. Each time he kissedher, and she kept her eyes closed even after he was finished, as if she wasn’tready to stop enjoying what it made her feel, he knew she had it as bad as hedid. She didn’t even try to hide how enamored she was feeling, and it was sucha fucking relief because he was done trying to play his feelings down for her.

She continued to cook, talking the whole way as she put it alltogether. Her cooking skills were impressive. Clearly, being raised in arestaurant environment it all seemed so second nature to her. From the way she strainedthe chili, to the quick way she began making homemade corn tortillas.

He was standing behind her again, his hands roaming her body,from her dainty waist down the side of her hips. Savannah sniggered when hishands came around to her ass and he squeezed with a groan. “You know it looksand smells delicious, but I can hardly wait for this.” Rubbing his ready-to-burstcock against her ass, he sprinkled kisses on the soft skin of her shoulder again.“And this.” He nipped her neck, this time sucking a little harder, making hersquirm away laughing.

“Stop it, Richie—”

Like tires coming to a screeching halt, the playing ceasedinstantly as both of them went stiff. Byron released her roughly feeling hisinsides igniting as she cleared her throat. “I mean Byron, I’m trying—”

“The fuck did you just call me?”

Twenty-Five

Bushwhacked

Byron

Byron knew it. He fucking knew it. Only solace he’dtake from this, was that at least he now had the heart twisting confirmationthat he hadn’t been feeling like an insecure little bitch all this time,for no reason. That at a moment like the one they’d been having; Savannah wouldbe thinking of not just Richard. Not just her fucking ex, but Richie,spoke volumes.

“Richie?” Just saying it turned his already nauseatedstomach. “Is that what you usually call him? Or is that only when he’s touchingyou the way I—”

“No!” She shook her head trying to reach out for him, buthe backed up not wanting any part of her touching him now.

Worst thing is while she still hadn’t said much, the look in hereyes said it all. This hadn’t been just a slip. She’d likely been thinking ofthat fucker the whole time. “I just misspoke, Byron.”

“Yeah?”

As pissed as this made him, Byron wasn’t sure what made himmadder. The fact that she looked guilty as fuck, or that his dumb ass wasfeeling something else than the only thing he should be feeling. Hewanted the rage to drown out the infuriating ache in his heart. It had nobusiness being there. She had no business being so deep in there, andhe’d known it all along.

“Misspoke? Just when I was—”

“I’m sorry!” She brought her hand to her mouth as her browspinched, and there it was.

“Don’t apologize.”

“It’s just that—”

“Don’t be sorry, Savannah.” He realized he was gettingloud, but he couldn’t help it. “Don’t be sorry that your ex, that still hasfeelings for you is on your mind even when—”

“It’s not that.” She shook her head. “It’s only because I just spokewith him today—”

“Bullshit!” Sucking in a sharp breath, Byron willedhimself to calm down. “Not that it matters but don’t fucking lie to me now. Itis what it is. You hung out with him today, like you’re