She kissed me back

Zane’s POV

I was grinning to myself as I walked back to Maddie’s apartment. Messing with Emma? I was enjoying it a little too much. She always acted a bit strange around me, nervous, shy, never quite sure what to say. For a while, I had no idea why. But now I get it. She likes me. And now that I know, everything’s different.

To me, she was always just Maddie’s best friend. Nothing else. But that changed six months ago. We all went out, and she wore this tight black dress that showed off every curve. That was the first time I really saw her.

Her figure, her mouth, those legs... damn. I told myself she was off-limits. My sister’s best friend. But that rule? It flew right out the window tonight. Honestly, I was bored. Tired of the usual girls who came and went. I wanted something different, something I was not supposed to touch.

And Emma? She’s my new game. She just does not know it yet.

When I walked into my sister’s place, Maddie looked up from the couch.

“Did you get my best friend home safe?” she asked.

“Of course,” I said, giving her my best smile. “Even walked her to the door.”

“Thanks,” she replied with a smile, completely trusting.

If only she knew what happened after that door shut behind us. But she won’t. Because whatever this thing is between me and Emma, it stays between us. Maddie can never find out. She would lose her mind. And besides, it is not serious. Nothing ever is with me. I get bored quickly, always have. I dropped onto the couch beside Maddie and bumped her shoulder.

“So, baby sister, what’s going on?”

“I’m good. What about you? Met anyone worth keeping around yet? You are not getting any younger,” she teased, laughing.

I groaned. “Rude. I am not that old. And no, you know me. I do not stick around for long.”

“Exactly! I can’t wait for the day someone turns your world upside down. It will happen,” she said, grinning.

I laughed and shook my head. That was not going to happen anytime soon. Relationships were too much work, too much drama.

We chatted for another hour, just catching up. Then I said I should head home, I had not been back in a month, and I needed to settle in. We made plans to meet for lunch the next day.

“Goodnight, bro. See you tomorrow,” she said, hugging me. “Love you.”

“Goodnight, sis. Yeah, see you then. You can ask Emma if she wants to come too,” I said casually. “Love you too.”

Maddie said she would check with Emma. But I had a feeling, if Emma knew I would be there, she might decide not to come.

I headed to my car, drove home, and pulled my bags from the boot. I left everything in the hallway. I could deal with it tomorrow. Right now, I needed a hot shower, a glass of Scotch, and my own bed. Before heading to the bathroom, I picked up my phone and sent Emma a text.

“Hey sexy, what are you doing? xx”

I had no idea if she would reply, but then my phone pinged. Her name lit up the screen, and I grinned.

“Hi, not much. You? x”

A kiss. That was progress. I decided to keep pushing, bold moves were my thing, even when I knew I probably should not.

“Just got undressed, about to hit the shower. Want to join me? It’s massive. xx”

“I would, but I have better things to do. Thanks though.”

I laughed. Not the reply I was hoping for, but she was not falling easily. That only made this more fun.

“Come on, sexy. You know it sounds good. Hot shower, hotter company. What beats that? x”

“I really don’t. What I want is for you to stop messing around. You’ve never liked me, so don’t start pretending. It’s not right, and you know it.”

Ouch. No kiss this time. She was annoyed. Fair enough. But I was not done yet.

I did not reply. Instead, I jumped into a quick shower, pulled on a fresh T-shirt and jeans, and booked a ride to her place. On the way, I grabbed a bottle of wine. This was either going to crash and burn or work. I will find out soon.

"Thanks, man," I said, giving the driver some cash before getting out.

I walked straight into her building and up to her door. It was late, so there was a chance she would not even answer. I knocked once. Nothing. Knocked again.

This time, I heard movement inside. Then silence.

She was probably checking who it was. A second later, I heard her groan through the door, and I chuckled.

A few moments passed, then the lock clicked, and she opened the door.

"Why are you here at eleven at night?" she asked, arms crossed.

Her attitude did not even bother me. Not with what she was wearing, tiny shorts and a fitted tank top that showed off just enough to drive me crazy. My eyes dragged over her body, smooth legs, curves that begged for attention. I let out a low sound without thinking.

“Did you come all the way here just to stare at me?” she asked, giving me a look.

"That was not the plan," I said, smirking. "But after seeing you open the door like that... can you blame me?"

"Well, I was not expecting anyone at this hour. Zane, what are you doing here?" she asked, eyeing me.

"I thought we could share a drink." I held up the wine.

"A bit late for that, don’t you think?" she said with a short laugh.

"It is never too late for wine. You really going to leave me out here after I came all this way just to see you?"

I gave her my best smile.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Come in."

I stepped inside, and she closed the door behind us. I could not help stealing a look at her from behind; her curves were impossible to ignore. When she turned, she caught me.

"Enjoying the view?" she asked.

"I was. Want to turn around again so I can enjoy it properly?" I winked.

She laughed, cheeks turning pink, and walked off toward the kitchen.

"Make yourself at home," she called.

I dropped onto the sofa, took off my coat, and got comfortable. A moment later, she came back with two glasses. She sat a little far, so I slid closer. She shifted like she was trying to stay calm. I could tell I got under her skin.

I took the glasses, poured the wine, and handed her one.

"Thanks," she said, then drank the whole thing in one go.

"Wow. Thirsty?" I grinned. "Or is it me making you nervous?"

She gave me a sharp look. "Seriously, Zane, what is going on with you? Why are you here? Why are you acting like this? And what is with the dirty messages?"

A lot of questions. I did not bother answering them all.

Instead, I took her glass, set it down beside mine, then placed my hand gently on her bare thigh. Her body reacted straight away. She looked at me, lips parting just slightly as her eyes darkened.

"I told you, Emma. I want you."

"I do not know if I believe that," she said, voice low.

"It is the truth. I have wanted you since that night you wore that tight black dress. You looked insane in it." I let my hand travel higher.

Her eyes closed for a second, and she bit her lip. Her breathing slowed. When she looked at me again, the doubt was still there, but so was something else.

"You... you really have?" she asked.

I nodded once.

She still looked like she needed convincing. So I pulled her onto my lap. She gasped a little as her body landed against mine. I wrapped one arm around her waist, the other guiding her face toward mine. She did not move away. Before she could say anything, I kissed her hard.

She let out a soft sound, but then her lips moved with mine. That was it. She kissed me back. I groaned into the kiss, caught off guard by how good it felt. Her lips were soft and warm, and she tasted even better than I imagined. And I knew right then, I was not stopping now.