Page 6 of Wrapped in Red

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” He stood up.

I shook my head. “I’m the best kiss you ever had. Oh, you’re going to compare all of them to me forever and ever. You want me to have like a million of your babies.”

“We’re not doing this.” CC stood up and walked over to the suitcase propped up on his dresser. He dug around inside before he pulled out a shirt. “You can wear this.” He held out a grey long-sleeved shirt.

“What is this for?”

“Just put it on.”

I took it from him before I realized what he wanted. CC wanted me to stay over. Sleep here, like I always did. My heart rattled around my chest.

“Are you sure? I can go home and come back in the morning.”

“I’m sure.”

He folded his arms over his broad chest to stare at me, his blond hair flopping into his eyes. CC needed a haircut. Had he been working out? I let my gaze move over his broad shoulders and his thick biceps; they looked, well, bigger. My best friend had always been sexy, but right now he looked downright eatable.

I nodded. “Right, well, can you turn around?”

“What, why? I’ve seen you naked before. Since when did you care about morals?” CC balked. When I raised my brows, he rolled his eyes. “Fine, whatever, princess.”

My mouth dropped. “Princess? I’ll show you princess.”

I yanked my shirt up over my head to toss it at him before I popped the clasp on my skinny jeans. I toed off my boots and yanked my pants off, leaving myself in just my briefs. Normally when I went on dates, I wore sexy panties, but my friend, Seth, had gone to my place and brought me a change of clothes. These things were hideous, but they would have to do. I could actually feel CC’s dark eyes as they trailed down my body, over my pale skin, over the bruises that covered my ribs and stomach before they darted back to my face.

“You just going to stand there in your underwear?”

“I thought that’s what you wanted?”

CC smirked. “You wish.”

I tugged the grey shirt over my head and felt it drop around my knees. Was it warm in here, or was it me? My heart was racing so fast I thought it might burst from my chest. Why was CC still staring at me?

“Thanks.” I smoothed the fabric down over my chest to read the Brooks Racing font across the front.

“You always looked better in my gear than I did,” CC commented. “I know this sounds like a shitty thing to say, considering what happened, but I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed my best friend.”

“Me, too.” I sat back down on the bed and patted the mattress. “You need to tell me about your new gig, boo. Brooks Racing, huh?”

He groaned and dropped his head back. “I can’t believe I’m going to be working for Watts Brooks. I swear he still thinks I want his fiancé, Holt, and honestly, I don’t. There was never a connection between us.” He blushed. “Right, you don’t know about that.”

“You’re going to have to tell me all aboutthat,” I teased and giggled when CC’s head shot up to glare at me. “Seriously, though, we have a lot to catch up on. We should start now.”

CC worried his lip between his teeth before he moved next to me. “Best friends love one another for life, boo.”

“You didn’t.” I felt like I was going to burst into tears.

He leaned his forehead against mine. “Eleven months’ worth of catching up. You better not plan on getting any sleep tonight.”