Chapter 5

The leather couch creaked under their weight as Chloe and Hendrix sat thigh to thigh, the air thick with tension.

After years of friendship, there was no mistaking the heat in the lingering looks they exchanged, the casual touches that lasted a beat too long.

Hendrix cleared his throat, steeling himself. It was now or never.

“Chloe, I... there’s something I need to tell you.” His voice was rough with emotion as he turned to face her.

She arched her brow, but he could see the flicker of nerves in her eyes. She felt it too. This pull between them had grown into an unstoppable force.

“What is it?” she asked.

His hand covered hers, fingers intertwining. “I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember.”

Chloe flushed, her gaze dropping to his mouth. She licked her lips unconsciously and desire roared through him, hot and primal.

His lips claimed hers in a searing kiss as her arms came up to wrap around his neck. The sweet taste of him was like coming home, and as her body melted against his.

Hendrix pulled back to look at Chloe, his heart pounding. He couldn’t believe this was finally happening. After years of denying his feelings, pushing them down in favor of their friendship, he was kissing the woman he loved.

But there was still a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “What happens now?”

He stroked her cheek, wanting nothing more than to reassure her. “I don’t want anything to change, except for this.” His hand slid down to rest over her heart. “I want you, Chloe. In every way, for as long as you’ll have me.”

“You’re sure?” Her eyes searched his. “Because there’s no going back.”

Hendrix smiled, filled with a tender warmth. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. We were meant to be, you and I. It’s always been you.”

Chloe blinked back tears, a smile curving her lips. “Well, when you put it like that...” She leaned in and kissed him again, soft and sweet.

When she drew back, her eyes were shining. “I love you too, you know. I think I always have.”

Joy exploded in his chest as he pulled her close, laughter and emotion mingling together. After all the difficulties, the longing and heartache, they had finally found their way home.

Hendrix kissed the top of Chloe’s head, breathing in her familiar scent. “No more pretending,” he promised.

She snuggled into his embrace with a contented sigh. “No more pretending.”

Hendrix’s hand slid under Chloe’s dress, his fingers tracing the soft skin of her lower back. She shivered against him, her breath quickening.

“Is this okay?” he murmured.

“Yes.” She shifted to straddle his lap, her gaze holding his. “I need to feel you, Hendrix.”

Groaning, he pulled her mouth down to his again. The kiss deepened, fueled by pent-up desire and longing. His hands roamed over her body while she rocked against him, the friction driving him mad with want.

When they broke apart, Chloe’s eyes were dark and hungry. “Bedroom. Now.”

Hendrix stood, lifting her with him. Chloe wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing a trail down his neck as he walked them towards the bedroom.

By the time he laid her down on the bed, they were both breathless with need. He paused, drinking in the sight of her spread out before him, hair fanned out and lips swollen from his kisses. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“Come here,” Chloe said, holding out her hand.

He went willingly, lowering himself over her smaller frame. She arched into him with a sigh as their bodies aligned, skin touching skin.

“I love you,” Hendrix whispered, gazing into her eyes.

Chloe smiled, cupping his face in her hands. “Show me.”

And so he did.

* * *

Chloe lay curled against Hendrix’s side, her head resting on his chest as they caught their breath. Her heart was still racing, body thrumming with pleasure and remnants of desire.

She traced lazy circles on his abdomen, thinking of everything that had passed between them. It had been explosive and passionate, fueled by years of built-up longing.

She tilted her head up, meeting Hendrix’s gaze. His eyes were soft.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, fingers combing through her hair.

Chloe bit her lip. “I don’t want this to ruin what we have.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes. “You mean our friendship?”

She nodded. “I can’t lose you, Hendrix. No matter how incredible that was, you mean more to me than any physical relationship. I’m having trouble with this.”

“Hey.” He cupped her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Listen to me. You are the most important person in my life, Chloe, in any capacity. Our friendship is finding who we are. This...” He paused, glancing at their naked bodies entwined together. “This is an extension of that. I don’t want to lose you either. You’re stuck with me, in whatever way you’ll have me.”

Relief and affection welled up inside her. She surged forward, capturing his mouth in a searing kiss.

When they parted, she rested her forehead against his. “Promise?”

“I promise,” he said. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Chloe smiled, the last of her uncertainty fading away. No matter where their relationship went from here, she knew Hendrix would always be by her side.

And for now, that was enough.

* * *

Hendrix wrapped his arms around Chloe, pulling her closer against his chest. Her body was soft and warm, fitting perfectly against his in a way that made his heart ache with tenderness.

He still couldn’t believe they were here, together like this. After years of longing looks and casual touches, the simmering tension between them had finally reached its boiling point. Now there was no going back.

Not that he wanted to.

Chloe sighed, her breath tickling his collarbone. “We should probably get dressed soon.”

“Do we have to?” He nuzzled her neck, smiling at the shiver that ran through her. “I’m rather enjoying the view.”

She laughed, the sound vibrating against his skin. “As much as I’d like to stay here, we are supposed to meet up with Sasha and Miles, remember?”

Hendrix groaned. Of course, they had plans. When had he become so irresponsible?