4. Fiona

4

FIONA

I close my laptop and rub my temples in hopes of somehow keeping all of the information I just absorbed inside my brain. I've been studying for a few hours now and I definitely need a break.

We didn't discuss my staying another night with Forest and Samantha, it just kind of happened. I spent yesterday finishing up an essay for one class, then Samantha offered to order us pizza for dinner while we watched a movie, and… well, I just sort of stayed. When Samantha started yawning, I took it as my cue to head off to bed.

Being around Forest and his mother is comforting and healing in a way I never knew possible. My childhood was anything but stable. With parents who loved drugs more than their kids, we didn't have very many family dinners together or pizza and movie nights. Actually, we had zero, to be exact.

Jett stepped in to be my guardian after our parents died in a car accident. It was awkward at first since he's so much older than me and left as soon as he could. I don't blame him. How many nights did I spend hiding under the covers wishing I could escape? Too many to count.

My older brother did everything he could to provide for me. I can never thank him enough for coming back to raise me. He had to grow up fast and we both had to figure out this new life together. Jett and I are still close and it kills me to think about hurting him. My feelings for Forest have developed into more than a schoolgirl crush and I'm not sure how Jett would take that piece of information.

The mouthwatering smell of garlic and herbs fills the room, making my stomach grumble. Looking at my phone, I see it's almost five-thirty in the evening. Did I really spend that long studying? No wonder I have a headache.

After going to the bathroom to freshen up a bit, I follow the tantalizing aroma of whatever Forest is cooking in the kitchen. I pass by Samantha, who is engrossed in whatever show is on this time of day, then enter the kitchen to see the most delicious sight.

Forest has on a black t-shirt that molds to his muscles. God, those biceps… I notice a few swirls of ink peeking out from the sleeve, making me wonder what tattoo he has. Is there more artwork scrawled over his chest? I want to see it. I want to trace each line with my fingertip and–

"There you are," Forest says, startling me from my inappropriate thoughts. "How's studying going? I don't think I ever worked that hard in school," he admits.

"My head is so stuffed full of information I may have forgotten my own name," I say with a dramatic sigh.

"Sounds like you need some food and a good night's rest. Exams start tomorrow?" he asks, focusing those otherworldly, ice-blue eyes on me.

I nod. "About food and sleep," I start, darting my eyes away from Forest's intense blue gaze. "If I'm overstaying my welcome here, just let me know. My roommate should be back soon and then I won't be alone at my apartment. Plus, I need to toughen up eventually. I can't just hide out with you for the rest of my life."

I end my rambling thoughts and twist my fingers together, staring at my hands until Forest officially kicks me out of his mom's house.

Instead, he covers both of my hands with one of his, engulfing them in his warmth. "Fiona," he murmurs, his shadow falling over me as he steps into my personal space. I look up - way up - at him, my eyes locking with his. "You're not a burden. I enjoy your company and so does my mother. We're here for you. I'm here for you."

I sway toward Forest, needing to be closer to him. I can't explain my need to touch him, to feel his skin on mine, to taste his lips…

The timer on the oven beeps, making us jump apart. It's probably for the best. I was going to make a fool of myself by trying to kiss him and then his rejection would be too humiliating to endure and I'd have to leave this house, possibly the entire town, and never return.

"Better get that," Forest says in a rush, seemingly thankful to have something to do.

Oh my god, does he know I wanted to kiss him? That I was about to steal my first kiss from my brother's best friend?

Forest pulls a perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken out of the oven, the skin golden brown. I'm sure this is the source of the buttery, garlic, and herb smell that distracted me from my studies in the first place.

"Wow, that looks incredible," I compliment.

"It's nothing," he replies, though I can tell he's proud of the dish he prepared. A tiny part of my heart hopes he did it to impress me, but I know that's just a fantasy.

"Can I help with anything?" I ask, hoping to move past the near-embarrassing moment of me throwing myself at Forest.

"The chicken needs to cool a bit and the mashed potatoes are done and warming on the stove. I could use some help prepping the salad though."

I nod and head to the sink to wash my hands. Forest grabs a carton of strawberries out of the fridge and then hands me two apples from the fruit basket on the counter. "What kind of salad are we making?"

"Strawberry almond spinach salad with my famous homemade balsamic vinaigrette."

"How fancy," I tell him with a smile. "What's the special occasion?"

Without missing a beat, Forest replies, "You."

I blink at him, unsure of how to respond. Forest looks away from me and rubs the back of his neck before sighing.

"I'll make the dressing and you can chop up the fruit," he says, quickly turning to the fridge to gather his own ingredients.

I'm not sure how to take that comment, but I brush it off as a kind remark from a kind man. That's all it is. That's all it can be.

I get to work cutting the strawberries into quarters and then chopping the apples into bite-sized pieces, though everything in me is hyper-aware of Forest's presence. Maybe I should go home tonight after all. It's only a matter of time before I slip up and say or do something that will reveal exactly how deep my feelings for Forest go.

"I could have sworn we had a salad dressing bottle," Forest says under his breath as he looks in one cupboard after another.

"It's up here," I tell him, pointing to the cabinet above me.

I'm about to scoot over to give him room, but he steps up behind me, placing a hand on my hip as he reaches over my head. Fire spreads through my veins and my heart races, the heavy beats matching the aching pulse between my thighs.

I'm unable to stop leaning back against his chest and abs, shivering when his rippling muscles brush against my back. Forest inhales sharply, the hand on my hip tightening and pulling me even closer. He exhales with a growl that vibrates through my body.

He grabs the bottle and sets it on the counter before tilting his head and nuzzling into the side of my neck. I hum in contentment, resting my head against his shoulder. Forest grips both of my hips, ghosting his nose and lips up and down my neck.

"Forest," I murmur, subconsciously rolling my body against his.

"Fuck, Fiona…"

My world spins as Forest turns me around to face him. His normally light blue eyes are dark with desire. I nibble on my bottom lip as I stare at his mouth. My hands move almost without my permission, crawling up Forest's chest and feeling the dips and curves of his sculpted muscles.

He groans softly, looking up toward the ceiling while closing his eyes. "You feel so good," he murmurs, his voice low and gravelly. Forest slides his large hands around to my back, one tickling up my spine while the other cups my ass, giving it a squeeze. I'd be mortified if not for the hard bulge in his jeans that I can feel growing the longer he touches me. "I bet you'll taste even better."

Forest looks back down at me, the fire in his eyes mirrored in mine. He gives me a moment to pull away, but instead, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down, meeting him halfway.

His lips touch mine, briefly at first, and then more firmly. I sink into his embrace, surrendering to his touch. His lips part beneath mine, the very tip of his tongue snaking out to lick my bottom lip before he breaks our kiss.

I don't know what comes over me, but I'm not done with him yet. I grip his shirt and draw him back into me. Forest's eyes go dark, making me gasp softly before his mouth is on mine, claiming me with more intensity this time.

Forest breathes me in as he consumes me, coaxing me to open my lips and let him in.

This kiss is different. Wilder. Rougher. A low, gravelly sound rumbles up through his chest as he presses me against the kitchen counter. His lips part, and he licks inside my mouth, tangling our tongues together.

Forest swallows down my desperate cry, muffling the sound and pulling my body closer against his. I can feel the tight muscles he has packed into his chest and stomach. Coupled with the way his strong arms are holding me tightly, and the obvious erection digging into my stomach, I nearly whimper again as I melt into his embrace.

He tears his mouth from mine, only to continue undoing me with light, teasing kisses down my neck. "Forest," I whisper, barely getting the word out before his lips find mine once more.

My body moves on its own, grinding against his, seeking some relief from the ache he's created deep inside. He groans, the sound almost painful as he grinds his body against mine. His hands roam up and down my curves, leaving a trail of goosebumps as they go.

Forest grips my hips, squeezing them and then gently pushing me away as he backs up. I'm out of breath and need to lean against the counter to maintain my balance. That was the single hottest kiss in existence. How lucky am I that it was my first? I can't wait to do it again.

When I look up at Forest, however, the fluttering, floating feeling in my heart evaporates. He won't even look at me. "I shouldn't have done that," he mutters. "It was a mistake."

I swallow back tears and nod my head before turning around to face the counter. With shaking hands I attempt to cut the rest of the apple I was working on, but I can't even hold the damn knife.

Forest clears his throat and I peer at him over my shoulder. His eyes don't meet mine, and I feel stupid and ashamed of my actions. Maybe he was just reciprocating because he didn't want me to feel bad, but… God, I'm such an idiot .

"I've got it from here," he informs me. "Everything will be done soon anyway. I'll bring you a plate."

I nod once again, not trusting my voice at the moment. Silently, I wash my hands off and then shuffle my way toward the living room. Right before I step out of the kitchen, Forest calls out.

"Fiona," he says, making me freeze. He's silent for a moment, and I turn halfway, not sure what he's going to say. "I… You and me…" He sighs and runs a hand through his short hair.

"It's fine," I choke out. I sound pathetic, but there's nothing to do about that now. Instead of sitting down next to Samantha, I dash into the bathroom before I burst into tears.

What the hell was that? And what am I going to do now?