Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

I waited for her to demand to know who I was entertaining. I knew she cared deeply for me. We hadn’t come out and used the word that dangled around our hearts like blazing billboards but I knew she would stew if she didn’t ask.

And frankly, it kinda pissed me off that she never asked who Fiona was from my stupid text about Fi saying Ves should like me. Not that it mattered now as they’d met about a week ago and become almost as close as her and Polly.

Damn women and their brethren.

“Go on, Ves. Spit it out.”

An explosive sigh hit my ear. “Are you trying to make me jealous or are you just proving a point?”

“A bit of both. But it depends on what point I’m trying to prove.”

“The stupid point being you’re trying to make me admit that I’m in lo—” She wrenched to a stop. She coughed. “Um, the point being that I’m incredibly possessive of you and don’t like the thought of you being with anyone else but me.”

I practically hyperventilated at the almost slip.

Did she love me?

Fuck, I hope she does.

“Does it soothe your jealousy knowing my date tomorrow night has a penis?”

“Not really. I know how irresistible you are. If they’re gay, then I have to worry about the male species as well as my own moving in on my territory.”

“Your territory, huh?”

“Yep. I might have to pee on you. It works in the animal kingdom. It could work at keeping hussies and eager men away.”

“And what if this man was related? Would you be worried then?”

“Oh my God, even more worried! You slept with your so-called cousin. Multiple times, I might add.” Her outburst rang with laugher. “No family relation is safe.”

“Ah, I love yo…ur sense of humour.”

Holy shit, I almost slipped.

Good save, Ry. Good save.

We were both on a slippery slope tonight.

Time to end the call before more confessions happened.

“You love my sense of humour?” Her voice was hesitant. “That’s all you love?”

I scowled at the ceiling, cursing myself. “Yup. That’s what I said. Sense of humour. Love it. Great. Funny stuff, VV.”

She tutted. “Right. Because that’s exactly what I want you to love about me.” The hook dangled, and I swam toward it like the sucker I was.

I love your smile, your laugh, your face, your body, your soul, your kindness, your intelligence, your empathy, the way you sleep, the mole on your butt, your vanilla smell.

I love you.

But I was a man not a fish, and I didn’t take the bait.

Doing my best to change the subject, I chuckled. “Remember I said I had an older brother? He’s arriving in town tomorrow night. I promised him clean sheets and a roof to sleep under. I have to uphold my side of the bargain even though I literally have no finished bedroom to store him in.”

“He’s your brother, not a piece of luggage. You mean look after him not store him.”

“Meh, same thing.”