Free Best Served Cold by Tawdra Kandle

door with a parting wave.
    I curled up on my bed, tucking one hand beneath the pillow. Outside it was gray and dreary, matching my mood.
    “Shakespeare had it right,” I murmured.
    “Of course he did, but about what, in particular?” Ava had taken a book into bed with her and mirrored my position, snuggled under the covers.
    “Weather reflects the human condition.”
    “Oh, yup. That’s true. So you’re feeling gloomy?”
    “I guess.”
    “Hmm.” She rolled to her back and propped the textbook on her stomach. I closed my eyes and tried not to think about blogs or ex-boyfriends. Just as I was about to doze off, Ava spoke again.
    “That guy you were talking to Friday night. Dr. Fleming’s son? He’s cute.”
    I sighed. “He really is. And you didn’t even see the dimples.”
    “There were dimples?”
    “There were.”
    “Oh, man.” She shifted, punching her pillow and bunching it under her head. “You seemed like you were getting along when Jack and I interrupted.”
    I groaned and pulled the covers over my head. “He probably thinks I’m insane. I got all flustered when you guys came out. And then I went off with Jack, without explaining anything. I mean, what could I tell him?” I squeezed my eyes shut. A headache was beginning to form in my temples. “Just one more person thinking I’m nuts.”
    “Jules, you know, you can call this off any time. Tell Giff to cease and desist.”
    “I know. But...I’m not ready yet. When I saw Liam Friday night—well, when I didn’t see him, when I heard him—that hurt felt all new and shiny again. If he had looked at me, Ave, if he had just said my name, I’m afraid I would have gone right back to him. I want to get over that.”
    “Okay.” Her voice was gentle. “Just know, I’m behind you, whatever you want to do.”
     

     
    “Julia...”
    I had dozed off, and Liam’s voice in my ear brought me around. I smiled, my eyes still closed.
    “Time to wake up.”
    I snuggled closer to his warmth, breathing in his scent. “Don’t want to.”
    He laughed, and I heard it deep in his chest. Desire surged low within me. I crept my fingers up to trace his pecs, trail down to his stomach.
    Liam sucked in his breath as I moved lower. He caught my hand just as it skimmed the waistband of his shorts.
    “We’re supposed to go to that brunch. You’re not helping me want to go.”
    “Hmm. What time is it? Did the alarm ring?”
    “About half an hour ago. You turned it off.” He brushed his lips across my ear, and I shivered.
    “Why didn’t you wake me up before?”
    “I was enjoying the view.” He moved his mouth to my shoulder, inching the blanket lower, and I remembered I had slept without anything on. Warmth spread from my face even lower.
    Ava was away for the weekend, at some sort of conference for psychology students. It had been a huge honor for her to be selected to represent Birch, and I was thrilled for her, but I was even happier that she was in St. Louis for four days, giving Liam and me rare nights alone.
    “Remind me why we’re getting out of bed to eat some lousy food?” Liam’s hands had joined his mouth, and I gasped as he fastened on my breast.
    His tongue circled the nipple before he spoke. “Plans made before I knew Ava was going to be gone. God, you’re beautiful.” He shifted, moving on top of me, and I could feel that we weren’t getting out of bed any time soon...
    I woke with a gasp, my heart beating in my ears and my body flushed. I hadn’t dreamt of Liam often in the past few months, and mostly it was nonsense, crazy stuff without rhyme or reason. But this had been a memory, so real I nearly turned in bed and reached for him.
    The dream stayed with me for the rest of the day. I was preoccupied, and every nerve was close to the surface. I nearly rear-ended the car in front of me on the way to work.
    “Are you okay?” Sarah peered at me, a frown etched on her face. “You look...not right.”
    “Ah, just a late night.