What Lovers Do

by Jewel E. Ann

One day at a time. Shep is my friend. Period. If Shep World ends tomorrow, so be it. Then why am I so excited about meeting him at the store to wash Cersei? Oh … that’s right. I’m going to get wet.

“You like having your ass handed to you on the golf course, huh?” “Sophie, if you’re the one doling out the ass-kicking, I’m in. Anything to be with you.”

“You’re a good distraction,” I say. “You’re not dramatic like my girlfriends. And I could use an opportunity to regain my faith in men at this point in my life.” “Well crap. That puts a lot of pressure on me … representing the entire male species. If I screw up, you’ll die alone.” I laugh. “Exactly. So don’t screw up.”

“I’m just saying…” he continues “…we’re friends. And you should be looking at the upside to my gender. If … and I’m only saying if … you need a cock, I just so happen to have one you can borrow.” He grins like he borrowed that smile from the devil himself. “That’s what friends are for.”

“Are you bullying me?” He tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “I didn’t take you for a bully, but I’m feeling a little bullied.” I stick out my lower lip. “Sorry. Am I too much for you to handle?” Something crosses his face, and it’s chilling—thrilling. A drug I don’t need, but I think I might like it a little too much if I take even the tiniest hit. “You have no idea how much I can handle.” He stands, sauntering to the grill. “The question is … are you ready to be handled?”

“Everyone does. But the sun never ceases to exist, not even on cloudy days.”

“Millie wasn’t and isn’t the sun.” I scoff. “And I am?” “Unequivocally.”

“Just his hidden sunshine on a cloudy day. You’re good with being felt, but not always seen,”

“I’m a terrible loser. The worst. Yet…” He takes my chin and tips my head up, forcing me to look at him “…if someone’s going to hand it to me in golf, I want it to be you. If someone’s going to drag my ass in and out of stores, I want it to be you. I said it before and I’ll say it again … anything to be with you.”

The jealousy in your eyes when you think I’m screwing Riley—it’s my favorite appetizer. Watching you shank ball after ball today … it’s all so fucking perfect.” “Perfect?” I whisper, making a slow turn toward him. “Perfect,” he mouths, prowling toward me. “I’m not a game.” He grins. “Oh, Sophie … you’re the best game.” “We are never having—” “Yeah, we are.” He grabs my face and kisses me, obliterating every single protest on my lips.

“Crawl under my skin, Soph …” he whispers before brushing his lips over mine. “It will never be close enough.”

what just happened … it’s not what friends do. Not like that. It’s what lovers do.

If two people speak at the same time, nothing is heard. If two people listen at the same time, nothing is spoken.

“We are all one event away from losing. Losing our minds. A job. A loved one. A marriage. A dream. We are all one event away from losing ourselves. Stability and sanity are not human qualities. They are not genetic traits. They are a state of mind.

I can put on a brave face for you. I can hold your hand. I can be strong for you even on the days I’m not feeling all that strong myself.”

“I’m going to step up and be more so you never have to feel like less. I’m going to look at you like my friend, Sophie, the woman I admire for her ability to give freely, to love unconditionally.