I turned to the driver to let him know I didn’t need his service anymore, and then turned to face Becca, debating about how to approach this. “I had to see you.”

“Come in. Is everything okay?”

Stepping inside, I did a quick glance around and listened for sounds that would indicate if her parents were home. “Everything is fine.” I knew I could fire away with my questions, since there was no sign of them. “Why didn’t you answer any of my phone calls or texts?” My voice wasn’t loud, but it expressed my hurt and anger.

Becca’s eyes flashed to the wooden floors. “I don’t know what you mean.” She tried to sound innocent, but I knew that tone all too well.

Standing in front of her, she gazed at me, her eyes bewildered and there was something in them that saddened me. Had I done this to our friendship? “Did I do something wrong?”

Before I had the chance to ask her another question, her eyes grew fierce and she spoke loudly. “You shouldn’t have come. My parents will be here soon. Besides, I’m leaving in couple of days. We can talk somewhere else. Are you here on a business trip or something? How did you get this address, anyway?” Becca was finally coming to her senses after the initial shock of seeing me.

Two could play at that game. Pressing my body forward, I challenged her back. “I’m not answering any of your questions until you answer mine first.”

“Take a hint,” she growled. In an effort to shove me, Becca placed her hand on my chest, but before she could move, I grabbed it. When she tried to yank it away, I wrapped my hands around her waist, and pulled her to my chest. Feeling her wet hair against my face cooled me down, but the need to have her was driving me crazy. I wanted to strip the robe off her and take her right there in the living room.

I don’t know how long we stood there, but I was enjoying having her in my arms. I was enjoying her so much that my hands had a mind of their own and started idly rubbing her back. Feeling her mold into my body created an overwhelming sensation, and I had forgotten where we were. That was the way it was with Becca. I was utterly lost in her. When I heard a light moan, I broke out of my daze.

“Becca, I need an answer,” I whispered. When she didn’t respond, I was pretty sure she was lost in my embrace. Wondering what she was thinking, I pulled her back enough to see her face. Her expression told me she wanted to say something, but was afraid. “It’s okay. Tell me how you feel.”

“I feel nothing,” she stammered and escaped my hold. Chasing after her, I passed the kitchen, the hallway and out onto a nice balcony. Becca was near the pool. “Matthew, I told you to go away. I don’t want to talk to you now. I’m busy. And my parents are on their way home.” Becca took a few steps away from me.

“I got that part,” I said out loud, but I was staying put. Now, I was getting aggravated. There was no way in hell I was going back home feeling like this. If she didn’t want me, then fine, but I could see it in her eyes that she did. The way she responded when I held her, I knew she wanted me too. “Damn it, Becca. I’m not leaving. In fact, I’m going to start taking off my clothes and let your parents see me naked in their pool.”

That got her attention. “Are you crazy?” she yelled. “I’ll call the cops.”

Brushing the thought off, I took off my shoes, socks and sweater while Becca stared at me. She seemed to be enjoying the view but I’m sure she was thinking I would stop.

“Okay, okay! Stop! I stopped returning your calls because I don’t want to be your friend anymore. We can’t be that close. How will it look when I start dating someone else and you want to hang out?”

Having Becca talk about dating other guys did not sit well with me. My blood pressure shot up and in my head, I just punched some imaginary guy in the face. “Friends can hang out.” I took a step closer to her when she retreated. Shivering, I tried to maintain my composure. I was beginning to wish I hadn’t taken off my sweater.

“I don’t think so. Not since we….” she paused. “Do you sleep with all your friends?”

“What are you talking about?”

“At the restaurant. The day I ran off telling you I had something important to do. Well, I saw you. I saw how you cuddled with that girl. You probably slept with her too. Actually, I’m pretty damn sure you did.”

Now we were getting to the truth. My Becca was jealous and I loved it. “Really? You saw her?”

“Yes, I did,” she said with conviction.

This time instead of retreating, she held her ground as I took a step toward her. Her confidence level was building and she was sure I was going to disappoint her. “You mean the brunette with the long hair, hazel eyes, about twenty-one.” Becca’s eyes grew wide, looking pissed off or hurt, I couldn’t tell. I continued. “And who happens to be my favorite cousin and happened to have been eating in the same restaurant?”

Becca looked totally stunned. “Your cousin?” She took a moment to digest the information I just threw at her. “It doesn’t matter. We need to stop. One of us will get hurt and it will probably be me.”

I didn’t let her talk anymore. Without thinking of rejection, I crushed my lips onto hers and held her tightly. It happened so fast, she had no idea that it was coming.

My body temperature shot up. God! She felt so good. Since Becca didn’t try to push me away, I wrung my hands through her hair. Devouring her lips and tongue with mine, I realized more than ever how much I really missed her. There were no words to describe how much.