“Look closer.”
Her thumb traces the outline of a pair of skates with a ribbon threaded through them. It’s the same color, the same pattern as the one she was wearing the night we were together, and her gasp is a dagger to my chest.
“Brody.” She blinks up at me with long lashes and brings her mouth to my arm. She kisses the small piece of artwork, and my body is electrified with long-lost pleasure. “Is that my ribbon?”
“Nothing I’ve ever done has been without a purpose.” My voice is hoarse. My heart is thumping so loudly, I’m surprised she can’t hear it. How pathetic would it make me if I asked her to kiss the tattoo again. “I torture myself by spending time with you. I know nothing can come out of it, but I can’t stay away. Not anymore.”
Hannah grabs my shirt. She tugs me toward her, not stopping until our bodies are flush together. Her mouth is inches away from mine, and I haven’t breathed in what feels like years.
Fuck.
How often have I thought about her mouth and the things I would do it if given the chance? How badly have I wanted to kiss her during one of our sessions, just so I could taste her again? How long have I felt like I’ve been searching for the sun, only for it to be right in front of me the whole time?
“Kiss me,” she says, a challenge behind it.
“No.”
“Brody.” Hannah puts her fingers under my chin, turning my face until her palm rests on my cheek. “Kiss me.”
“I can’t.” I try to swallow, but my throat is on fire. “I won’t be able to stop if I do.”
“Stopping is the last thing I want you to do.”
A million different ways our conversation could have gone, and this right here—with her stroking my jaw, with her asking for the thing I’ve wanted to do formonthsbut didn’t think I could—is the biggest fucking surprise.
“Are you sure?” I rest my forehead against hers. It’s the last bit of my sanity telling me to slow down. To make sure we’re on the same page, because once this door opens, there’s no goingback. Not for a second time. “My self-control is dwindling by the fucking second, but I can walk away.”
“You did that once.” Her fingers trail down my chest, palm splaying out across my stomach. Her thumb brushes along the waistband of my slacks, teasing. “And look how it turned out.”
“Horribly,” I croak. “You need to be the one to do it, Hannah. So I know?—”
“What was it you said?” she murmurs, her exhale tickling my skin. “Fuck it, right?”
Her lips are soft and sweet on mine, but there’s a roughness to the way she kisses. Her hands work up to my hair, threading through the stands and giving a sharp tug that almost makes my knees buckle. I cup the back of her head so she doesn’t hurt herself, a soft moan tumbling from her when I rock my hips, wanting her to feel what she does to me.
“More.” She untucks my shirt from my pants. I let my jacket fall to the ground and bump her ear with my nose. “Please, Brody.”
“I love it when you beg.” I lick a hot swipe up the line of her throat, laughing when she squirms. “It’s nice to be in control around you for once in my fucking life.”
“Do you want me to get on my knees?” She touches my belt, and I see stars. “Because I will.”
“Not here. Not where someone can see.” I kiss her collarbone, glad when she pulls on my hair again. “And not because I’m embarrassed of you, but because I’m selfish, sweetheart. What’s mine is mine, and I don’t want anyone else to see what they can’t have.”
“Your place or mine?” Hannah ghosts her fingers down the front of my pants. Her knuckles tease my cock through the fabric, and I have to hold back a groan. “Preferably soon, please.”
“Mine. Liv is with her mom for the weekend.” I have to shift away from her and scrub a hand over my face to make this decision. “But I have to give a speech before I leave.”
“You have to go out there and talk to people again?” Her eyes travel to the hard dick I’m supporting, and I can’t help but burst out laughing when she gives me a proud grin. “I wish you all the best.”
“Think I need a second before I go out there.” I tuck in my shirt and roll my sleeve back down. Shucking on my jacket, I hold out my arms. “How do I look?”
“Unbelievably hot and like you can’t wait to be thoroughly fucked. Except…” She licks her thumb and touches the corner of my mouth. “There. No lipstick that will give you away.”
“Hey.” I cup her cheeks. “Just give me a little time. I’m not leaving you. Not again.”
“I know.” Hannah smiles, and all feels right in the world. “I’m not big on second chances, but I have a feeling you’re not going to let me down.”
With a kiss to each of her knuckles, I move away and find my way back into the gala. No one notices my absence, and I charm the fuck out of everyone I’m introduced to over the next hour. I pose for photos. I sign more autographs. I give advice to a season ticket holder’s daughter who wants to play hockey at a higher level, but is afraid of the kickback from the boys on her small club team who say she’s not good enough.
