Deciding to enjoy whatever the night brings, for as long as it lasts, I can’t help but press my hand a little tighter into her lower back. Holding this beautiful firecracker in my arms is intoxicating. I don’t even consider how desperate I’m coming off when I lean down andbury my face in her hair, swaying back and forth as Michael Bublé belts out the lyrics. It isn’t a slow song. The chorus practically demands that I whirl her around on the dancefloor. But I can’t help myself. The desire to be close to her is making me come unglued.
As the tune comes to an end, I cautiously reach for her hand. Lowering my volume so only she can hear me, “Walk with me?”
She glances up, her flushed skin is rosy under the moonlight. Hell. It’s way too easy to get lost in the way she’s looking at me, those long dark lashes blinking against her shimmering pools of green. “Yes. I’d like that.”
I lead her toward a large tree in the distance, hoping to steal her away for a few uninterrupted moments. The feel of her soft hand in mine is so natural.
Fuck, what is happening to me?
Once there, Char leans her back against the old oak and peers up at me. The sight of her vivacious smile has me floating on cloud nine. My heart is banging against my sternum a million miles a minute.It’s official. I’ve turned into a sixteen-year-old girl.
I trail my fingertips over the soft skin of her cheek as I drown in her magnificent eyes. “Is this okay?”
She lets out a little gasp, and I nearly retreat a step. “More than okay,” she stammers, gripping her fingers firmly into my hips. “Thank you for asking.” The gold flecks in her irises are much more prominent under a star-filled sky than the bright Edison bulbs over the tables and dancefloor.
“God, you’re beautiful,” I exhale.
She beams up at me. Our faces are so close. I’m dying to kiss her. Normally, I wouldn’t hesitate. Just accept my lumps if the girl pulled away, not interested. Yet somehow this moment feels much bigger. And admittedly it is. I’d be more than a little crushed if she rejected my advances. Not because my pride would be hurt. The very idea this connection with her might be one-sided feels unfeasible.
But, hell. If anything was going to have me boarding the no-relationship train where I belong, it would be that crushing blow.
As if she can sense my hesitation, Char leans forward and drapesher arms around my neck. Her warm gaze feels like a soft caress. Her body moves closer to mine, her soft curves molding into the contours of my solid planes as if we’ve done this dance before.
I wrap my large hands around her slim waist. “Come here,” I breathe, pulling her into me before crushing my mouth over hers.
And, fuck, I’m a goner.
Intoxicated by the taste of her, I angle my face to deepen the kiss. A cacophony of softness, warm bourbon, and sweet cherries dances on my tongue. Everything about this feels predestined. As if all of the shitty moments in my life have led me here. Kissing this phenomenal creature under the starlight.
There’s no sense fighting it. I want this woman. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Does she feel it too? The undeniable chemistry? The very air around us seems electrified, as if a summer storm is charged overhead.
I could invite her back to my place, but there’s no hiding my financial status once she sees mytricked-out mountain lodge,as Trevor calls it. And whether we have an insane spark radiating between us or not, one look at my abode and the usual questions tend to follow.
Wow. This is your house?How on earth do you have a place like this on a firefighter’s salary?Did you win the lottery or something? Oh, do you have any cool vacation homes we can go to?I’ve always wanted to go to Boca or Laguna Beach.
I’ve made that mistake enough times. Bringing home some shallow harpies with dollar signs in their eyes.Nope. Not going there again.Even if I have the distinct feeling this mysterious beauty is different.
As if she’s read my mind, she peers up at me. “Do you want to come back to my room?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
DAVE
Her wordspractically float on an exhale.
Holy hell. Did I really hear that right?
Looking down at her stunning porcelain skin and blush-stained cheeks, I nearly melt. This woman is utter perfection. How had a wedding I’d been dreading brought me to this moment in time?“Why, madam. I don’t even know your full name.” I tease. I need to keep this playful, or I’m going to scare the crap out of her when I start confessing what she’s done to me.
Hell,I’mscaring the crap out ofme.
As if lowering a mask into place, her facial expression abruptly changes. Her lips flatten into a thin line, and the twinkle is now absent from her previously luminous depths. She retreats a step. It’s only a few inches, but feels as if she’s suddenly dug a chasm between us. “No last names. It’s only one night. I can’t do the long-distance thing.” Her eyes fall to the ground. “My life is complicated enough.”
With any other woman, I’d count my blessings for the reassurance this was only one night. So why do her words feel so damn unsettling? The absolute last thing I want is an impossible relationship. And there’s no doubt that’s what it would be. Long distance or otherwise. She’s making this easy for me. Simply enjoy her while she’s here.
Brushing a wayward lock of hair behind her ear, I answer, “Yes. I agree. And I’d very much love to join you.” There’s no way I want this night to end a moment sooner than it has to. I hope my eagerness doesn’t have me coming across like a total perv. I mean, you’d think I’d just won the lottery. Regardless of my internal emotionalwhiplash, I can’t wipe the grin off of my face. When have I ever been this painfully awkward around a woman? “Don’t worry. It’ll be our little secret.” Char instantly stiffens in my arms. Shit, what did I say? Hell. Maybe Iamcoming off pervy.
Face it. You have no game, dickwad.
