I close my eyes for a split second and inhale his scent. It’s woodsy with a hint of sweet. He smells like a glass of fine bourbon that you sip while sitting next to a fire on a cool crisp night.
“Cat?” My eyes fly open and I see him staring right at me.
My cheeks flush –or maybe it’s the alcohol– and I say, “Hmm?”
Hayes gives me a crooked smile and boy does that not help my current situation.
“You look a little shaken up. Are you feeling okay? I heard there was some kind of summer cold goin’ ‘round.” He dabs at his shirt but doesn’t peel his eyes from their hold on mine.
“I’m fine, not sick. I just can’t believe they’re finally getting married. It certainly brings to light how very single I am.” I give him a self deprecating laugh and take the proffered napkin he holds out to me.
“Oh, you hush it now. I’m sure you have a line of men just waiting for you to smile in their direction. I know I’d stand in that line.” He winks and my body feels like it’s full of the little champagne bubbles that swirl in my glass.
“You’re funny, Hayes.” His hand freezes and he looks at me very confused.
“Why do you find that funny? You’re gorgeous, Cat. Not only that, you’re intelligent and witty and I know you have a huge heart. I’d be a lucky sonuvagun to have a woman like you.”
I blink my eyes, trying to fan away the building tears, and tell myself that I must be getting ready to start my period because why the hell is that making me cry. It could be the fact that my bed hasn’t been occupied by a warm body in months, and my poor little vibe is begging for a break.
“You’re so sweet, Hayes. Cami’s lucky to have such a great little brother-in-law.” I playfully pat his chest and he puts his hand over his heart.
“Ouch.Littlebrother? I’m only a few years younger than her, and onlytwoyears younger than you. I’m not a kid, Cat. I could definitely prove it.” He bites his lip and eyes me up and down.
I feel naked standing in front of all these people as he looks at me like a juicy steak. I fidget, growing a little uncomfortable but a lot hot and bothered. Lifting my glass to my lips I throw the last of my champagne back, the bubbles tickling my nose, and watch Hayes as he watches me.
Fuck it. What’s the worst that could happen? He says no and I go about my night, sad and lonely.
Gathering up all of my courage, I step closer to him and whisper, “Then prove it.”
A crooked grin crawls its way across his handsome face and he takes the glass right out of my hand. His chest grows with a deep inhale and his eyes turn to a panty dropping smolder.
“You’ve got thirty minutes to say goodnight to the guests. I’ll tell Cami and Vaughan you’ve had too much to drink and I’m taking you home.” I open my mouth to object and he leans in, his deep voice rumbling in my ear. “I hope you don’t mind not sleeping because I plan to prove it to you all night long.”
I gulp as his words travel through my body, hitting me right in the freaking hoohaa. And wouldn’t you know that greedy bitch starts weeping, thanking me for giving her some much needed action.
I spin away from him to find the girls and feel a quick sharp smack on my ass. I look over my shoulder to see Hayes watching me walk away, one eyebrow cocked and a sexy smirk on his face.
Oh, this is going to be fun.
2
HAYES
We fall into Cat’s house, struggling to get through the door without breaking our kiss. We were fairly quiet on the drive over, both of us a little nervous over what’s about to happen. But when she stepped to the door, punching in the code into the keypad, and I pushed her hair off her neck planting a light kiss, it was off to the races.
She spun in my arms, latched on to my mouth and my hands fell to her tight ass. We stood on her front stoop kissing passionately, before realizing it had been some minutes since we started. She fumbled with the door to get it open but once she did, I was quickly pushing us inside.
“Fuck, Cat. Do you know how long I’ve wanted you?” I mumble against her lips.
She pulls away and I instantly miss the feel of her plump lips pressed against mine. “What?”
“Cat…you have to know by now that I’ve been crushing on you for years.” She takes a few wobbly steps back, her eyes wide and bearing complete shock in them.
Her head moves slowly from side to side. “No. I don’t know that. I always thought you had a little crush on Cami.”
I huff out a laugh. “That was a little boy's first infatuation, but never real. She was my older brother’s pretty girlfriend and she paid attention to me. What ten year old wouldn’t like that? But you…you’ve been on my mind since I saw you singing in the high school choir. It was a Christmas concert and I went with Vaughan and Cami. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. You were stunning. Still are.”
Tears pool in her eyes and I watch her throat work to push down what looks like a ball of emotions. I reach, pushing a stray strand of hair off of her forehead, and get lost in those whiskey eyes. Her chest moves with a deep inhale and then she’s on me.
