I don’t know what the fuck is happening, but I blink, and when I open my eyes, I find his mouth a mere centimeter from mine.
“You’d definitely make it easy to want to stay,” I say, my lips brushing his.
Eyes fluttering shut, he breathes me in. “Fuck, I want to kiss you, but I also want to take this slow.”
I push up on my toes, slanting my mouth against his. “Why?”
“Because,” he says, those lips still caressing mine, “I’m the type of guy you need to get to know to love.”
Without pulling back, I laugh. “And you want me to love you?”
He nods. “I think I do.”
“Smooth, Camden Snow, you are so very smooth.”
Then because he hasn’t done it yet, I lick at his lips, taking my own taste.
Groaning, he clutches my hip with one hand. He uses the other to angle my jaw, holding my mouth in place. “What else? Tell me something else about you.”
“That’s not how you date.” Since he’s forced my mouth from his, I use the momentary reprieve to suck in a breath and get my head on straight. I’m supposed to be proving a point tonight, not falling for an unavailable man.
I don’t think anyone’s ever loved me enough to stay.
His words play on repeat in my head. Why is it always the broken ones who make me want to try?
I’m broken enough for the both of us. I don’t need a man to put back together.
“Like I said, I’ve never dated, so I guess I’m a bit inexperienced.” His blue eyes are full of heat. “You can teach me, though.”
“You didn’t say you didn’t date; you said no one has stayed.”
He shrugs. “Same thing, really.”
“No. If you don’t give people the opportunity to know you—which is the point of dating, by the way—then you can’t fault them for leaving.”
“You’re right. And I have no idea why we’re even talking about this. I promised I’d show you the surprise. Let’s do that.” He steps back, and the loss of his body heat hits me almost as violently as his emotional retreat.
Why does that bother me? Why do I care at all. Before I can regain control of my emotions, I’m hit with a bolt of pain straight in the chest.
Fortunately, Camden has already turned away, obviously determined to get inside, so he doesn’t notice my reaction.
In the warm hallway once more, he slides the glass door shut. Then he guides me down the hall toward what I assume is the basement.
As we pass the kitchen, I spot the girls, who are snacking, and wave.
Josie smirks, her chin lifted and her eyes full of glee. Addie’s mouth falls open in shock.
“Show’s about to start,” Camden says to the room full of hockey players and women who are probably here in hopes of bagging one of them, at least for the night.
I still haven’t seen Sienna, which is probably good. I don’t think I could flirt so openly with my boss in the vicinity.
A group of guys passes us and heads down the stairs. When the area clears, I survey my friends again. They seem far more interested in the cheese platter than the surprise on the floor below.
We are not the same. I love cheese like the next girl, sure, but like they say, curiosity killed the cat, and I am so damn curious. How egregious could a show be for this man to warn a group of grown women off?
He peers down at me. “Still with me?”
I smirk. “All night.”
