He takes a step back. “Wow.Doomed to failCome on, Iris. That seems a little dramatic.”
My mouth curls into a grin. “But seriously, it’s not like this can ever turn into anything, is it?”
“You could make that case for any relationship. Maybe after spending some time together, we’ll realize this chemistry is… not what we thought it was. Or that we don’t want to pursue it. But to give up before we’ve even explored our connection…” He shakes his head. “That feels like the easy route. The safe thing to do.”
He steps toward me again. I know it’s useless to keep protesting. Despite knowing that I’m likely to end up hurt—or simply wanting more than I can have—I can’t say no to him.
I don’t want to.
His fingers slide down my arm and my entire body shivers at his touch. Just the memory of his kiss in New York has me squeezing my thighs together and squirming. He grins as if he knows exactly what he’s doing to me, exactly what I’m thinking about.
Him.
More of him.
All of him.
FOURTEEN
Jack
I’ve always known I was spoiled. I’ve never wanted for anything materially. I’ve been successful academically and in business.
But right now, body to body with Iris, I feel like I might just be the luckiest man alive.
How did I end up meeting this woman in the first place, let alone losing her and then finding her again? I can’t help but think Iris and I are fated. I’m too cynical to believe in things like destiny. I’m used to scoffing at my friends as one by one they told me they’ve met the woman they’remeant to bewith. I certainly don’t believe in fate.
Except I’m in Star Falls now.
And I think it’s turned me into a believer.
She sighs, and the movement of her body makes me groan. I dip my head and sweep my lips over hers. I’ve waited so long for this moment. I’ve wanted it so badly that I’m concerned that now that I’m touching Iris, I might combust. She might be too much for me to handle.
“You smell the same,” she whispers as I drop a kiss at the edge of her jaw.
Her hands slide tentatively over my shoulders. Her touch feels so good, I go dizzy and the room sways for a second. I pull in a breath and try to steady myself.
“You smell like heaven.”
She smiles against my mouth as I press my lips to hers. We slide together perfectly, like we’re used to kissing each other, like we’ve been kissing for the last decade, like we’re made for kissing each other.
I slide my tongue into her mouth and the huff of breath she lets out travels straight to my balls. If I hadn’t been hard the moment I touched her, that small sigh of air would have done it.
I deepen our kiss and she pushes her fingers into my hair. Her hands on me feel so perfect. And I feel like the luckiest guy on earth.
My hands cup her ass, and she writhes against them, like she wants more.
She keeps telling me that being together is impossible, but anything feels possible right now. Her fingers leave my hair and push down my shirt front, her hands shaking, trying to find the buttons.
For a second I want to stop her, ask her if she’s sure, but I know it’s useless. I don’t have the strength to resist this woman. I don’t want to resist her. I want as much of her as she’ll give me.
Her hands press against my hot skin and it’s blissful. I break our kiss with my moan.
“Jack,” she says. “You feel as good as I knew you would.” She pulls my shirt from my pants.
“You thought about this?” I ask.
She pauses and narrows her eyes. “I haven’t thought about anything but you since we met.”
