“Shelley?” I take a risk and lean in until my lips are next to her ear.
“Hmm?” She tilts her head, maybe subconsciously, exposing more of her neck, and I have no choice but to inhale. I don’t know the first thing about how to tell which flower it is, but her perfume smells fresh and floral like a damn bouquet.
“Are you getting sick of fighting this pull between us? Because I am,” I admit.
Her soft inhale is the only hint of surprise she offers before her tone shifts to a sultry tease. “So don’t.”
And there goes the last tiny fragment of my willpower. All the reasons we said we shouldn’t do this are still true. But I’m tired of pretending I’m strong enough to deny this.
“If you don’t want me to kiss you now, you need to tell me,” I repeat her words from the hotel, praying she doesn’t stop it like I did that night. I’ll get up now and walk away if she needs me to. It will be hard, but I’ll do it, if that’s what she wants.
Her face turns toward mine again, agonizingly slowly.
“I’ll never tell you not to kiss me, Jordan.”
That’s all I need to hear to close the final inch of space between us and pull her into me. One hand finds her waist while the other tangles in her hair, and I inhale her like she’s oxygen while our mouths explore, tentatively at first, then with more fervor until she’s tugging gently on my bottom lip with her teeth, fisting her hands in my shirt.
Still clinging tightly to the fabric, she pulls away hesitantly. Her eyes are closed when she starts to ask, “What about—”
“I was wrong,” I tell her quickly. “I’m sorry. About everything. I know it’s complicated, Shelley, but I should have put you first. Mike won’t like it, but you were right. He doesn’t get a say here. I’d really like to try—”
Her mouth is on mine again before I finish the thought. After a few more magical minutes, she sighs contentedly and pulls back just enough to look at me while she flattens her hand on my chest. “And here I thought my pocket cookies were going to be the sweetest part of tonight.”
I smile and put my hand over hers. “If you’re telling me I rank higher than those cookie bars, I’m taking it as the highest compliment.”
“You should. But we need to get back out there. They must be wondering where we are.”
“Okay. How do you want to play this?”
“I think we should keep it to ourselves for now. Tonight isn’t about us.”
I nod. As much as I’d love to claim her as mine in front of the world, I can understand Shelley wanting to take this slow and see where it goes.
“Yeah. That’s probably a good idea.” I squeeze her hand and steal one more kiss before I escort her back to the stands, where we sit inches apart, next to her parents, while I try to focus on the game and pretend I didn’t just sneak off to make out with their daughter.
The night sky is dark over the field, but my whole world is suddenly brighter.
Chapter 19
Shelley
"Stalking him much?” Maddy giggles as she brushes past me in the hall, where I’m waiting for Jordan to get out of the shower.
“I was going to show him the way to the kitchen,” I offer the lamest of all excuses.
“Right. Sure.” She gives me an exaggerated nod.
“He’s our guest. I’m trying to be nice.”
“Whatever you say.” She bounds down the stairs, calling back, “But if you miss breakfast while you stand there drooling, don’t expect me to save you any bacon.”
It was almost impossible to sit next to Jordan for the remainder of the game last night and act like nothing happened, but somehow, we managed. We snuck in one more goodnight kiss before bed, then we went to our separate rooms. I think my sisters might be starting to suspect something’s up, but at least my parents still seem to be blissfully in the dark about the turn things have taken between me and their house guest.
When Jordan emerges, my mouth goes dry as my eyes scan from the dark tee stretched across his shoulders up to his hazel eyes and damp curls.
“Sorry. Did you need to get in here?” He motions toward the doorway with his thumb.
“No. I thought I could finally take you to breakfast. I know this great little restaurant called My Parents’ Kitchen.There’s not even a bill for us to fight over.” I smile and he returns one of his own.
