Neither had trying to make Avery jealous. Playing that game didn’t feel right. It wasn’t her. It wasn’t them. They were wit and charm, snappy comebacks and sexual innuendo.
Avery pulled into the parking lot of an outdoor mall. As soon as he killed the engine, she was out of the car. If she didn’t think it was rude to ditch Lincoln, she be on the first rideshare home.
Before Jo could take two steps, Avery was in front of her, trapping her between his car and another. She glanced past him. “Lincoln’s waiting.”
The shock of strong hands gripped her just above the elbows and backed her against the side of the car. His hips pinned her to the cold metal. “He can fucking wait.”
Out of instinct, she flattened her hand on his chest inside his coat, ready to push him away. Who the fuck did he think he was? Manhandling her like that?
But his intoxicating scent stole into her mind like a drug, and those dark smoldering eyes reminded her that this was exactly what she wanted, what she’d come to instigate.
One hand cupped the side of her neck, and his thumb traced her jaw. “I like the dress.”
Jo heard the simple statement for what it was, but she let it hang between them for another moment, not quite ready to let him off the hook but not wanting to squash his apology either.
“I wore it for you.” God, she sounded out of breath, weak, pathetic, but for this, for another taste of Avery Fucking Preston, she’d sacrifice her pride.
“Why?”
The detonation of my virginity. Multiple orgasms. No attachments.
She tilted her chin higher. “I’ve forgotten now.”
His other hand joined the first, framing her face, then sliding into her hair. “Should I remind you?”
“You can try.”
His rumbling chuckle vibrated against her lips as he took them, softly, slowly. His tongue glazed the seam of her mouth, an intimate invasion of mind and body, and she opened for him, silently inviting him to take more, anything he desired.
Leaning deeper into her, he groaned and took the kiss to another level. Every rasp of his tongue against hers sent a fiery pulse to her clit, awakening another one in the heart of her core.
Too soon, he eased away, nipping at her bottom lip then resting his forehead on hers. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to taste you again after yesterday.” He lifted his head. “Are we good?”
Jo nodded through the smoky haze left behind by his kiss.
A sexy grin slid into place and gave one last tug at her belly as he stepped back and dropped his hands to his sides. “Does that mean I get past second base today?”
Trying not to melt against his car, she snorted. “Right now, you’re still in the penalty box for acting like a dick.”
“Batter’s box. Penalty box is hockey.”
“Whatever.” She pushed off the car and started across the lot, still a little unsteady. Fuck, if he could get her that hot with a kiss, sex with him would likely burn her alive.
Snagging her hand, he pulled her closer. “So, what was your plan with the dress? Were you gonna torture me all day?”
“Something like that.”
“Why?
“Isn’t it obvious?” Jo glanced another row over, where Lincoln stood waiting by the door of the empty unit, his phone to his ear.
“Yeah, but why’d you change your mind. I mean, you only said you wanted more bases, not the reason why.”
“Because you’re hot and I want someone who knows what he’s doing.”
“As opposed to Murdick?”
“You’rea dick.”
