She doesn’t know about the argument I’m having with myself, the differing opinions tumbling around inside my brain.How much I want her.How I know it’s not possible.
She doesn’t know that I’m falling under her spell.Because I haven’t told her.
Phoebe pulls a hand from inside the blankets and presses a warm palm along my cheek, smiling in earnest now.That smile of hers cuts me to the quick.It slices directly into my chest.
I’ve never once felt this much love in a woman’s touch.Phoebe Travis has more love in one of her hands than all the women I’ve ever known, from head to toe, combined.
“I’m sorry for causing you worry, Evander.And I’m sorry for asking you all those personal questions when you were stitching me up.”
“The whole situation was pretty personal.”
She giggles.“True.”
“How is your bottom?”
“It’s fine.”
“Damn right it’s fine.”
Her eyes widen.
Our gazes lock.I feel her thumb caress the side of my face as her surprise fades and her smile relaxes.
“You never have to apologize for asking me questions, Phoebe.”
My gaze drops to her lips.Don’t do it, dumbass.Don’t kiss her, you big dumb fuck.
“All right,” she says.“But I’d like to apologize in advance for something, just this once.”
“In advance of what?”
“This.”Her lashes lower as she sets her sights on my mouth, then brings her face close to mine.Her lips part.Her eyes close.Phoebe exhales lightly, brushing her lips across mine.It’s as soft as silk, a gentle exploration, another question.
I remain perfectly still, allowing her to choose what this is.How much she wants to give.And though the kiss is nothing but a delicate offering, genuine and cautious, it sends a thunderbolt of need straight into me.
Through my sternum, to my heart, and directly into Captain Blackbeard.
Phoebe’s mouth covers mine with tentative pressure.Her lips are velvet.Hot.And so far, it’s an innocent kiss, one that conveys nothing beyond affection.It’s a kiss we can both remember fondly, a pleasant memory.It doesn’t have to be more.
She slowly pulls away, then looks at me with a quizzical tip of her head.“I have a confession.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Yeah,” she says, pausing.“I’ve always wanted to know what your kiss feels like, Evander.Thank you for humoring me.”
“And what’s the verdict?”
The blanket falls away from her head and slips down over one silky shoulder.A damp curl skims against her throat.Phoebe is sensual and adorable in equal measure—a double whammy of desirability.I’m not sure how a dude’s supposed to protect himself from that kind of sorcery.
“It was the good stuff,” she says.“Thebeststuff.”
I laugh.“Technically, it’s not the first time you’ve kissed me.”
A tiny divot appears between her brows.“What do you mean?”
“Well…” I watch as comprehension spreads over her face.“That’s right—when I was trying to warm you up.You lifted your head and smacked one on me.”
Her lips part in shock.“I thought that was a dream!”
