The laugh that shook his chest made me smile. He seemed to find my bluntness humorous rather than obnoxious as I’ve been told I am on several occasions.
‘I’m not ruling it out. But here it goes.’ He stood up straight and my body noticed the cold air that brushed over my skin where his hand had been. He lifted his fingers, ready to copy my movements and check off the list.
‘I meet a beautiful woman who’s not only funny but also has killer pool skills.’
‘Let me get that for you.’ I rose to my feet so our chests were once again only an inch apart and pushed his index finger down.
He smirked. ‘Then I subtly stare at her tits, appreciating everything about her, whilst trying to be a gentleman.’
I pushed his second finger halfway down. He frowned when I didn’t push it all the way. I shrugged. ‘You weren’t that subtle.’
He laughed. ‘Then, I wonder if I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole because I’ve met possibly the most interesting and beautiful woman in my life and I want nothing more than to get to know her, so I ask her out for dinner.’
My body sagged back against the pool table as I stared lamentably at his hand.
‘And usually, she says yes,’ he added, watching my face fall.
A sad smile pulled on my lips. ‘Usually.’Time stretched out between us. An undercurrent of emotion that made my skin itch and want to hike across this table to get away from the situation slid up my spine. ‘I don’t date,' I said firmly.
His gaze didn’t waver, but I saw the curiosity cross that handsome face. ‘Ever?’
‘Ever.’
‘And you don’t fancy reconsidering your stance anytime soon.’
‘Only for Chris Evans. However, he’s married now, so yeah, it’s not going to change.’ Usually, my evenings weren’t spent in this much conversation with a guy.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Fallon talking animatedly to Oliver Blake, who wore the same amused smile as his brother. Must be a family trait. For the moment she’d ceased glaring at me and focused all her glowering on him. She tucked a pink strand of hair behind her ear.
A calloused hand reached up, holding my chin between two fingers to pull my gaze back to him. Immediately, fresh desire pooled in his eyes as I drew my bottom lip into my mouth. George watched the movement with fascination.
The harsh set of his jaw as he scanned my face in that same expression of curiosity and wonder. My skin prickled with heat.
‘It’s a shame you’re not willing to bend your no one-night stand rule, because?—’
My mumbling was cut short when his mouth descended upon mine. All rational thought fled from my brain. His hands shot to my waist, slipping down and flirting dangerously close to my butt.
The scruff of his beard scraped against my chin. A moan caught in my throat. His tongue pressed against the seam of my lips and I melted in his hold. The scent of soil and fresh laundry filled my senses. I arched into his embrace, needing him closer. Needing to feel his body pressed harder against mine.
Jesus.His body was hard. Everywhere. Our kiss built to a furious pace, lips clashing together in a first kiss that wasn’t PG and definitely not suitable for a public place. Ourmingled moans and grunts as we both tried to satisfy our growing need echoed around us.
‘You uh…’ George pulled back, panting. ‘Sure about that date?’
‘Nope. Not in the slightest,’ I said, slipping my hand around his neck and pulling him back down for another kiss. The second his lips landed back on mine and his arms wrapped around my waist, hugging me impossibly tight against his chest, I had a feeling that no matter how long this man kissed me, it would never be enough.
As quickly as the kiss started, it stopped.
‘Relinquish my friend and go back to your brother.’ My best friend’s voice sounded beside us. Looking as dazed as I felt, George pulled back, eyes struggling to focus until he saw Fallon holding a straw like a sword in one hand, poking him firmly in the cheek. George cleared his throat, dropping his hold on me and glancing at my friend with an amused expression. He ran a hand down his beard, eyes locking with mine once more. A frisson of excitement and nerves clutched at my throat.
‘If you ever feel like changing that no dating rule, will you let me know?’ He lifted his right hand, extending his pinky. A boyish grin stretched on his gorgeous face.
Still drunk on the kiss, I exhaled a breathless laugh. ‘You want to pinky promise?’
‘It’s the only way to make a deal as an adult.’ He said, tone mock serious.
‘You might regret that.’
His head shook. ‘Pretty sure I won’t, sweetheart.’
