“Shit,” I mumble, noticing the way his shoulders sag as he talks, wanting to hold him. I have to sit on my hands in case I do something stupid.
“Yeah. The dresses are amazing. I think Amber will love them—at least I hope she will—and if I’m lucky, they might also convince Nikki that I’m not all bad.”
Jealousy floods my bloodstream.That’swhat this is about? Trying to win his ex back?
“Right, okay,” I manage, reaching for my whiskey and taking a large gulp. “I didn’t realize you were trying to get back together with—”
“No.” His gaze flies to mine and he shakes his head firmly. “No, I donotwant to get back together with her. I just want her to let me see my daughter.”
“Oh.” The intensity of my relief surprises me. “But… couldn’t you take her to court? You have rights, as the father.”
His face crumples and he looks down at his hands. “I couldn’t do that to Amber, not after everything, not after I—” He cuts himself off. “I couldn’t put her in the middle. She doesn’t deserve that.”
I nod slowly, understanding. He’s feeling selfish, wanting to see Amber—like he doesn’t have a right, like it wouldn’t be good for her, too.
“Anyway.” He sniffs, forcing himself to sit straighter. “I can only hope that one day Nikki will come around, I guess.” He shrugs, like it’s no big deal, and when his eyes meet mine and he gives me a watery smile, I feel like I’ve been punched in the heart.
This time, I don’t hesitate. I push to my feet and stand in front of his stool, reaching over his shoulders to pull him close to me. His body relaxes as he circles his arms around my waist, resting his head against my chest.
“I’m so sorry, I had no idea. That sucks.” I hold him lightly, keeping my head up, just wanting to offer a little comfort. I can tell he’s hurting. This is about him.
But really, I’m kidding myself. I let my head drop, so that my nose is in his messy hair. I can smell the product he uses, I can smellhim, and as he parts his legs on the stool, drawing me into his body, I let him. I let him tighten his arms around me, let him hold me close.
“Yeah, it does suck,” he says on a sigh.
I sigh too, pressing my lips to his hair, aching to kiss him properly.
But I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t kiss him again, because if I do, I won’t stop.
“Can I ask you something?” Myles murmurs, his head still against my chest.
“Sure.”
“Why did you kiss me tonight?”
I swear, he’s got a sixth sense. But he’s right—whydidI kiss him tonight, when I’d sworn I wouldn’t kiss him at all? I cast my mind back to Claudia’s hallway, to the way he was being so sweet and understanding, the way he had my back when the others were being shit, the way his shirt fit him just right.
“I just… couldn’t not,” I say at last.
“Like, you felt as though you had to.”
“Yeah.”
He draws back, lifting his eyes to mine. “And what if I feel that way?” He’s tracing tiny circles on my back with his fingertip, his touch so light I can barely feel it. But it’s enough to make me dizzy.
“Are you feeling that way?”
His gaze falls to my mouth and he nods.
“Me too,” I whisper. I slide my hands up the back of his neck, over the short prickles of his closely-shaved hair, tilting his head back. I watch as his eyes soften with longing, as he parts his lips for me. My whole body is humming with anticipation as I finally lower my mouth to his.
Somehow, even though the thirst has been building in me all evening, I kiss him tentatively. My lips graze his, just testing the waters, seeing if it feels as good as last time.
And it does. Fuck, it does.
He sucks on my bottom lip, sliding his hands up and around my waist until his palms are flat against my back. I feel his tongue dip out, searching for mine, and with a moan I sink deeper into his mouth, finally giving in. The whole world tilts around us as we kiss, our bodies inching closer until we’re pressed against each other, our tongues merging, frantic with need. Heat builds between my legs, throbbing and urgent. I don’t care about all the reasons I have to stay away from him—I just want him naked, his skin pressed against mine, his arms tight around me.
I break the kiss, trying to catch my breath enough to tell him what I want.
