I couldn’t seem to just blow off that physical attraction as easily as I could before I’d gotten to know what kind of person she was or how sweet she could be.
It had also been easier before I’d held her as closely as I was holding her right now.
Before I’d inhaled her intoxicating scent and felt her curvy body against mine.
My cock had responded the moment I’d pulled her into my arms, and she’d melted against me like it was the most natural thing in the world for her to do.
I wanted Lauren Collier more than I’d ever wanted another female in my entire life.
But she was the one woman I could never have.
I was a short-term guy, and Lauren was a woman who deserved a lifetime of adoration.
I’d probably have to watch her date and marry someone in the future, but I’d be damned if it would be an asshole like Massey.
If she wanted to be friends, I’d be her friend. At least I could keep the losers away from her.
I was going to see her often if she followed through on letting me help her with her fitness goals.
I was determined to make her realize that she could take her pick when it came to men.
Lauren Collier never had to settle for mediocre or some asshole who wouldn’t treat her like she deserved to be treated.
“Are you okay?” Lauren asked in a concerned tone. “You got quiet.”
My gaze locked on her face again, which was probably a mistake.
Fuck!She was so damn beautiful, and I could barely stop myself from lowering my head and tasting those gorgeous, plump lips of hers.
I could think of quite a few other places I’d like to see those lips, but I just couldn’t let my mind go there.
“I’m good,” I answered, not wanting to worry her.
Our eyes met and our gazes held.
“Cole,” she said breathlessly, like she needed me as much as I needed her right now.
Fucking hell!
Now I was imagining shit that wasn’t even remotely true.
I gripped her hips tightly and ground my teeth to resist the urge to pull her against my aching cock.
She doesn’t want me.
She doesn’t need me.
She doesn’t want me to fuck her.
Thatfuck-mevoice I’d thought I’d heard was completely my imagination.
I tore my gaze away from her face. “I think we should probably get back to the table,” I said in a guttural voice.
I needed to put some distance between the two of us.
I saw a flash of disappointment in her expressive blue eyes that looked very, very real to me.
I made myself ignore that, too.
