“It wasn’t just because you’re beautiful,” he said.
My heart was racing a mile a minute. “What?”
“It’s because you make people feel like they know you. Or could know you. There isn’t an ounce of judgment in your voice when you talk to people.”
“You’ve told me the opposite.”
“Because it’s always been the opposite for me.” He pressed his hand against my cheek, not needing to pretend he was brushing away a twist because my hair was pulled back.
“Only because you’ve always been so…” I couldn’t find the right word. I used to have a million and one words to describe David, but all of them seem unfair and unfounded. Maybe some of those words fit still, but he was so much more.
“So what?” He was close enough to brush his nose againstmine. His breath was warm and smelled of peppermint. I parted my lips, ready to respond with words I didn’t yet have.
“You.”
“And that’s a bad thing.”
I shook my head. “Not all the time. Not anymore.”
“Yara?” he whispered, and I nodded, knowing the million and one words he had for me didn’t quite fit anymore. Understanding we didn’t need to find the word for us if we could experience the feeling instead.
He pressed his lips against mine, and like the other times, the world outside faded. This kiss wasn’t as hesitant or confused as our others. Not on his end anyway. David knew what he wanted, coaxing my lips apart, gazing his tongue against mine.
Every one of my nerve-endings screamed for him. Begged me to get closer, kiss harder, give more.
David backed me up onto the side of his car. My spine pressed against the cold window. He tugged my thigh up around his waist. The hardness between us made me moan into his mouth. And the sound of my response to his arousal made David reply with equal desperation.
“Thank you for tonight,” he whispered against my lips when we split for a breath. “For being here with me. For being mine.”
“I did it for the dare,” I reminded him with a smile and another kiss.
He shook his head. “Not all of it.”
“How do you know that?”
“I know you.” He pressed himself against me, applying the pressure I craved. It’d been forever since I had done this with someone, so every sensation felt new. I’d forgotten what it was like to breathe in sync. Wanting someone so badly both soothed my soul and set me on fire like no other.
“I’m going to have to keep reminding Rory you’re mine,” he said. I thought it was supposed to be a question, but I couldn’t really focus on words when he slipped his hand underneath my butt, pressing me firmly against him. I rocked against him, trying to resolve my growing desire.
David’s eyes darkened. “Hart, too.”
“Is that what you want?” I smiled against his lips.
“It’s what I need.” His mouth was on mine again, hot and hungry. And when I needed a break for air, he continued, his lips painting fire against my jaw and neck. Teeth grazing my pulse and tongue, making the sting all better.
“What about you?” David asked, desperation making his voice low. “Do you want me to make sure I’m the only name on your lips every time you moan? Or do you want to be there to be others?”
“You’d share?” I asked, surprised.
“Not happily.” He shook his head. “But for you, I’d try. For you, I’d take anything you offered. No matter how small. You are more than I ever thought I deserved.”
“You can’t be serious.” I tried to smile, but it didn’t quite work. The longing in his voice was the stuff of daydreams. David would never lay himself bare to anyone. I never for a second believed he’d do as much for me. But hell, it was a lovely fantasy.
Before David could respond, the car behind me beeped. I jumped, startled, and confused about how his doors locked when he didn’t have the key in hand. My answer came in the form of Westbrooke’s offensive coordinator, Lukas. I’d seen him once or twice before. He’d been the one to let me in the arena when David needed his change of water bottles.
“Sir.” David moved back so I could step away from the car that was clearly not his.
“David.” Lukas offered him a smile and me an unimpressed once-over. “Nice work in there tonight. A couple of guys were asking about you. Things are looking bright.”
