I hardly dare to breathe. “What is it?”
“Have you ever thought of me as Colin or as my actual self this whole time? You were dancing for me in there, weren’t you? What about when I FaceTimed you and you put on my coaching jacket? Were you thinking about me as the fake AHL player then?”
His stare is piercing, as if he’s able to see right through me. To see how much it affects me to be around him because it’s impossible not to fall more in love with him.
I look away. He doesn’t let me hide the truth from him, drawing my face back.
Cole’s stare bounces between my eyes and his hand moves from cupping my jaw to loosely grasping my neck. My pulse thrums and heat rushes through me. I’ve wanted to feel his touch like this for so long. I can't believe this is real and not a vivid fantasy pulled from my dreams.
“I’m done fighting. Done standing around while other men think they can put their hands on you.”
“Fighting what?”
My voice shakes when I force the question out, giving away how much I’m hoping I’m not imagining the taut band of tension between us stretched to its breaking point.
A muscle in his cheek twitches as he works his jaw.
“All of it, Evie. Every damn thing.” His fiery gaze drops to my mouth. “Wanting you every fucking minute of the day. Telling myself I shouldn’t cross this line more than I already have. Fucking needing you, baby.”
My stomach bottoms out. Is this happening? I’d pinch myself, but I can’t move.
“Cole.” His name is a strangled plea.
He closes his eyes for a moment, drawing me closer by his hold on my throat. “Tell me you’re tired of fighting it, too. I need to hear you admit it so I know I’m not the only one constantly going insane trying not to touch you and show you that you belong with me.”
“Yes. For so long. Please.”
The words are barely out before a groan of relief rumbles in his chest.
“Thankfuck.”
Then his mouth is on mine. It’s exactly what I wished his kiss was like at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Hot and persistent. Dizzying.
I’m drowning in him. He devours my mouth with unwavering intensity. His hands are everywhere—in my hair, cupping my face, dragging down my sides to hold me tight while we make out.
Drunken laughter from somewhere far off in the parking lot filters through the haze of my desire enough to make me tear my mouth from his. Right. We shouldn’t do this in the open.
We’re at the back of the lot. It’s darker, but that won’t provide much cover if anyone comes close.
“Someone could see,” I whisper.
He releases a rough exhale, scanning the area. “I can’t wait.” Rummaging in his pocket, he pulls out his keys and unlocks the Bronco. “Let’s get in the back. It’s roomier and the windows are tinted.”
An electric thrill shoots down my spine. He gives my ass a smack when I climb in, then he follows me and drags me on his lap. With some maneuvering, I straddle him, shuddering at the hard ridge of his erection grinding against me through his jeans.
“Oh, fu?—”
He grabs my nape and captures my mouth in another searing kiss before the curse leaves me. I rock my hips with his encouragement. He palms my ass, squeezing it with a groan when I suck on his tongue.
My clit throbs from the perfect friction and I toss my head back with a gasp, chasing my pleasure. A pleased rumble vibrates in his chest. He takes my hips and pulls me down harder on his lap while he kisses my bared throat down to my cleavage.
I seize when my core erupts with ripples of ecstasy.
“Look at you,” he croons. “I can’t wait to see you coming with my cock buried inside you, Evie. For-fucking-real this time.”
I melt into him, seeking another kiss. The urgency between us hasn’t ebbed. It builds back up within moments, both of us exploring what we couldn’t have before. I glide my palms down his chest, then push beneath his shirt to feel his skin.
If I only get to have this tonight, I want to brand it into my mind so I never forget.
