I cup her chin and drag my thumb over her bottom lip. “Yeah. When life tests your priorities, sending you temptation to abandon your carefully curated rules.”
Her eyes move down to my mouth. “I—I know the feeling.”
I watch her tongue dart out to wet her lips before I lift my gaze back to hers. “Vienna…”
“Yeah?”
My body starts leaning forward, slowly, while fantasizing about what this woman’s lips would feel like against mine. Her lashes start to flutter close, as if she’s anticipating the kiss. My pulse starts to pound in my ears. And when I’m less than an inch from her mouth, so close to finally tasting temptation, a metaphorical bucket of water is dropped on our moment, dousing the flames burning between us.
“You ready to leave?” Elliot’s voice penetrates through the haze clouding my rational thoughts.
Vienna practically jumps from her spot against the pool table, brushing her hair out from behind her ears. “I, uh…need to use the restroom,” she announces before taking off in that direction.
I scowl at my friend. “Jesus, Elliot.”
He holds both hands up in the air. “Sorry. Was I interrupting something?”
“Did it fucking look like it?” I snap.
He arches a brow. “Easy, Rho. I didn’t realize you were intent on taking the night further with that one.”
“I…”
Was that my intention?
Hell, I know for a fact that I wouldn’t have let things get too far. But a kiss? The feel and taste of Vienna’s lips on mine?
Yeah, I definitely wanted that.
“I wasn’t. But there wassomethingthere, and you just fucking barged over here—”
“My bad,” he says, cutting me off. “Fine. I can order another drink if you have some unfinished business…”
My eyes dart over to the bathroom, waiting for Vienna to reappear while I war with my decision.
Casual hookups aren’t my thing, but I’m intrigued by this woman like I haven’t experienced in years.
Getting her phone number wouldn’t hurt anything, right?
I just know that if I don’t, I’m always going to wonder ‘what if.’
“I’ll meet you over at the bar,” I mutter, jerking my head in that direction.
“Don’t take forever,” he grumbles as he saunters off.
That’s the funny thing about time, though. Sometimes it passes in a blur, other times it stretches on endlessly—especially when you’re waiting for someone who never returns.
Chapter 3
Rhonan
One Week Later
Chasing Dogs & The Shock of My Life
“Good morning.” Joanne’s voice carries through the house as I walk past her into the kitchen, desperately in search of coffee. I didn’t get home from work until after one in the morning, but I still have to look alive for Ellis’s career day today.
My only response is a grunt as I take a mug from the cupboard and pour in the sweet nectar of life.
