“And just to be sure, we should go together.”
I, without losing the smile, looked into Jim’s blue eyes, piercing beyond the mask shielding them. “If we do that, I think the other rumors will no longer be rumors.”
“What if…” His broad chest puffed out as he inhaled. “What if they are no longer rumors?”
I leaned back in my chair, groping for the right words to say. “Well, Dad will be very happy.”
His perfect teeth flashed at me. “Maggie, I know I told you I was only looking for your friendship, and that was never a lie.”
“But?”
He swallowed. “Can I have some water, please?”
“Sure.” I went to the minibar behind me and grabbed a bottle. When I turned, he was standing before me. We were no more than an inch apart, and it made me gasp for breath. He was hot. Scorching hot.
His eyes sparked. “Some things sort of happen. You can never control them.” His gaze dipped to my lips. “I haven’t planned for this. I mean, I know I should have run the second I felt something different for you. The second I stood fully naked in front of your camera and all I thought about was whether you liked what you saw or not. The second I hoped you would. ”
My eyes traced the lines of his defined lips. “But you didn’t run.”
“I couldn’t,” he whispered.
“Jim…” Suddenly, the spark turned into a flare, and I felt his lips on mine. My eyes closed. My words swallowed. He tasted so fucking sweet. Too sweet like him.
No. Sorry, Daddy. I’d ruin him, destroy him with my darkness. Pull away. Pull away.I opened my eyes, drawing back.
His breaths trembled on my lips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
“Jim, I can’t do this.”
His fingertips caressed my temple. “Tell me this kiss made you feel nothing, and I’ll never bother you again.”
“I can’t say that.” My tongue licked my lips. “But I’m not right for you.”
“Would you let me be the judge of that?” His hands were on my waist now. His eyes held me in place. “Please.”
Both of my hands were on his chest, unconsciously. His shirt was unbuttoned to his stomach, and I wanted to see the rest of him. The day he stood fully naked in front of my camera, I did like what I saw. A lot. “Shit.”
He blinked, confused. “Shit?”
I laughed under my breath. “I swear a lot.”
He smiled, leaning in. “I’m aware.”
I felt my skin flush. “I’m dark and twisted.”
“Again, I’m aware.” His face moved closer to mine.
“I’m not over him.” The pitch of my voice went higher. “I might never be.”
He frowned as he stopped moving. “How will you know for sure if you don’t try? If you don’t give yourself a chance to move on?” His hand smoothed my hair. “Give me a chance, Maggie. It’s all I’m asking for.”
Our lips met again. This time he didn’t taste sweet. He tasted like fire.
Fuck. “No!” I pushed him back.
He stared at me, taken aback.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t have another Kyle.” I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the tight band of tension there. “I can’t use you or depend on you to get over Mike. You don’t wanna be my rebound, Jim. If I ever get over him, I have to do it on my own. Only then, we might have a chance for something real.”
