“Or…” she said, catching her lower lip between her teeth.
With his hand on the keychain dangling from the ignition, Leo glanced over his shoulder at her.
“You could warm me up.”Oh dear God, what was she saying?Her cheeks burned. Was the whiskey already getting to her? She knew she became more forward once she had a little alcohol in her, but this was Leo. “You know, body heat and all. And so we don’t run out of gas.”
“Right, body heat. Guess I hadn’t thought of that.” He dropped his hand from the key, eyes narrowed. “But…we should probably set some ground rules, don’t you think?”
“Oh for sure, most definitely.”
“If we do this, it’s strictly to stay warm. No funny business.” He raised a brow.
“Why would there be? We can’t stand each other, remember?”
“Right.”
He flipped off the overhead light. “Don’t want to kill the battery.”
But it was obvious to her, he was stalling.
Leo fumbled at first, uncertain where to put his hands, so she helped him out by taking his arm and tucking herself under it, nuzzling into his chest. “See, strictly warmth. No funny business.”
“Good.” He exhaled. “Better?”
“Much.”
Leo’s chest felt firm against her face. How much had his body changed since they were teenagers? Imagining the solid pecs beneath his shirt piqued her curiosity.
Back then, Leo had already been mostly filled out with muscle. He played as centerman on their high school’s hockey team. He was good at it too. So good, he could’ve gone pro. Scouts from colleges from all over the country were coming to his games to watch him play when he was only a sophomore.
It had been the first time Leo allowed himself to dream about the possibility of leaving Colorado. After sneaking out of her bedroom window and climbing into his, the two of them would talk about what college team he’d play for. What pro team he could end up on. Where she could go to write. What magazine or newspaper would hire her. Where the two could buy a home and start a family. Somewhere with picturesque scenery so Leo could still dabble in his photography.
But then his mom got sick. And all his dreams—their dreams—disintegrated. He felt he had no choice but to accept the full-ride scholarship and play for the Denver Pioneers at University of Denver so he could stay close to home. Isabella had to make an impossible choice, to give up on her dreams as well and stay in Colorado with him or go to Ithaca College in New York. She’d chosen New York, and nothing had been the same since.
She and Leo sat frozen for several minutes, neither saying a word. But what words theyweren’tsaying rang loud and clear anyway. The sexual tension was as thick as smoke. Isabella dared a move. She ran her hand up his torso to rest on his chest. He tensed, but she could feel his heart racing beneath her palm. The intensity of her desire for him was so shocking and at the same time made complete sense. He was familiar. He was home.
Her stomach tightened, and she felt like her body may go into convulsions if he didn’t kiss her soon. It was a stupid thought. Why would he kiss her? He hated her.
“Hey, Leo?”
“Hmm?” He ran his chin over the top of her head, sending goosebumps dancing over her skin.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“About what?” His question came out breathy, or maybe it only sounded that way to her ears.
“If we don’t want to freeze to death together…” She hesitated. Whatwasshe thinking? She was usually more subtle than this. But not only was she freezing—this was Leo. And she had no doubt in her mind, as insane as it was, and even though the timing could not possibly be worse, she wanted him. “Maybe we need to do everything in our power to stay warm. You know, so we don’t die?”
Leo stiffened, jerking his head back to look down at her.
She peered up at him, biting her lip.
“You do realize this is just the whiskey talking, right?” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Jeez, alcohol still makes you frisky.”
He knew her too well.
She ran her hand down his stomach, and he caught her wrist, gently though. “Izzy. Come on.”
“You don’t want to die, right?” She knew she sounded utterly ridiculous, but she also knew she was getting to him. She loved that she somehow still had this effect on him, even after all this time.
