It’s soft at first. Tender. The kind of kiss youneed.
Then his hand slides up into my hair, his other arm tightening around my waist, and suddenly we’re not dancing anymore—we’reclinging.
Breathing into each other. Moving in sync.
His tongue brushes mine, slow and teasing, and I make a noise I don’t even recognize. Desperate. Greedy.
He groans against my lips like I’m ruining him for everyone else.
He’s just as drunk on this kiss as I am.
His hand still fists gently in my hair, angling my face to fit against his like we’re puzzle pieces that finallyclick. The world narrows—no music, no laughter, no guests swirling around us.
Just him.
Me.
He whispers “Fuck” under his breath, thumb brushing over the curve of my cheek tenderly even as his mouth claims mine in the most wicked way.
I’ve never wanted anyone more in my entire life.
Is this what lov—
No.
Can’t be.
Too soon.
Too fast.
The kiss sinks deep into my bones ... steals the air from my lungs ... leaves me gripping the front of his shirt with everything I have. He kisses me like I’m the only girl in the world. Like this is a competition and I’m the grand prize.
When we part, we’re still swaying—his arms tight around my waist, my head tucked into the crook of his neck.
“I don’t want this night to end,” I whisper, meaning every single word.
He presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Then it won’t.”
Chapter 16
Maverick
I have no idea how we get back to the cottage.
We stumble through the woods, giggling like teenagers, tripping over roots and each other. She trips once, curses, and I catch her—then keep her, hoisting her into my arms like some overzealous drunk groom wanting to carry her over a threshold.
Horny as fuck and twice as idiotic ...
“Don’t drop me,” she warns, arms around my neck, grinning. “Don’t fall.”
“I’ve already fallen,” I say to the universe, boldly and without hesitating. “I could carry you around forever.”
In fact—I might! She’s light. And warm. Andeverything.
“I should carry you across the threshold,” I slur, starting toward the cottage.
“You should carry me to the lake. We can stargaze,” she says, smirking against my throat. “That’s what the hot people do.”
