Page 65 of The Do-Over Girl

“You think you’re treating me right, I suppose?”

I arch an eyebrow. “You’re here, aren’t you?”

“Yes. You’re wining and dining me tonight. How can I go wrong?”

“No wine. We’re at a brewery, for God’s sake.”

She laughs again. “I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much, and we haven’t even started dinner.

“It’s me. I make you giddy.”

She leans close and puts a hand to my face. It’s soft and warm, and she caresses my jawline, then runs her fingers over my lips. It takes all my willpower not to take her finger and suck it in my mouth and then drag her from this place.

But I don’t. First, because I’m fucking hungry. I haven’t eaten all day. But second, and likely more importantly in the big scheme of things, because I want to send her a message that she means more to me than a toss in the hay, that I want more from her than to warm my bed every night. That…hell… I don’t even know. That’s why I’m letting my actions speak for me because I don’t know what the hell to say, don’t know what words describe how we are, what she is to me.

We order beers and seafood. I eat half her scallops and all of my lobster. She watches me like I’m the most fascinating person in the world, and my dick starts acting up, wanting in on the action.

“How are your parents?” she asks when we get around to talking about the people we know from town who’ve stayed and those who’ve moved away.

“They love Florida. I visit them when I have a chance. They usually come up for a couple of games each season—or they used to.” Acknowledging the change in my life from hockey player to not playing hockey anymore should kick my gut, but it doesn’t because she reaches her hand out and covers mine. It’s one of my favorite gestures of hers, and I never realized it before.

I meet her gaze. “I’m sorry about your mom. I know you were close. It must have been tough losing her.”

She nods. “Still is. She was my rock, my shining example for my whole life, growing up.” She glances out the window at the dark, starlit sky and the lights bouncing off the water. “Of course, she could only do so much to make up for me growing up without a father. You know, I always felt like an outsider, like I had to work extra hard to fit in.”

“I know. But you did, Kali. Everyone loved you.” I loved you. I’m too chicken shit to admit it, even to myself, let alone out loud to her. Maybe I’m not sure where my heart is right now—aside from in my throat.

“Thank you. I was so insecure then. I had so much to prove. And you—I always thought you had everything.”

I snort a laugh, losing the lump of emotions in my throat. “Not even close. I had big dreams—and big talent and expectations. But the more you have, the more afraid you are of losing it. I was always afraid I would fall short of everyone’s expectations. I was obsessed with keeping my focus, especially when I went away to college. Without you, I…I lost something, part of my identity, my support, so I doubled down on working hard at only school and hockey. No distractions.”

“Well, you made it. And now, here we are.” She looks around, everywhere but at me.

“Kali, I regret losing you back then. I always have.”

“Me, too,” she whispers.

“Let’s get out of here.

* * *

When we get backto the inn, it’s barely eleven p.m., but the place is quiet and dark, thank fuck. I lead her up the stairs quietly and take her to my room. We didn’t discuss it, but we were thinking the same thing without needing to say a word. The way we used to be.

I close the door, and she moves to the bed, undressing as she goes. I don’t stop her or slow her down with a kiss because as much as I want to, I’m riveted by her, watching her clothes disappear to reveal her skin glistening in the moonlight, her soft curves, the sensual movements, and the way she looks at me, with the hunger of a woman who wants to eat me alive.

I’m fucking happy to be her next meal, her last meal, and every meal in between.

“Well?” she says, lying on my bed, naked, her legs spread and her hands running up and down her body, taunting me, paralyzing me with need. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

I tear off my clothes—almost literally in my haste—tossing them to the floor as I stalk to the bed. Dropping my boxers as I reach the end of the bed, I feel her eyes on me, on my cock as it bounces free. I stand there next to the bed, staring down at her, taking in the vision, letting it work like magic, filling me with pleasure, more than I can hold.

Then I lean down, bracing my hands on the bed on either side of her, and climb on, positioning myself between her legs, still not touching her. She reaches up and pulls my face down to hers, capturing my mouth, forcing a growl of need from me as I lower onto her body until we’re skin to skin, every part of me touching every part of her.

“Love me, Nash,” she whispers as I move my mouth down the column of her neck, sucking on the pulse point there as it flutters wildly. Her words give me a heady rush. My heart booms, and I shake down to my core as I lower my mouth to her breasts, taking one in hand and teasing her nipple with my tongue, tasting and licking and driving us both crazy until I capture the pebbled nipple in my teeth and nip.

“Nash…aaah… I need you inside me.” She pulls on me and jerks her hips up, slamming her pussy against my cock, and I groan.

“Not yet.” I grit out the words, keeping control even as I feel myself sliding close to the edge like the world is tilted at an impossible angle, and it’s taking all my strength to hang on.