Page 25 of Baby, It’s Hot Inside

He snorts, glances down at me and his smile hits me right in my heart.

Being this close to him is dangerous.

“A little?” he asks. “I saw pictures of that dress mom made Ginger wear last year.”

“The one with all the gift bows? Yeah, it was pretty terrible. But it caught Brock’s attention so it all worked out.”

Then suddenly I'm hearing Ginger's words from earlier today.

Tell him you want him. Kiss him. Ask him out. Whatever. Just don't wait silently.

But I can’t do it. Right here on the Starr family front lawn. Can I?

“Um, so hey, I meant what I said earlier. If you’re interested in possibly making it onto some book covers I’d love to take your picture. You’d get paid. Not a ton, but it builds up after a while.”

“I think you’re just trying to get me to take off my shirt.”

Is he flirting with me? You know what, even if he isn’t, I'm going to go for it. I turn my body to face him, put my hands on his chest.

He looks down at me, a slight frown on his brow.

"I've got to do this just one time or I'll regret it forever." I say, then I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him.

Initially he tenses and I think he's going to shove me away. So I don't kiss him long, I don't really want to give him the chance to reject me.

I end the kiss and turn towards my car. "Goodnight, Kris. Happy Thanksgiving."

I'm all the way to my car when he's on me, his hands roughly turning me to face him. Then his mouth crashes onto mine. His tongue sweeps across my bottom lip and I open, sliding mine against his as we meet in the middle. His kiss isn’t like mine, tentative and sweet. No, his is like a claiming.

Big, warm and slightly calloused hands cradle my face as he devours me. It is the single hottest kiss of my life. Messy, erratic and just wild. He ends the kiss, making little nips at the corners of my mouth. His forehead presses to mine.

"Why did you kiss me?" he asks, his deep voice is rough..

"Because I've always wanted to."

He leans up and stares into my eyes. Good grief I could literally get lost in those turquoise pools of his. "Always?"

I chuckle and I don't even care that it sounds awkward. "I've had a crush on you a long time." Crush doesn't even really begin to cover it, but I'll leave it at that. "Why did you kiss me?"

"Because you made me feel something and I haven't felt anything in a very long time."

I can feel the evidence of his arousal pressed against my hip. It might just be a fluke, but right now he wants me. I bite down on my lip, then jump over the rest of the cliff. "Want to come home with me?"

"Very badly. You sure?"

Am I sure I want this hot, amazing guy? Um… yes, please! “Definitely.” Except I see the flicker of doubt in his gaze. “Are you sure?”

“That I want you? Yes.” He traces a single finger down my cheek. “But you’re my sister’s best friend. I don’t want this to be awkward. I’ve been discharged, so I’m here to stay, but I’m not ready for—”

I take a step back, holding up a hand to cut him off. “Let me stop you right there. I’m not proposing marriage. All I want is a single night of hot sex.”

chapter fifteen

Kris

I agree to follow Annie to her house so I have my truck with me. It should save us any awkward leaving scenarios where she has to bring me back to my place. But this lag of time is tricky. We're not in the same vehicle and therefore we're not touching or kissing.

There's plenty of time to change our minds. Well, there's time for her to change her mind. I want her. Now.