The kisses grew a bit longer each day. Maybe by just a second. But the reluctance to end it vibrated between them, knowing it was the only contact they’d have for twenty-four hours.
And after he dropped her off today, he wouldn’t get to touch her until Monday. If this was even still going on then. They hadn’t discussed past this weekend.
He pulled up along the curb, idling behind another car in front of him. He drew in a slow breath and turned to face her.
“Thanks again for the ride.” There was realization in her eyes, as well, that this was the last kiss—as prudent as it was—for a while.
“My pleasure.” And it was. He leaned toward her. “See you after work?”
“Yes.” She leaned in, her eyes closing.
He dipped his head, brushing his lips over hers in a caress that was increasingly familiar and required an inhumane amount of restraint. She didn’t pull away, and when her tongue teased his bottom lip, a groan of shock and need hit him.
“Hannah.” He pressed his mouth against hers again. A little firmer this time, and when his tongue darted out, hers was there, waiting.
It was all the permission he needed to dive in for a taste. Their tongues darted together in a slow and intimate dance. It must’ve only been seconds, but felt like minutes before the car behind them honked their horn.
Hannah pulled away with a gasp, disorientation and desire shining brightly in her eyes. His heart pounded a mile a minute as he stroked his fingers down her cheek.
She licked her lips. “I thought I saw him. Wentworth.”
Of course. His stomach dropped with realization, and he gave a short nod. “I’ll see you after work.”
“Thanks again.” She flashed a tight smile before climbing out of the car and hurrying up the steps to the school.
*
“Do you thinkthis is too formal to wear to a wedding on a beach?”
Eric paused in adjusting his tie to glance up at Hannah. “Wow.”
It was the only word that formed in his mind as he took in the sight of her in the bathroom mirror. Her hair was sleek and shiny, falling around her shoulders, her features more defined with the heavier makeup she’d put on.
The burgundy sweater dress she wore hugged her curves, just enough to be hot without showing off an inch of skin. Though the sexiest part had to be the slash of bare thighs and knees, before her legs disappeared into black leather boots.
Images flashed through his head. Backing her up against the door and picking her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her dress hiked over her hips.
A quick tug of her panties to the side—
“Like wow in a good way, or wow in a bad? Because you’re giving me a weird look right now.”
The look that said he wanted to be buried inside her and have her screaming his name? Because that was the look, yeah.
“In a good way.” He finally got a response out, even if it was a little raspy. He turned to face her. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” She grimaced and gestured to the boots. “I wasn’t sure about these on the beach, but there’s no heel. And it’s not raining. So it should be safe enough to walk on the rocks.”
“I think you’ll be all right.”
“You know, you clean up nice too.” She leaned against the doorframe and her gaze traveled the length of him. “Something about a guy in a tie.”
Any guy? Not just him?
He ignored the jealous thought, turned back to the mirror, and finished adjusting his tie.
“Thanks.” While he wasn’t going with a full-on suit, some khakis and a button-up white shirt with a tie felt appropriate. He turned away to comb his hair. “I wasn’t really sure either on what you wear to a last-minute beach wedding.”
“Right? And it’s not like a Hawaii-style beach wedding. But Pacific Northwest in the fall. It’s a whole other vibe. It could be freezing or could be super rainy. You just never know.”