“Are you scared?”
“Of course!”
“Do you think there’s a chance that we can pull back and go back to just being friends?”
“No way.” She ran her hand over his shirt, feeling his muscles tense under her fingers. “This could end in disaster, but I can’t seem to talk myself out of trying anyway.” She bit her bottom lip. “And believe me, I tried in the shower. But it was pointless because I’m dying to see if any of my fantasies are possible.”
“That’s plural.”
“Yes, it is.” She slid her hands into his silky hair, pressed their mouths together, and wanted something she couldn’t name. Desire unfurled beneath her skin, making her feel hot and restless.
Should they skip the wedding and…of course not.
Reluctantly, she ended the kiss and stepped back. “I want to do a whole lot more of that later.”
Teague ran his hand over his mouth and laughed. “Then I guess that makes me the luckiest son of a bitch around.”
“I suppose it does.” She gave him a faint smile and prayed the evening gave them what they wanted.
ELEVEN
Teague watched his cousin, Linc, promise to honor, love, and protect his intended under a canopy of blooming cherry trees. Feeling Tancy shift in her seat, he glanced over. “Are you okay?”
Sniffing, she nodded. “Yes. It’s just wonderful to see Lucy so happy. She’s clearly found her perfect match.”
Lacing their fingers together, he set their joined hands on his leg. “My cousin looks like he found the secret to lifelong happiness.”
“Makes me believe that love stories can actually happen in real life.”
Before he could respond, the crowd erupted in applause as the couple sealed their union in a kiss. Standing, he and Tancy joined the other guests as the bride and groom whooped and hollered before making their way down the aisle. “Now, that’s the way to make an exit.” Teague put his hand on Tancy’s lower back. “Should we head over to the reception?”
“Together?”
“Yes.” He watched her brows crawl toward her hairline. “What did you think we’d do?”
She looked from side to side. “Do you really want to hard launch our liaison at a family wedding?”
“I have no problem with it.” He watched two of his cousins give him curious looks and didn’t care if he was acting entirely out of character.
“If we spend the evening attached at the hip, everyone will know that we’re going to throw caution to the wind and become servants to the lust that can no longer be contained.”
“I don’t know if they’ll immediately go to the lust thing, but we’ve got nothing to hide either way.” He traced her cheek. “We’ve been friends for a while, and I’m betting that people are wondering why it hasn’t happened sooner.”
“So, it doesn’t seem sudden and sort of out of the blue?”
“No.” He took her hand. “If it was, then you wouldn’t have had time to fabricate all those fantasies.”
“Fair point.” She moved closer. “But wouldn’t it be smarter to keep it between us for the time being?”
“Do you think we’re going to flame out quickly?” Because he sure didn’t. They had spent the better part of three years in one another’s company, and there wasn’t a quirk that he wasn’t well acquainted with. He knew what he was getting into and didn’t have one qualm about how they’d navigate a relationship.
“I’m not saying that we aren’t on the precipice of one of the greatest love stories ever written, but I’m not saying we are.” She took his hand. “Call me cautious, but until very recently, I was convinced you’d rather have a root canal than voluntarily spend time in my company.”
“Do you still think that?” He watched her dark mahogany hair swing back and forth as she shook her head. Swallowing, he tried to ignore his desire to wrap it around his hand and devour her mouth.
“Considering you’re looking at me like you’d like to strip off my clothes and free me from my inhibitions, I’m going to say no.”
“Good.” He cupped her cheek. “I say we give ourselves some grace. Nobody comes out of the gate knowing exactly what to do. It’s not like you pick up a set of golf clubs, hit the links, and score seventy-nine. It takes a lot of bad rounds before you learn how to master the game. Why should relationships be any different?”