“We didn’t. But dinner wasn’t going well, and I could tell you wanted to be anywhere other than with me.” He dropped his forehead to hers. “So, when you went to the bathroom, I texted my friends, asked them what I could do to salvage the date.” And then, he took a step back. “I fucked up. I should’ve just accepted that you didn’t want to be with me.” He folded his arms over his muscular chest. “I should’ve just brought you home. I’m sorry.”
She wanted him back. The heat of his body, that searching gaze that made her feel so veryimportantto him, and the potential for more. More touches, more secrets shared, more intimacies.
The hell with it. Even if she never saw him again after he left, she would never regret grabbing his shirt, yanking him to her, and pressing her mouth over his. Wholly unprepared, he stumbled against her. But this man did not hesitate. No, he dove right in.
Licking the seam of her mouth, he slid inside. The moment their tongues touched, her senses sharpened, and she became aware of the silky strands of his hair, the slick heat of his mouth, and that scent that connected with something deep inside her.
Something that made her forget everything but the taste of him, the urgency of his touch, and the hot thrum of desire beating in her bloodstream.
He reached for her ass, those big hands giving it a lusty squeeze—God, that was hot. Lifting her against the wall, he stepped between her thighs.Yes.Lust blazed a path along her limbs, turning her inhibitions, her doubts, and her thoughts to ashes.
Angling her face, he deepened the kiss, taking over, sweeping her away with his passionate desire.
No one had ever wanted her the way he did.
And she needed it. Needed someone to want her, to chase her to the ends of the earth and never give up on her.Cole’s that man. His body was telling her what she’d always longed to hear.
And God knows, she’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted him.
Hearing a sigh from the girls’ room, she started to ease away, but he cupped the back of her head and held her in place. “This might be my only chance, and I’m going to take my fill of you.” And then he kissed her so thoroughly, so desperately, she knew she was spoiled for life.
When he finally pulled back, he kissed her chastely once, twice, three times…and then he let out a shaky sigh. “Holy shit.”
For a moment, she couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think. Her entire being was still caught up in that kiss. And then, she stuttered out a laugh, showing him her hand. “I’m shaking.”
He set her down and took a step back. “I’m good, though.” His knees buckled. “Totally unaffected.”
She grinned. “I see that.” Loving this moment with him, she clasped her hands around his neck. “They’d love this, you know. All Darren and Lindsay ever wanted was for us to be together.” Every time she let her hopes run wild—maybe they could work out—why not?—she got a stab of fear.He’s leaving in two days.And when he got back on the ice, all this intensity would fade.
She had to get it through her head. They would never be a couple. “Well, we’ve got to get up early.”
Once again, he reached for her. “Hailey?” He traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “I wish I’d gotten it right. Taken you to the homecoming dance, to prom…been the jock you dated. I wish I’d had the confidence to be the guy you needed.”
She sighed. “Let’s not forget my part in it. Things might’ve been different if I hadn’t been so determined to shut everyone out.”
“You’re not shutting me out now.”
“Nope. Though I probably should.” But…why? Why not enjoy the heat blazing in his eyes?So what if it’s temporary?
All she did was work. Her life was devoid of passion, lust…all the powerful emotions. She guessed she liked it that way because it was safer. A childhood filled with anger, resentment, and fear had her seeking out stability and peace as an adult. “Kiss me again, Cole. One more time.”
Those sexy lips brushed over hers, and she came alive. His touch was an awakening, a celebration. She flung her arms around his neck, desperate for more. Up on her toes, she pressed against him, her hips shifting, seeking relief from the throb between her legs, the glowing ache that only needed friction to burst into flames. His breath caught in his throat before he deepened the kiss. With his hands on the rise of her ass, he jerked up hard against him. “There are other places I want to kiss you.”
Yes. God. She devoured him, her hands reaching under his shirt, meeting his smooth, hot skin. She was on fire, pure sensation, and when the ache grew too much to bear, she moaned.
And that was what snapped her out of it.
They couldn’t do this with two children right down the hall.
Yes, she wanted him. Of course, she did. But… “I can’t. You’re still leaving the day after tomorrow.”
He let out a defeated sigh. “I know.”
She shifted out of his hold. “Goodnight, Cole.” She’d gotten halfway down the hall, when he called her name. She didn’t turn around. If she saw his mouth still wet from her kiss, the lust-lazy eyes, she’d surely go running back. “Yeah?”
“Best kiss ever.”
She grinned.