My stomach flutters with nerves. What if he says no? This is crazy. I should leave and come up with an actual plan. I turn to go, and the front door swings open.
“Savvy?”
Caught. I freeze. Slowly, I turn around. “Yeah, hi. I was in the area and thought I would stop by.”
He leans against the door frame. “In the area? Weren’t you just at Maria’s?”
Damn, I forgot he knew that. “Well, I was, and she lives nearby, so I was in the area.”
He grins. “You wanted to see me. Admit it.”
Instantly, I’m defensive, but why? He’s right. I climb the stairs to his doorway. “Yes, I wanted to see you.”
He opens his arms, motioning to himself. “Here I am. See?”
He’s still grinning. “Did you want something more?” His voice drops, turning me on. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
Somewhere, my inner confidence grows. “Yes, I do.”
“What’s that?”
“Can we go inside to discuss this?” I ask.
His eyes dance with delight. “Not until you tell me what you want.”
I step up close, too close, and place my hands on his chest. Then I tip my face up to his. “I want you to kiss me again.”
His arms go around my waist, lifting me. I wrap my legs around his waist. He must use his foot to close the door because it slams shut as he walks me into his living room.
We walk until my back is firmly pressed against a wall. He lowers his lips until they meet mine. Fire erupts between us, and the kiss turns heavy fast. I tighten my legs around him as he pushes himself into me against the wall. He breaks the kiss and moves his mouth to my neck while I find the bottom of his shirt. I search for skin, making contact under the fabric. He hits that spot on my neck, and I moan.
His body freezes, and he stares at me as if he’s fighting an inner war. Finally, he curses to himself softly, and then he lowers me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He leans his forehead to mine, but his eyes are closed. “You’re my sister’s best friend. We should talk to her before we start anything.”
“Maria grilled me after you left because she sensed something between us. She’s fine with whatever we do, as long as we don’t tell her.”
He opens his eyes. “She said that?”
I nod. “She also said you would hurt me, and that’s why she was against us before. But I made it clear I don’t want anything serious, so I won’t get hurt.”
He takes a step back. “What did my sister tell you about me exactly?”
I’m suddenly very nervous, and I shove my hands into my pockets. “She said you had a relationship once that didn’t end well, and now you don’t do relationships. She was worried I would get hurt when I wanted more. So, I told her I didn’t want more.”
Something flashes through his eyes. It looks like pain.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. “Was she not telling me the truth?”
He runs his hand through his hair. “You don’t want anything serious? What exactly do you want?”
I shrug. “Some fun.”
He’s staring intently at me. “And what if you catch feelings?”
“I won’t. I’m very attracted to you, but I could never fall for a military guy again.”
