Another one of those sinful smirks tilts his lips. “I know.”
With a firm press of his palm against my back, I fall into him, my lips colliding with his in an electrified kiss. I forget that I’mangry at him. Forget that he played me. That he’s Grayson’s best friend and emotionally damaged.
I forget about everything other than how incredibly amazing it is to kiss him; in the unforgettable magnetism that has always existed between us. Chemistry has never been our issue. I’ve always wanted him, and he has always wanted me. The only thing holding us back before was that he thought I was someone I was not.
Now… Now, I’m not sure what’s going to happen. What Iwantto happen. What I do know is that Ireally,really enjoy the feel of his skin against mine. His hand on my neck, pulling my body in closer.
The dish towel and ice are forgotten as the temperature sores, and I somehow end up between his legs, one hand pulling on his strands of hair as the other explores his chest and shoulder.
My body molds to his, my hormones going wild as my hips rock, desperate for some sort of friction. I’m on the verge of wrapping my legs around him and completely giving myself over to this insane need escalating inside of me when he eases back.
“I’ll never get enough of kissing you, but we should probably stop.” It’s the deep rasp in his voice and pupils blown wide with desire that tells me the last thing he wants to do is stop, but unlike me, he hasn't completely lost all common sense.
“That’s probably wise,” I agree breathlessly. With his hands cupping my neck, he rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes. “This is not at all where I intended tonight to end up, but I’m definitely not sorry. Kinda wishing I’d punched that asshole a week ago now.”
I snort a laugh. “You’re not very good at apologizing, are you?”
“It’s the first genuine one I’ve ever given, so you’ll have to cut me some slack. By the time I’ve earned your forgiveness, I’ll be an expert.”
“Is that so?” I ask with an arched brow. “You’re so certain I’m going to forgive you.”
His smirk is all self-assured cockiness. “I am. Wanna know why?”
I nod, my forehead rubbing against his.
“Because I couldn’t stay away from you when I thought you were responsible for the ruin of Gray’s family. Despite the type of person I believed you to be, you consumed my every waking moment. Drove me completely fucking wild dancing for me in the club.
“So long as we’re around one another, this chemistry between us will keep pulling us into one another’s orbit. Whenever I’m around you, I want to strip you down and take my time learning every dip and curve of your body, and Iknowyou’re just dying for me to push you to your knees and make you choke on my cock. I bet your panties are drenched purely from that kiss.” He smirks knowingly, the asshole. Of course, he’s right. The second he leaves, I’ll be using the shower head to give myself some relief. Otherwise, I’ll be tossing and turning all night.
“I’m sorry, what does our mutual desire to jump one another’s bones have to do with me eventually forgiving you?”
At my teasing tone, his eyes shine with mirth and something softer and out of place on his usually harsh face.
“It haseverythingto do with it because it makes it impossible to elude one another. Unable to deny this attraction between us, which means whatever this connection is, it’s strong.” He grows serious, his expression unnaturally vulnerable. “I’ve never been this consumed by another person before. What we have is rare and powerful. With time andnourishment, it’ll be a force to be reckoned with.Wewill be a force to be reckoned with. I don’t believe even you can overcome it.”
“So you’re saying it’s inevitable, and I should just throw in the towel and forgive you right now?”
“Definitely not. I’m sayingwe’reinevitable, but you should absolutely make me work to earn your forgiveness. Only then can we enter this on equal footing, with no regrets or self-doubt.” His fingers stroke down my cheek. “I have my own demons I need to work through, too, so take all the time you need, James. I’ll be here when you’re ready.” He dives in for a lingering kiss. “And in the meantime, I plan on stealing as many of these as I can.”
With my heart fluttering and breath uneven, I step away, grabbing the towel of ice and placing it in the sink as I gather myself. “I should wrap your hand,” I say in a voice that is not my own.
“You don’t have to.” He clenches his hand, showing me just how okay it is. Still, I don’t relent, grabbing the things from my little first aid kit.
“Do you want a hot chocolate?” I offer when I’m done, finding myself not wanting him to leave just yet.
His stare bounces back and forth between my eyes. “Sure.”
I haven’t had hot chocolate in the apartment since moving to Halston, but I’ve been dying to make a cup since it came in one of Logan’s deliveries earlier in the week.
Making each of us a cup, I hand him his, and we sit on the sofa. He’s careful to leave a gap between us, and I mentally applaud him for his respect, even if my body craves his closeness.
Bringing the steaming mug to my lips, I sip it with a sigh as I watch him over the rim of my mug.
His lips twitch in a wry smirk. “Something caught your attention?”
“Just realizing thatfuck offon your forehead has disappeared.”
He snorts. “Believe me, Ry, it’s still there. Just not when it comes to you.”
