Page 47 of Crash and Burn

"Stop, stop," he finally said, breathlessly. "I'm getting a headache."

"Does that mean you concede?" I taunted.

"Let's call it a time out," he replied.

"Good." I flopped onto the bed, equally breathless. "Because I'm starting to see double."

Grant leaned over me and made a V with two fingers.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" he asked.

I grabbed at his hand.

"I'm not concussed," I said, "Just give me a minute."

Grant smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling in that familiar way of his.

How many times had I seen that smile on those lips? How many times had I wondered if that smile meant something more when it was aimed at me?

As I fought to catch my breath, Grant stayed hovering over me. His hand was still in mine. His smile faded slowly as his expression turned serious. His eyes roved all over my face, a curious look in them.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said quietly. "Just…”

That frustrated look appeared once again. His face was so close. His hip was pressed right up against mine. With every exhale, his warm scent washed over me, something deep and earthy, like a forbidden forest.

How long had I waited for a moment like this?

How many times had I watched Grant struggle to say something he so clearly longed to say?

"Grant…” I put my other hand on his cheek. The slight stubble scratched at my palm. I would have given anything to know what it felt like against other parts of me. My lips. My belly. My inner thighs.

Grant lowered his head an inch, looking deeply into my eyes. He cupped the side of my head, fingers running through the hair at my temples.

That liquid heat pooled inside me again, making me daring. Reckless.

I used my hand on his face to pull him closer. He went willingly. His eyes grew dark as his pupils dilated wide open. His lips parted silently.

I mustered all my courage.

"Kiss me?" I breathed.

A surge of hunger flashed across his face, the intensity of it almost alarming. His fingers tightened in my hair.

"Fuck, Liz—" he groaned, almost pained.

"Do it," I said. "Kiss me, Grant."

A muscle in his jaw twitched, his eyes turning burning hot, before he let out a growl and crushed his lips to mine.

I inhaled sharply as a kaleidoscope of colors exploded across my vision, my eyes going wide and sightless.

A distant part of me was shocked, surprised that he'd actually gone ahead and done it.

Another part of me was elated, gratified that my instincts had been correct all this time, that Grant did feel something for me.

But most of my brain was overtaken with the delicious sensation of Grant's lips roving over mine. They were warm and soft and insistent, as if he were intent on devouring every inch of me.