Page 41 of Decidedly Off Limits

“Yeah. Okay.” If my lack of conviction was obvious in my tone, Holly ignored it and smiled.

The rest of the evening passed without any other issues—other than Trent becoming progressively grumpier and grumpier. He scowled more than he smiled. We had long since moved to the living room. I was sitting on the couch, with Josh sandwiched between Holly and me, his leg touching mine. Trent had claimed an armchair, while Erin sat on Darren’s lap on the other chair.

Needing more wine, I returned to the kitchen and grabbed another bottle from the fridge. I turned around, and walked smack into the familiar-smelling wall of lean muscle.

Trent.

“If I didn’t know better,” I said, “I’d say you’re way past your nap time.” He reminded me of an overly tired toddler.

He frowned but didn’t step back, our bodies close to touching. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I ran my fingertip along the grooves in his forehead. “This is what I mean. What’s going on, Trent? You suffering from withdrawals ’cause you aren’t at work like you normally would be at this time?”

“I’m not suffering from withdrawals.”

“Then why are you so cranky? Dinner was great. And you’ve got a beautiful woman dying to spend time with you. What more could you want?”

“What do you mean a beautiful woman is dying to spend time with me?” The frown faded as he studied my face. His gaze drifted to my lips.

I sucked in a soft breath as I imagined his lips against mine, and I temporarily forgot the beautiful woman in the other room waiting for him.

My lips parted—and as if drawn to him by a magnetic force, I leaned forward slightly. If I took a deep breath, my breasts would’ve pressed against his chest.

17

Trent

Rememberwhen you were a kid and saw something you really wanted? Nothing else existed beyond it.

Your parents—the voice of reason that they were—tried to help you see why it wasn’t good for you. But that didn’t matter. You found a way to sneak it anyway.

Well, adulthood wasn’t much different.

Kelsey’s lips parted and all I could think about was kissing her and making her mine. Without considering the consequences, I lowered my mouth to hers but didn’t wait for an invitation to enter—I just did.

My tongue brushed against hers and I was instantly hit with the need to consume her. I knotted my fingers through her silky hair; the other hand went to her lower back and pressed her against me.

The logical, outspoken voice in my head reminded me this was a mistake. I wasn’t what Kelsey needed.

Plus, she wasn’t looking for a boyfriend—and I wasn’t looking to be a one-night stand with her. I couldn’t do that. Once I tasted her, once I felt her heat wrapped around me, I’d never be able to let her go.

“Hey, Kelsey…”

At the sound of Darren’s voice, Kelsey and I sprung apart faster than if lightning had hit us. Although from the way my body tingled after that kiss, it wasn’t much different than being struck by lightning. My nerves still sparked with an electrical charge.

For a dizzying second we just stared at each other, temporarily forgetting why we had stopped kissing as we fought to regain our breath.

“…do you have any more juice?” Darren asked, breaking the spell. He looked between us. “Am I interrupting?”

From the expression on his face, it was hard to tell if he had witnessed the kiss. If my sister had seen it, I could guarantee she would’ve said something. Immediately.

“Yes…I mean…um…let me get you more juice.” Kelsey took the glass from him, her hand shaking slightly.

She put the bottle of wine she was holding on the counter, filled Erin’s glass with apple juice, and handed it back to him. Then she picked up the wine and followed him into the living room. Not once did she look at me or give any indication the kiss meant anything to her.

How could I have been such an idiot to believe otherwise? We were friends, nothing more.

Kelsey knew that.