Page 45 of Forbidden Kisses

I drew in a deep breath just as we arrived in front of her house. "Let's get you safely inside."

She let out a huff that sounded like frustration and hopped out of the car by herself. I hurried to her side, putting a hand on her waist, but she wasn't swaying as much as before. I moved my hand around to her lower back as I gently guided her toward the front door.

As she opened it, she sighed and said, "I think I'm going to be sick."

"I'll walk with you."

"No, no. I don't want you to see."

We both went inside the house nonetheless, which she didn’t protest.

After a moment, she took in a deep breath and said, "Nope, false alarm." Then she turned to face me. The house was semi-dark, the only light coming from one of the open doors. "You didn't answer me."

I was close to her—far too close. "Was the kiss at the club not answer enough?"

She shook her hand, biting her lower lip. "I need words, Duncan."

"I don't have them," I admitted.

She dropped her shoulders, tilting her chin to the floor. I put my thumb under it, lifting it so I could watch her.

"I’m not a man of many words," I said. "And everything that's gone on since I met you… it's not how I do things. I don't allow myself to…"

"To what?"

I wasn't even sure how to explain this to her, which was insane. My brothers often mocked me that I was very good atexplaining everything, even unnecessary things. But right now, words failed me.

"I'm so attracted to you that I can't think straight, Riley."

Her face exploded in a grin. "See, that's what I'm talking about."

She put her hands on my shoulders. "You know, at the club, I thought I was making up in my mind how fantastic these muscles are. Even though I saw you at the pool. But they are quite exquisite."

I groaned. "Riley, if you keep touching me, I’ll lose control."

"So, what's the problem?"

"You've had too much to drink, and I don't want to take advantage of that."

She pouted. "I liked you better when you said that you can't think straight. See, this is you being cerebral again. I don't like it. So much logic standing in the way of sexy times."

I laughed, and that seemed to bring her to her senses.

"Just another thing to strike off the list, okay? By Monday, this never happened," she said.

And that was the crux of the issue. I didn't want her to do anything she would regret.

"Riley, go to sleep, okay?"

"But I don't want to because if this evening ends, then this is all we had. A kiss. And I want more."

This woman, did she even know what she was doing to me? How much I wanted her anyway?

I kissed her forehead. "Go to sleep, beautiful. I’ll be in touch tomorrow."

"You promise?

"I so fucking will."