Page 9 of Your Last First Kiss

Is it sad that one of my most erotic memories happens to be on a dance floor, fully clothed, with this man beside me?

“But—Marissa.” Her name tastes sour on my tongue, but I try really hard not to make a face.

“Marissa and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.” He flinches, and I take a guilty step back. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought her up. Did she break his heart?

“Oh. Um, I’m sorry to hear that,” I lie.

“No, I mean. Actually, we were never really together at all. I mean…” Dillon curses and runs a hand roughly over his face. It’s hard not to smile. He’s cute when he’s uncomfortable. “There was this dating app, but I never… We never.”

“Dillon?” My lips twitch because I’m trying hard to suppress a smile. Even though I have no right to be jealous, I can’t help it. The thought of him with some faceless woman has been gnawing at me for weeks.

He stares down at me with eyes so honest and true I feel my walls crumble.

I don’t know if it’s Nova’s encouragement or the loneliness that keeps me up at night, but suddenly, this moment feels like a sign. Like maybe I’m supposed to take this chance with him. I swallow twice before I’m sure I can control my voice. “I’m not a very good dancer. You’d probably have a better time with someone else.”

He stops short, dragging me closer to his hulking body but still managing to keep all appearances of appropriateness.

“You, Penny Mulligan, are the only person who has my attention today, last year, and tomorrow. You. And I don’t know if you’re aware, but I don’t dance, yet here I am. I’ve been counting down the days to this damn party because I knew you’d be here and there would be dancing. Do you know why that is?”

If I thought he was growling before, I was sadly mistaken. His words flick along my skin like flames. Everything about him causes an inferno.

I lick my parched lips. He follows the movement, and the muscles in his jaw tick.

“Why?” Jesus. My voice is breathy. Too breathy. Can everyone see the desire building in my core? I suppress the urge to look down at my belly.

He leans in. Less than a foot of space separates our lips when he speaks, and I smell the ever-present scent of root beer on his breath. Why does this man always smell like root beer, of all things?

“Because for the last year, the only thing I think about at night when I close my eyes is you. I know you don’t want to hear this. And I know all your reasons why. They’re valid reasons. But if I’m only going to get the chance for one dance a year with you, do you really think I’m going to miss that chance?”

“No?” I squeak.

He grins.

I melt.

“No, Penny. No, I’m really, really not.”

CHAPTER3

DILLON

Ireturn her palm to the crook of my arm and propel us toward the party. Her hand lays heavy against my tuxedo jacket like a salve for a wound I didn’t even know existed.

Why does it have to feel so right to have her with me like this? She’s determined to keep me at arm’s length, but I’ve never felt more at ease.

Every time I say I respect her boundaries, she shows up in my line of sight like a goddamned angel, beckoning me into her light.

And I did tell myself I would give her space tonight. I also swore to Lochlan that we were just friends, so I wouldn’t be monopolizing all of her time at this party.

She has a way of making a liar out of me, though.

Then like all the stars had finally aligned for us, I looked up the moment her car turned the corner, and all bets were off.

I’m weak for her, and apparently, I can’t control that weakness anymore.

We walk through the foyer and to the entrance of the grand ballroom, only to be intercepted by Lochlan and his wife, Tilly. The dark, knowing smirk on his face has the muscles in my back tightening. He lifts his phone, and a small flash goes off.

“Dillon,” he says at the same time Tilly squeals and rips Penny from my grasp in a giant hug.