Page 16 of One Drink

Her lips parted, and I thought she was going to say something, but she didn’t. She held her gaze on me, waiting for me to make a move.

“I want to kiss you, desperately.” I breathed. Her eyes widened and she lifted her head. I took that as an invitation, but I wasn’t going to do this unless she said yes. “May I?”

She nodded, and I slipped one hand around her neck and pulled her closer. She shut her eyes, dropping her head back for me. This was unexpected, and I hesitated, staring at her lips as they parted in waiting. I lightly pressed my lips to hers, caressing her mouth more than kissing it. Her instantaneous whimper sent a wave of desire throughout, my body and my heart pounded to the rapid beat of a snare drum. All the control I’d been exercising as I stood against the wall waiting for her melted away, and I was left with nothing more than the primal shell of a man wanting her—needing her—in carnal ways I had no right to be thinking while kissing her in a public place with our friends just steps away.

I kissed her with everything I had to give. Our drunken night together changed everything between us, and I needed this kiss to convince her that change was what she needed. I needed her to feel everything I felt for her—to feel my need for no one else but her. I kissed her slow and hard, determined to imprint this memory on her.

I broke the kiss and dropped my forehead to hers, leaving us both panting. She whispered my name, and the soft sound flowing off her lips hit me straight in the cock. I wanted to kiss her again—her lips, the soft skin behind her ears, her entire body—but I couldn’t rush this. Taking this further had to be her decision.

I pulled away and ran my fingers through my hair. Seeing her slumped against the wall, looking ready for more, told me one thing: I’d succeeded in showing her exactly how I felt about her.

I leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “We’re not done here, Stephanie. Let me know when you’re ready to talk.”

She nodded then squeezed her eyes shut. I wished I knew what she was thinking. The quick rise and fall of her chest suggested she was just as turned on by that kiss as I was, but I wasn’t certain. I waited, watching her, hoping she would say something, but she didn’t. She didn’t even open her eyes.

“You know where to find me.” I walked away and headed back to my table, where a very stiff drink was waiting for me.