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“I wasn’t sure you’d accept them if you knew they were from me.” No one who knows our story would blame her if she tossed the expensive bouquets in the trash seconds after they were delivered. “I thought knowing the flowers from me would upset you.”
And yet, I still sent them…
“That would’ve been true at first,” she agrees. “But the flowers could have been an olive branch between us. If I knew they were from you…” She pauses, shaking her head. “I would have reached out to you, Corey. We could have fixed things between us.”
“But that’s the thing,” I begin in a soft voice, “I wasn’t mature enough to fix things between us back then. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t deserve to have you in my life, but I was too selfish to let you go completely. The flowers were my way of making sure I still played some part in your life. Even if it was only for one day a year.”
“Oh, Corey.” Moisture gathers in her eyes. She presses the business card against her chest. “You’ve been part of my life ever since the day Carter dragged you home after school. Distance and time never changed that.”
My heart squeezes. “Don’t cry. I never want to make you cry.”
“Then don’t.” She closes the distance between us. The fire in her eyes tells me exactly what she’s about to do. And while I’m thrilled, a wave of panic crashes over me at the same time.
I swallow down the lump in my throat, but my voice still cracks when I confess, “I’m worried I’m going to fuck this up.”
“Then don’t,” she repeats. She grabs the front of my shirt, tugging gently to emphasize her next words. “We’re in control of our fate, Corey. No one will dictate what happens between us except us.”
I’ve spent my entire adult life running away from the feelings I have for Carlee. I’ve slept with women, I’ve even gone on dates with a few, but none ever spoke to my soul the way the girl with a curly ponytail did.
But as I stare into her wide brown eyes, I know her words are true. I can’t run away from what’s between us—I don’twantto run away. Not anymore.
“No one,” I murmur, cupping the side of her face and repeating her words, “No one, except us.”
Carlee smiles and tugs my shirt with more force. I lean forward willingly, bending my neck to meet her upturned lips with no hesitation, no fear, and most certainly no regrets.
21
CARLEE
Years of longingare channeled into my lips as I kiss Corey in the middle of his bedroom. I want him more than I’ve wanted anyone in my life, I refuse to let self-doubt win this time.
Besides Corey, I thought I was in love only once before. Victor was my first serious boyfriend. We were together for years and because he didn’t cheat on me, I thought we’d get married one day. That was all I expected from a partner after the heartbreak Corey dealt. I thought loyalty was all that I needed to be content in a relationship.
Thank God I realized how incompatible Victor and I were before it was too late. If I’d allowed our lackluster relationship to continue, I never would’ve found myself here, in Corey Johnson’s arms, determined to rip his clothes off and ravage his body.
By all accounts, I’m a “good girl”. I’m timid and reserved, nothing like the vixens in my favorite romance novels. I never thought my sex drive could be so strong, but I should’ve known better. When it comes to Corey Johnson, all bets are off. My attraction to the man is like no other. Not even the hottest celebrity could make me want to strip down naked in a well-lit room. With Victor, I only ever undressed if the lights wereturned down. With Corey, I’ll let him stare at me in broad daylight. As long as I get the opportunity to do the same.
The lustful thoughts aren’t like me, but I don’t hate them. Especially when I feel them returned in the pressure of Corey’s lips against mine.
I wrap my arms around his neck and press my chest into his, desperate to be as close to him as possible. The hand cupping my face slides to the back of my neck and the other grips my waist.
Our mouths and heads move in perfect rhythm, shifting from side to side, pressing forward and inching back. Our tongues dance together like they’ve done so a hundred times. This kiss is passionate. It’s desperate. And it promises so much more.
My fingers trail down his chest and grab the bottom of his shirt. Not giving myself time to chicken out, I guide the fabric up. Our kiss breaks long enough to slide the shirt over his head, then our lips crash back together like waves breaking upon the shore. My hands trail over his muscular torso, and my core clenches with desire. Corey’s a tall guy, and he’s solid. I’ve never been with someone so physically intimidating, but I’m not worried. Not when I know the soft-hearted soul underneath this tough exterior. Corey is the boy who protected me from childhood bullies alongside my brother, and now he’s the man who protects those he cares about from the world.
We continue to kiss.
I wait for Corey to make a move to undress me, but he seems content to let our mouths continue to explore each other. I take matters into my own hands and bunch the bottom of my dress in my fists, then yank it over my head in one smooth move before I kick off my delicate sandals. Now, I wear nothing but the strapless pale pink bra and matching lace panties I’d put on before leaving my Vegas hotel room and going to the airport. I’d chosen them with this exact moment in mind.
Based on the heat smoldering in Corey’s steel-blue eyes, they were a good choice.
“Christ, Carlee,” he moans, taking a step back and eyeing me up and down like I’m a present he can’t wait to unwrap. “You’re fucking perfect.”
His praise makes my confidence soar. “So are you.” His chest is chiseled perfection, surpassed only by his gorgeous face. I bite my lip as I imagine what hides under his jeans.
He growls. “Keep looking at me like that, and I can’t be held accountable for what I do next.”
Feeling sexier than I’ve ever felt in my life, I lift my chin and give him a provocative grin, “Show me.”
