Her heart was hammering so hard she was sure the entire state of Texas heard it.
His other arm tightened its hold around her waist as his head tilted toward hers. He was going to kiss her, she was sure of it. His eyes were closed, his mouth now inches from hers...
And all she could do was say, “Why?”
***
Hunter’s eyes flew open. What just happened? He was nose to nose with Britt, who was gaping at him with a mix of curiosity and confusion. The haze of desire started to lift, and now he was a little confused himself. He pulled away but didn’t let her go. “What?”
“Why are you going to kiss me?”
He blinked. Then reality hit him, hard. He almost kissed Britt.Not that he didn’t want to. He so, so,sodefinitely did. More than once, if she would have let him. He was surprised because he’d gotten so out of control.
Hunter moved away from her and put a decent amount of space between them. He shoveled his hand through his hair. “Britt, I’m—”
“You were going to kiss me, right?”
His eyes darted to hers. There was nothing he could do but admit the truth. “Yes. I was. And I’m sorry.”
“You are?”
“I respect you a lot—”
“I don’t feel disrespected, Hunter. I’m confused.”
He understood the feeling. “About what?”
She started to pull at the hem of her tank top, then shoved her hands behind her back. “I don’t understand why you’d want to kiss me.”
Was she serious? One look at her expression, and he knew she was. “I, uh...” This was new territory. He’d never had to explain his feelings. He just let his instincts take control, and the less talk the better. Never in his life had a female asked him such a question. “Did you want to kiss me?”
Her cheeks instantly turned fuchsia, and she averted her gaze.
“Because it’s okay if you do.” He took a step forward, and when she didn’t jump back, he took another one. “I don’t want you to think I’m using you.”
“For what?”
He couldn’t decide if she was really this naïve, or if it was some kind of act. “To kiss you, make out with you, go to bed with—”
“Whoa!” Her hands flew up, palms out.
“Because I’m not,” he said in a rush. “I promise that never crossed my mind. Well, maybe once or—”
“Hunter!”
He was messing this up, badly. If only he hadn’t given in to his impulses and tried to kiss her. She was starting to look distressed, and he had to get back on better footing. To prove himself, he told the truth. “When your channel first popped up in my feed, I thought you were cute, so I clicked on a video.”
Her eyes widened, but she still listened.
“And then I started watching more. I was fascinated by your lessons, how easily art came to you, how well you described things, your creativity. That’s why I reached out to you. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated what you do. I was completely honest about that, and about wanting to make a change in my life. I...” He couldn’t unload everything on her now. “I needed to do something different.
“And then we met and clicked. But you were wary, and you had a right to be. All I wanted was friendship, Britt. Or so I thought.”
Her expression was softening. “What changed?”
“Being around you. You’re not just cute, Ms. Branch.” He smiled, but not the cocky, manipulative one he’d used on women before. This one was from the heart. “You’re adorable. And talented, intelligent, and fun.”
Shock registered on her face. “I’m fun?”
