“Hmm.” We were standing in the doorway, with her on one side of the threshold and me on the other. “I’d invite you in… but that could get us into trouble.”
My cocky, lop-sided grin probably said it all. “Trouble can be fun.”
Air escaped through her lips on a huff. “Too much fun. Makes you want to come back for more…” Her gaze landed on my lips and she licked hers.
I wanted her to invite me in, but I thought of my brother’s warning. “I guess I should get going. Don’t want to keep Chase waiting too long.”
She fisted my t-shirt in her hand, pulling me close. “Now’s the time to remind me why this is a bad idea.”
My heart squeezed tight as I slipped my hand into her long dark hair for the first time in forever. I cupped the back of her head, transfixed when she licked her lips again. “I’m afraid I can’t. The only thing I can think about is how good those sweet lips of yours will taste.”
“Are you waiting for an engraved invitation, or what?”
I grinned before taking what I’d been dreaming about since the last time I kissed her all those years ago. One. More. Chance. She threaded her hand through my hair, pressing her soft curves against my hard body and I wrapped my arm around her waist, deepening the kiss.
When my mouth finally breached hers, one word came to mind: lust-drunk. I’d been drunk on beer, whisky, vodka, moonshine, and just about everything else. But I’d only been drunk on one woman in my life, and I forgot what that rush felt like.
Vaguely aware that we’d be putting on a show for anyone walking past, and this was a video she definitely wouldn’t want to go viral, I inched her inside, pressing her back to the wall as the door closed behind me.
When she moaned into my mouth and her hand slipped under my t-shirt, it took everything in me to keep it together. We were within a few feet of a bed. And a naked, horizontal Codie… I’d never wanted anything more. But this was too important. She was too special. I had to take it slow, and make her realize she didn’t want to live without me anymore.
I found the inner strength to tear my lips from hers as she whispered my name.
“Don’t do that,” I said, pressing my forehead against hers as I cradled her face with both hands. “Don’t say my name like that or my self-control is gonna snap like a cheap rubber band.”
She pressed her hands into my chest and I knew she could feel my racing heart. “You’re stronger than I am. If you can walk out of here right now, resisting a drink should be a piece of cake for you.”
I smiled before stealing one more quick kiss. “Delayed gratification, baby. I wanted you for this long. I’ll wait as long as it takes, ‘cause I know if we sleep together tonight you’d have regrets in the morning, and I can’t have that.”
“You don’t know that for sure,” she said, rocking into my erection.
“Not a chance I’m willing to take.” I looked into her eyes, hoping she could tell how serious I was when I said, “When you let me back in your bed, it’s gotta be for the long haul this time.”
Her eyes widened. “Mav—”
“Sssh.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m going now. Are you leaving in the morning?” Saying good-bye to her again was killing me, but I was already counting down the weeks until I could see her again. And I hoped after tonight she’d put me at the top of her call list.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” she said, tapping her palm against my chest. “Sierra invited us to Trey’s birthday party tomorrow night, after the show.”
“Seriously?” I was going to give that woman the biggest hug the next time I saw her. Marisa had told everyone, including Sierra, that I was trying to get Codie back and they were all on my side, trying to help us get our happy ending.
“Yeah, I hope you’re okay with that?” She frowned. “Amanda wanted to spend more time with your brother, I think. So, when she practically pleaded with me to go, what could I say?”
“I want you here.” I couldn’t even believe she would question that. “Every day. Every night.” I waited until she looked at me before I said, “Don’t ever doubt that, okay?” All of my brother’s well-intentioned advice was going out the window because I’d never been able to censor my thoughts or feelings with this girl.
She nodded. “I’m glad. It might be kind of fun, sticking around to go to Trey’s party.”
“You’ll come to the show tomorrow night too, right?”
“No, you are probably having those tickets reserved for special people—”
“No one is more special to me than you are.” I tipped her chin with my index finger, forcing her to look at me. “No one I want to see more than you when I look out into that crowd, you hear me?”
“Yeah, I do.” She sighed. “And you’re so convincing, I may even start believing you.”
I couldn’t convince her of anything with words, given our track record. It would take time. And action backing up those sweet words before she started to believe in us again.
“Until tomorrow then,” I said, kissing her hand before reaching for the door.
