Her lips curve. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
“That’s going to be a problem then, isn’t it?”
I should shut this down. Right now.
Instead, I exhale sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. “Stop flirting with me, Tara.”
She doesn’t blink. Doesn’t back down. Instead, she tilts her head, eyes dancing.
“Oh honey,” she almost purrs. “If I was flirting, you’d know.”
She turns away, looking at her phone like I’m not sitting here actively losing my mind.
A beat of silence.
Then a thought occurs to me.
She’s been teasing me all night. Poking the bear. Maybe it’s time she finds out what happens when the bear bites back.
I stand slowly, moving to where she’s perched on my bed. Her posture stiffens, breath faltering just slightly.
Interesting.
Blood rushes south as I lean down, caging her in with one arm.
She sucks in a breath. The sound goes straight to my dick.
I should step back.
I don’t.
Tara is too close now, her body heat pressing into my space, the floral scent of her shampoo messing with my head.
This is such a bad idea.
But then—her eyes flick to my lips.
And suddenly, I’m not sure who’s losing this game anymore.
“What are you doing?” she whispers, voice breathy.
“Practicing,” I murmur, keeping my voice low, watching her pupils blow wide. “Like you suggested.”
Her pulse jumps under my fingers when I brush hair from her face.
Jesus Christ, she’s so responsive.
I could kiss her. I could.
I could prove that if I really wanted her, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Instead, I step back. Force the distance.
“See?” I say, keeping my voice even. “Totally natural.”
For a moment, she just stares at me, dazed, like she’s trying to process what just happened.
Then her expression shifts.
