And I just had to go and kiss her…
All those thoughts got quickly shoved aside when he felt her tongue against his—a little tentative, with just a hint of sexiness—and then he was a goner. He dove in for more.
This wasn’t just a kiss; this was like something had been unleashed between the two of them. It wasn’t slow or sweet or even remotely casual. His hands skimmed down from her face and down her body so he could wrap her in his arms. She was so much smaller than him that he had to bend down more than he realized, but then Evie went up on her tiptoes to meet him halfway.
This girl…
Her hands smoothed up over his chest to rest on his shoulders as she pressed herself closer, and he was there for it. The kiss went deeper—neither willing to come up for air—and he was too turned on to wonder what this meant for their relationship. His plan had been to kiss her so he could get it out of his system and move on, but the experiment was a complete failure.
This wasn’t getting her out of his system.
If anything, she was burrowing deeper and deeper into it, breaking down all the walls and barriers he’d spent years putting up to keep people away.
Not people. Women. He wanted to keep emotional relationships with women at a distance.
But this was Evie and…
He was in trouble.
She let out a throaty little sound that was part hum, part moan, and it was sexy enough to make him want to pick her up and carry her to bed where he’d…
And that was the bucket of ice water he needed to break the kiss.
Slowly, he lifted his head, and the sight of her almost had him diving in for another taste. Her lips were glossy, her eyes were closed, and her breathing was heavy, making her breasts rise and fall in the most enticing way.
Maybe one more kiss…
No! Slater quickly told himself. Things had already gotten more intense than he’d intended. No need to keep it going and torture himself even more.
“Hey,” he whispered, and then watched in wonder as her eyes slowly opened and blinked him into focus. She licked her lips and let her arms unhurriedly slide down his body before dropping to her sides.
“Hey,” she replied with a shy smile.
“Still friends?” he asked quietly.
“Still friends.”
He knew that was the right answer, but there was a part of him that secretly hoped she’d ask him for more.
Evie let out a long breath before stepping away and walking over to the kitchen. She pulled a couple of bottles of water out of the refrigerator, handing him one. “So, um…what happens now? Do we like…high five or fist bump or something?”
Slater couldn’t help but laugh. “No. I think we both say that that was enjoyable and then we discuss how we’re spending the rest of the weekend.”
“Oh. Okay.” She sat down on the sofa, her perfectly manicured brows furrowed. “I don’t think I want to hike again today if that’s okay with you.”
“No arguments there,” he agreed, sitting beside her, but with enough friendly space that seemed appropriate. “What about parasailing?”
“I don’t know. It’s still a little chilly out. I’m not sure I’m ready for water sports.”
“That’s fair. We can go on a flight? I can show you the entire resort and the surrounding mountains. Consider me like Aladdin taking you on a magic carpet ride.” Then he chuckled. “Only my magic carpet is an eight-passenger seaplane.”
“Hmm…Princess Jasmine was one of my favorites when I was growing up, so…sure! That could be fun. Do we want to grab an early lunch or do the flight and then come back for lunch?”
“Did you get squeamish on the jet we flew here in?”
She shook her head. “Nope. I thought it was a very smooth ride and even when I sat with you up in the cockpit, I felt fine.”
“Then let’s fly first and eat later. What do you say?”
