Because she knew exactly what this was. She didn’t have to worry or wonder where this was going to lead; it was leading nowhere. This was just about two people who were attracted to each other. And ultimately, they were both leaving. Nothing about this made sense long term.
Sometimes you take the moment that’s in front of you instead of worrying about the one that won’t come.
His hands slid into her hair, tipping her head back slightly, deepening the kiss. The world narrowed to heat and breath and the solid press of his body against hers.
This wasn’t going to end with one kiss, not like it had yesterday. She knew it. He knew it. And somehow that made it harder to pull away.
He broke the kiss first.
Barely.
Just enough to press his forehead against hers, both of them breathing hard.
“Evie.” Her name sounded strained and cautious, like it pained him to have to say it. His hands were still on her. Still holding her like she might disappear. His dark eyes searched hers now—not heated, but steady and intent.
“Are you sure?” he asked quietly, and she saw him swallow hard. “Nothing has to happen here that you don’t want.”
There it was. The line. The choice. He was leaving it up to her.
She thought about Seattle. About distance. About all the ways this could complicate everything.
Then she looked at him.
At the way he was giving her an out.
At the way he clearly wanted her anyway.
And something inside her settled. She reached for him again, sliding her hands up his chest, over his shoulders, anchoring herself there.
“I’m leaving in a few weeks,” she said softly.
His jaw tightened, but she held his gaze.
“But tonight,” she whispered, pulling him back to her, “I’m not going anywhere.” She expected him to say something—anything—that was their M.O. But he didn’t. Instead, he closed the distance between them and dove in for a kiss that went from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. And when she felt him lift her into his arms, she knew she’d remember this moment forever.
Chapter Six
It was wrong; he knew it.
He just didn’t give a damn.
This was breaking every rule—never sleep with a friend, never let it be personal, and never bring a woman back to his place.
And yet, here they were.
The way she kissed made him hungry for more. The way she clung to him made him eager to get her naked. And the way she hummed turned him on more than he thought possible.
At his bed, he bent over to put her down, but Evie didn’t let go. He had no choice but to immediately cover her body with his, and when she locked her legs around his waist, he was a goner.
She arched beneath him, silently begging him for more, but he didn’t want to rush. This wasn’t some one-night stand; this was Evie. And she was…
Shit.
This was probably going to be one time only. Once Milo and Nora got back, they were going to have to pretend this never happened. He wasn’t worried about Milo kicking his ass or anything, but he knew how everyone thought about him—he was the guy who never stayed in one place, the guy who never got serious with anyone, and the guy determined to never settle down.
Essentially, he was a nightmare. Especially to someone like Evie.
So what the hell am I doing?
