Page 96 of Peaks and Promises

I slipped her hand into mine. Hers was warm and soft. Pleasant. She twined our fingers together, and I squeezed. She squeezed back and leaned her cheek against my arm.

“Okay.” She let go. “That was easy, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Now, maybe practice touching my arm or my back. You know, the way a husband would touch his wife.”

I suppressed the low growl that tried to crawl up my throat. It would have been so much easier if I wasn’t so attracted to her. Pretending when it was actually pretend would have been one thing. But touching her like she was my wife with my inner caveman trying to take control was another.

Fuck, it was hard.

And so was I.

But I was a man with self-control. So, I put a hand on the small of her back and gave her a caress. Applying gentle pressure, I led her forward, as if we were walking somewhere together. She followed my touch, turning with me and stopping when I did.

Giving in slightly, I indulged in sliding my hand up her back and across her shoulders, drawing her against me. After all, it was her idea. I shifted her so she faced me and ran my hands up and down her arms. She tilted her chin up, and for a moment, I got lost in her brilliant blue eyes.

“That’s good.” Her voice was a breathy whisper.

“Does it feel like you’re my wife?”

Her lips parted, and she nodded.

Instinct took over, and I slid my hands around her waist. She draped her arms around my neck. My heart beat hard, and I hoped she didn’t get any closer, or she was going to feel every bit of what she was doing to me.

“Maybe we should, um…” She rubbed her lips together. “In case we need to at some point.”

“Get it over with?”

“Yeah. It seems like it would be easier to kiss for the first time when no one’s watching.”

My eyes flicked to the back window again. It would figure that Nate would appear when I was about to kiss his mom. But no one was there.

We didn’t have to do it. We could play the part of a married couple without ever kissing in public. I needed to let go. Step back. Keep my distance. If I kissed her, I’d have to live with the knowledge of what she felt like.

“I don’t mind.” Her voice was quiet. “It’s not a big deal. We’re just pretending.”

Right. Just pretending.

Leaning in, I pressed my lips to hers and tried not to groan. Her mouth was soft and pliable, and a burst of heat flowed through my veins.

That’s enough, Reese. You kissed her. Pull away.

She let out the slightest whimper and I was done.

Fuck it.

Winding my arms around her, I pulled her tight against me. I brushed my tongue along her lips, and she opened for me, tilting her head so I could take the kiss deep. Our tongues slid against each other, velvety soft, and her mouth was warm and wet.

I didn’t stop, kissing her like she was the oxygen I needed to live. Devouring her like she was mine.

But she wasn’t.

I let go, dropping my arms and pulling away abruptly. She gasped and took a step back. Breathing hard, I kept my eyes on the ground. I couldn’t look at her. If I did, I’d crack.

Or maybe I already had.

“Sorry,” I said.