Page 97 of Peaks and Promises

“No.” She hesitated. “It’s fine. That was good.”

It wasn’t just good. It was fucking intoxicating.

My head swam and the visceral memory of my mouth tangled with hers burned hot. I resisted the urge to lick my lips to get another taste of her.

If I did, I might kiss her again. And I couldn’t do that.

I couldn’t make her a promise I wouldn’t be able to keep.

She brushed her hair back from her face, and her voice was still breathy. “Mission accomplished, I guess.”

“Yeah. We’re good?”

“We’re good.” She seemed to be collecting herself, taking a deep breath and fussing with her hair. “I’m sure a little well-placed PDA will convince everyone we’re married.”

I nodded again.

She opened her mouth as if to say more, but closed it again, turning to head inside instead.

Closing my eyes, I licked my lips, savoring the taste of her.

I wanted to grab her. Pull her tight against me and devour her mouth.

Then devour the rest of her.

But I didn’t. I held back, knowing it was the right thing to do. The only thing I could do.

CHAPTER 22

Summer

My heart raced and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath. I shut the door behind me, hoping Reese wouldn’t follow me inside.

Or maybe I hoped he would.

I shouldn’t have suggested he kiss me. But with his arms around me, my skin tingling at his touch, he’d been too much to resist. Every cell in my body had wanted that kiss. And he’d given it to me.

Letting out a long breath, I retreated to the bedroom. I didn’t trust myself to be near him. Not yet. My swollen lips buzzed with the memory of his kiss, and the pulse of heat in my core was impossible to ignore.

I couldn’t get tangled up with Reese Haven—not more than I already was. I had to keep my heart out of it. Because I knew the truth. This wasn’t real. We were playing house, pretending to be something we weren’t.

And he wasn’t going to stay.

So why did he have to kiss me like that?

I took another deep breath. Everything was fine. Whatever physical attraction existed between us, we’d push it aside. We could pretend in public, and the rest? It was just biology. Hormones. Who wouldn’t feel dazed after a kiss like that? It didn’t mean anything.

Or, at the very least, it didn’t mean there was more between us.

Who would have thought pretending to be married would feel so complicated?

I still didn’t want to face him, so I hunkered down in the bedroom for the rest of the evening. I had an early shift the next morning, so it made sense to get some sleep anyway.

But all night, the memory of Reese Haven’s brain-melting kiss haunted my dreams.

The diner was hopping, but my customers were happy, so I wasn’t stressed.

My comfort at work had been growing as the days went on. I had most of the menu memorized and had sampled quite a few of the dishes so I’d be able to answer questions. The food was good, which was a nice change. Even the coffee was delicious. So different from the last place I’d worked.