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“Butterfinger. I’m old school. How about you?”
She thought about it. “I like white chocolate. Especially those little balls with the soft centers.”
I grinned, buzzed from all the alcohol. “It’s unfortunate that you like little balls. I’ve got big ones.”
She laughed hard at my joke, her amusement making me feel like I’d accomplished something great.
“I believe in equality for all balls,” she said. “No ball shaming here.”
“I can’t believe mine even fit in this hot tub,” I quipped. “They’re enormous.”
She was still smiling, her eyes fixed on mine, but the mood slowly turned serious. We were sitting so close I could see the flecks of dark brown in her amber-colored eyes.
“Never have I ever wanted to kiss someone so much,” I said softly.
Her lips parted slightly. “Me?”
“Of course you. You’re incredible.”
She tilted her head slightly in silent invitation, and I went for it. Her lips were soft and sweet, stirring something inside me that had been dormant for a long time.
Our mouths moved together in perfect unison, her closeness making me want more. She tasted like lime juice with a hint of salt. The only thing keeping me from pulling her onto my lap was the knowledge that there were people in the house who would eventually be coming back out here.
I cupped her cheek in my hand, enjoying every second of my mouth on hers until she pulled away, breathless.
“No one’s ever kissed me like that,” she said softly.
“You deserve to be kissed like that several times a day.”
I felt the warmth of her exhale on my lips. “I don’t want to ruin my friendship with you and your kids.”
Disappointment rocketed through me. “You mean you don’t think of me as more than a friend? Because I never would have kissed”
“No. I think of you as more. But if I acted on it, I’d feel like Tara Johnson.”
I lowered my brows. “Who?”
“The woman who came up to you that night when we were sitting on the lawn at The Moose. She just wanted to sink her claws into a hockey player, and she didn’t care whether or not it was good for your kids.”
I nodded. “You’re no Tara Johnson, but I know what you mean. My kids have been through a lot.”
She put a hand on my knee beneath the water. “You’re a great dad, you know. It’s one of the things I find so...you know.”
I grinned. “No, what? Tell me.”
She looked away, unable to hold my gaze as she said it. “Sexy. About you.”
Longing hit me hard. It wasn’t just arousal but a deep desire for Shea, and only Shea.
“You think I’m sexy?”
“Of course, Holt. Look at you.”
I cupped her cheek in my hand again, loving the way her nostrils flared just slightly.
“Look at you. You’re so beautiful. Every time you smile, I want to take you in my arms and kiss you.”
“Really?”
