He frowned. “Humoring you?”
“With the whole I want a sweet, romantic summer thing. It’s silly, I know.”
“It’s not silly.” Reaching for her, he traced the contours of her face, careful of her scrapes and abrasions. “We could have fun with this.”
His hand on her face felt like heaven, absolute heaven. Releasing a shuddering breath, she closed her eyes. “We could?”
“Oh yeah.” He touched her mouth, his finger sliding across her lower lip. “Your conditions will force me to be creative.”
She liked the sound of that. Keeping her eyes closed, she enjoyed his touch, her breath coming faster, her head becoming light. He slipped his fingers beneath her chin and tilted her face up as she waited breathlessly for his kiss.
But he surprised her. Brushing his mouth against her forehead, he pressed sweet butterfly kisses along her hairline that made her heart flutter. She sighed when he kissed the tip of her nose, the very edge of her chin. Then each corner of her mouth, until the anticipation within her was so great she wanted to shout at him to just do it already.
“Open your eyes, Chloe.”
She did as he asked, found him watching her, his lids heavy, his lips parted and damp, as if he’d licked them in anticipation of tasting her. “I don’t want you falling for me,” he murmured. “I don’t want to break your heart. I couldn’t stand myself if I hurt you.”
Oh, lord. She was so sick of everyone trying to protect her. “I’m a big girl, Cam. Didn’t I already say that?” If he turned her away now she would kill him. “Maybe you should be the one who’s worried. I don’t want you falling for me, either.” She smiled and leaned in, his warm breath fanning across her lips. Let him chew on that for a while. This couldn’t all be one-sided. Maybe they both could fall for each other…
Completely.
…
Chuckling, he brushed her mouth with his, a brief kiss that he could’ve almost believed never happened. “Too late.” The words left him before he could stop them, not that she was paying much attention.
He kissed her, hot and deep and wet and with plenty of tongue. Lots of tongue, though he was careful not to touch her anywhere else. For fear of hurting her and afraid he’d break her no-sex rule because damn, this kiss could be the perfect prelude to an amazing night between the sheets.
The sexy little sigh that escaped her when they both came up for air had him going back under for another one. This kiss was hotter, wetter, longer than he planned. She tasted so sweet, like passionate, delicious woman and he never wanted to stop. Just keep on kissing her until the both of them were spinning, spiraling out of control.
But he promised he wouldn’t let it go that far. And he wasn’t about to break his promise to Chloe. He needed to do right by her. If her friend Alison knew what he was doing, she’d flip. Probably reveal his dirty little secret, too.
Damn scary. He needed to come clean and soon. Though he wasn’t motivated purely by guilt. Being with Chloe, having her in his arms, kissing her…it definitely wasn’t a hardship. He liked this woman.
Probably too much.
She murmured his name, her hand tentatively brushing his jaw, her thumb smoothing over his skin. Her innocent touch sent his senses reeling, his body hardening, and he took the kiss even deeper.
He wanted to drive her out of his system. Just purge her so he wouldn’t be so damn compelled to do this every time he was near her.
“So do you think we’re compatible?” she asked breathlessly, long, long minutes later.
His breathing ragged, he nodded. Swallowed, tried to calm his racing heart. “Fuck yeah, we are.”
She laughed and kissed him again. This one quick and sweet and heady enough that he cupped the side of her face to keep her there, wanting more. Always wanting more. “I think so, too,” she whispered against his mouth.
“Good.” He kissed her. “Let’s do this again soon.” He sounded eager and for once, he didn’t care.
“Tomorrow?” she asked hopefully.
“Definitely.”
Chapter Seven
“What’s going on between you and my brother?”
Chloe avoided Jane’s question, pretended that she was concentrating on her friend’s Mexican honeymoon photos she was showing Chloe on her iPad, a wedding gift from her husband. Her friend was so happy and terrifically spoiled.
Chloe figured Jane deserved every bit of happiness. She’d suffered much to finally find it again. She couldn’t begrudge her this, ever. “The resort you were at looks amazing.”