Cold Hearted Bachelor

She taps the chicken again, a little harder this time. “Better.”

I shake my head, standing behind her and placing my hand over hers on the mallet. “You want to put a little force behind it.”

“Ok.” Together we bring the mallet down on the chicken breast, flattening it out just a bit.

“There you go.” I step away from her like she’s on fire. And well, she kind of is...she’s heating me up all over.

I take another step back, leaning against the counter as she beats the chicken breast mercilessly.

“I think I’ve got it now.”

I can’t turn away from watching her. Her tight little body, standing in my kitchen. How did we get here? Why haven't I gone to my room to get another shirt yet? I’m entranced.

When I saw her house this afternoon, I almost lost it. I wanted to hurt the person who could ever call Paisley such a name. I’ve known her practically her whole life, and she has never been the type of girl to warrant being called a tramp.

But someone did.

I want to find out who. I want to be the one to bring that fucker down. I want to be the one to protect her.

The thought of protecting her slams through me and some sort of primal caveman instinct takes over. I feel like roaring around my house.

I push off the counter and grab a bowl so I can prepare the lemon sauce, and try to pretend I’m working instead of gawking at her like some pervert. I don’t want her to think she’s not safe here. The best way for her to think I can protect her is for me to not be thinking insanely sexual thoughts about her.

“When you’re done with that one, I’ll get you another,” I tell her, trying not to look at her. Looking at her is dangerous. Right now I can’t afford any danger.

I need safe and cautious.

I need the opposite of danger. The opposite of her soft lips against mine. Even though that was most likely the best thing I’ve felt in a long time.

Fuck, just thinking about it makes me want another kiss.

Maybe just one more? Maybe once I get one more kiss I can stop obsessing about her?

After a few minutes of not even glancing in her direction, everything is ready to go into the oven. She washes her hands, and I do too.

And now we’re here.

Waiting.

Breathing.

The air is stifling between us as I stare at her legs beneath the jeans she wears. My heart beats an unsteady rhythm in my chest.

“Thank you again for letting me stay.” She moves closer, and I back up. “I can’t believe how many years we’ve known each other I’ve never been here before.”

“I know.” I take another step back until I’m leaning up against the counter, needing some space between us so I don’t do something stupid like kiss her.

She leans against the other, then hops up onto it to sit.

I have to say it’s probably the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

I want nothing more than to move my tall frame in between her legs and kiss her like the world’s on fire, and this will be my last taste of her I’ll ever get before everything burns to ash.

My heart beat echoes in my ears.

As if she’s thinking the exact same thing, she asks, “Can I ask you why you kissed me?” Her voice is quiet, and a battle begins deep in my chest, starting with a warrior’s drum beat that leads into a symphony of chaos.

She deserves the truth.

But can I give her that?

I erase the distance between us, my body unable to break the cacophony of madness deep within, and I bring my hand up to brush through her hair, but I stop just before touching her.

“Please don’t stop this time,” she whispers.

Fuck. “I can never deny you anything.” I crash my lips to hers, moving my hands through her soft hair. This kiss should not be happening, but since it is, I’m going to enjoy the fuck out of it. I take my time with her. Exploring each and every part of her lips, nibbling on the corners, prying her mouth open with my tongue.

The fire in my chest only intensifies as the kiss grows. Before long it’ll be a wildfire and impossible to put out.

It feels so damn good when she wraps her legs around me and her fingers pull at my hair, starting at the base of my neck, and roaming all over.

I move away from her mouth, trailing kisses in my wake down her neck, throat, and the smooth skin of her shoulder. My hands explore as well, each one wanting to cover more ground than the other. Both of them wanting to go where I’ve never gone before.

My mind clouds as I keep tasting her skin. As I keep kissing her everywhere. “You don’t know how many times I’ve thought about this exact thing,” I tell her on a whisper.