His dark eyes linger on mine, his expression intense. “I always want you to be real with me.”
“I half-expected you to ask me to meet you somewhere when I sent you that text earlier.” I’d been trying to flirt, but it came out sort of bratty and had a very ‘told you so’ vibe. “You sent me a smiley face. That was it.”
“I was busy.”
Ouch.
“With someone else?” Ugh. I sound jealous. I need to stop.
“With the team,” he stresses.
Oh. I figured he found some other girl to talk to. Hook up with.
“Did you think I was with a girl?” he asks when I still haven’t said anything.
“You have every right to see whoever you want. We’re nothing serious,” I say haughtily, immediately hating my tone. I have no claim on him.
“Because I did talk to some girls earlier,” he says.
My stomach knots up and I’m grateful I didn’t drink any beer. I’d probably puke it back up.
“Are you trying to make me jealous?” I raise a brow, pretending I’m not bothered.
But I am. I’m bothered.
A lot.
“No. I’m just telling you the truth.”
He remains quiet, which drives me crazy. “What happened with those girls?” I try to keep my tone casual, but I’m pretty sure I’m failing.
His arm drops so it’s wrapped around my shoulders. “Wait a minute. Are you actually jealous?”
I lift my chin, secretly enjoying the heavy weight of his arm pressing on me. “Of course not.”
“Can I admit something?”
I turn to look at him and find he’s already staring at me. “What?”
“None of them interested me.”
Those knots start to loosen, and I feel instantly lighter. “Why not?”
“Because I kept thinking about you.”
Oh. The knots are completely undone. I’m nothing but air.
I part my lips, breathless from his forthright admission. “Okay, bu—”
I don’t even get the word out before his mouth lands on mine, silencing me. His lips are soft and warm. The kiss is tame. Honestly? It should be unmemorable. Just our mouths connecting, no tongue involved. Our lips barely parted.
This moment shouldn’t be such a big deal.
But that first touch of his mouth on mine and sparks ignite all over my body. His hand cups my shoulder, gently pulling me toward him. I rest my hand on his thigh to brace myself, startled by the hard, lean muscle beneath my palm. He breaks the kiss first, his gaze lingering on my mouth, his tongue wetting his lips.
Something unfurls within me at seeing his tongue. Something warm and liquid that I want to feel again.
And again.