He had to think rationally, though. Matt tore his thoughts from all that their kisses might have meant to him.
‘Can we just accept this, Hannah? That there’s something between us, but neither of us wants to take it any further. Just let it be.’
She smiled. ‘I guess...yes. I’d like that.’
‘So we’re good? Ready to face whatever’s thrown at us next, and win this thing?’
‘Yes, we’re good. I really want to win too, and we needed to clear the air a little.’
The air between them didn’t feel at all clear. It felt full of all the same heavy anticipation and frustrated longing that had built up over the last month. But they’d acknowledged what they both wanted out of this, and that would stand them in good stead for London, and the finals of Hospital Challenge.
Hannah drained her cup, putting it into the sink. ‘I’d better be going. I think that Sam wants to do the victory dance. Yet again...’
That was his cue to let her go. Matt had every intention of letting her go, but he couldn’t, not just yet. It wasn’t helping that Hannah was suddenly still, her gaze locked with his. Matt had thought that acknowledging this would make it easier to set it aside...
Hannah took one step towards him. ‘Since we both know exactly where we stand now, I’m just wondering whether our own victory dance would be out of the question?’
Actually... No, it wouldn’t. There could be no harm in stepping across the boundaries now, since they both knew exactly what the boundaries were. It gave them permission for a little flirting.
‘Not sure I can manage the wiggle...not the way you do it, anyway.’ Matt allowed himself a step. They were standing close now.
‘We could go for something a little more sensual.’
Matt reached for her, laying his hand lightly on her back. She curled her fingers into his other hand, and he felt her body against his. The effect was electrifying. He took a few slow dance steps, feeling her follow his movements.
‘Like this?’
‘It’s a great start.’ He felt Hannah’s hand on his arm, and as the muscles flexed involuntarily under her touch, she smiled.
Breathless moments, locked in each other’s arms. Matt knew that anyone with any sense of caution would move away now, but he couldn’t. He ached for just one step further.
‘I can’t help wondering...’ She laid her head against his shoulder. Matt knew exactly what she was wondering because he was wondering too.
But before he kissed her he had to hear her say it. Out loud and in words of one syllable. ‘May I—’
‘Yes, you may.’ Suddenly, he was too impatient to let her even finish. Matt raised an eyebrow and she laughed. ‘Kiss me. Then I can kiss you back...’
Maybe that would be an end to it. But he wanted this, even if he couldn’t take any more from Hannah. He wanted to show her that if things had been different then he could have loved her.
She stood on her toes, and he bent, kissing her lips. Just as soft and sweet tasting as he’d imagined, but he hadn’t bargained on the searing jolt of feeling that ran down his spine. Hannah’s hand gripped his shoulder and she gasped as he lifted her up, turning round to sit her on the kitchen counter.
‘Too much...?’
She grinned. ‘Not enough.’
The more he let hunger percolate into his kiss, the better Hannah liked it. He planted his hands on the counter top, on either side of her, leaning forward as she wrapped her arms around his neck. It was sweet and arousing, and he was going to have to stop soon... Not just yet, though.
When he drew back, he found he was still caught in her gaze, and there wasn’t one thing he could do about it. Hannah had to be the one to set him free.
‘I really do have to go.’
‘I know.’ He stole one last kiss from her lips and then lifted her down onto her feet. Keeping his arms around her, he began a long, slow dance that took them out of the kitchen and into the hallway.
‘I like this...’ Hannah laughed and he performed a dip, holding her securely in his arms.
His lips almost touched hers in another kiss but not quite. This had to end soon, but while it lasted he’d squeeze every ounce of delight from it.
He managed to get the front door open without breaking the swaying motion, and then Hannah spun away from him. He raised her fingers to his lips, in one last gesture.