Scandalous Engagement

And that’s where they clearly disagreed. There wasn’t a better idea, in his opinion.

“You weren’t complaining a minute ago,” he reminded her—just in case she’d forgotten. “In fact, you were enjoying yourself, if I recall.”

Her gaze darted away for a split second before she glanced back to him. “A minute ago, I was sidetracked by, um...”

“My slick moves?” he asked with a smile.

Her eyes narrowed. “Does your ego need to be stroked? I could’ve kissed anyone and gotten carried away. My eyes were closed, you know, and I happen to like kissing.”

Jealousy consumed him as he closed the distance between them. He had her wrapped in his arms and falling against his chest. Her hands flattened on him as her focus was directed straight at his face.

“You think you’d react that way to just anyone?” he asked, tipping her back just enough so she had to cling to him. “Don’t throw other men in my face, Josie. I might prove you wrong.”

“But...we’re friends, Reese.”

Something in him softened at her tone, which was laced with confusion—as well as curiosity and desire.

“We are friends,” he murmured, closing the space between their lips. “Very, very good friends.”

Because this was Josie, he wanted to take it slow. He wanted her to recognize this insistent attraction and come to terms with the fact that they had already crossed the friend line. They might as well fully explore this passion.

True, everything surrounding them was in total chaos. But if they didn’t take the chance now when they were thrown together, then when would they?

“Reese.”

His name slid through her lips as she closed her eyes and tipped her mouth to his. As if he needed any more invitation than that to claim what he so desperately ached for.

Reese wanted her out of this little black dress, he wanted her hair messed up, and he wanted to be the cause of every bit of her chaotic, sexy state.

He’d never wanted a woman so bad in his life.

Her hands came up to his shoulders; her fingertips dug in. Didn’t she know? He’d never let her fall.

Reese lifted her up firmly against his body as he spun her around and sat her on the edge of the table. She eased from his kiss and locked her gaze with his. He waited for her to stop him, all the while praying she’d let him continue. Touching her was like a drug he hadn’t known he was addicted to and now he couldn’t get enough.

He reached up to the strap of her dress and eased it down her arm, taking her bra strap with it. Josie trembled beneath his touch and he had to force himself to keep this slow pace. She wanted him, wanted this—that much was evident in her heavy-lidded stare and flushed cheeks. Not to mention she wasn’t telling him no.

Keeping his attention on hers, Reese slid the other straps down, earning him a swift intake of her breath as she raked her tongue across her lower lip. There was no way she could imagine the potent spell she held over him—he hadn’t even been sure of it himself until now.

Josie shifted and braced her hands on the table behind her, quirking a brow as if daring him to stop. Damn, this woman was silently challenging him in the most delicious way.

Reese started to lean in, more than eager to get his lips on that velvety skin of hers.

“Reese,” she whispered.

He stopped, his hands braced on either side of her hips.

“As much as we both want this, tell me it won’t change things.”

The plea in her tone, in her eyes, had Reese swallowing the truth—because things had already changed. The dynamics of their relationship had started changing the moment he knew he wanted her, which, if he was honest with himself, was years ago. She was just finally starting to catch up.

“You’ll still be my best friend,” he answered truthfully.

He settled his lips over hers as he grazed his hand up her bare thigh and beneath the hem of her dress. She shifted and rocked back and forth slightly to give him better access.

There was nothing he wanted more than to pleasure her right now. To pour out all of the passion he’d been storing up just for her. No woman could ever compare to Josie—which was why he refused to lose her in his life. Yes, intimacy would change things, but maybe it would make them even closer.

Reese feathered his fingertips along the seam of her panties, earning him a soft moan and a tilt of her hips. But the moment he slid a finger beneath the silky material, he was the one eliciting a moan.