First

His lips tighten. Before I can try to convince him further, he’s pulling down the band of my shorts. His breath is warm against my skin. The tickle of his beard sends goose bumps rising on my arms. His kiss is soft, the barest brush over the still sensitive area. I shift a tiny bit, moisture pooling at the juncture of my thighs.

And like that, he’s pulling back, face back to his normal, neutral boredom. ‘Better?’

I can’t even squeak out a response. Not that he cares. He’s already heading back into the kitchen, returning a moment later with our plates. He lifts my legs, sits down, and settles them back in his lap. Just like normal.

Too bad the tingling where his lips touched my skin warns me that normal may no longer exist.

***

It takes me another hour to convince Cat to go shower and head to bed early. She’s holding true to her word, not flinging out sexual innuendos or blatant requests for me to join her under the sheets. It probably doesn’t hurt that her hip had the holy hell knocked out of it. She’s got such pale skin that it’s going to bruise a deep purple. She’s still wincing when she tells me good night and closes her bedroom door.

It’s not too late so I suit up in my running gear. On my way out, I knock on her door. ‘I’m going for a run.’

‘Do you have your phone?’ she calls to me through the wood.

‘Yeah.’

‘See you in the morning.’

And like that, I’m free.

The house is near the college. Even though it’s a weeknight, people are still on the streets, wandering in pairs or small groups. I blast my music and start running, no clear direction in mind. Anywhere that takes me away from the memory of that kiss.

A mile in, I’m still seeing her parted lips and wide eyes as I lift my mouth from her hip. If she’d closed the distance between us in that moment, I would have taken her right there, to hell with the consequences.

I swear and speed up, trying to outpace something I can’t escape. I crossed a line and then I tried to rationalise it. I’m well on my way to lung collapse when my music turns into Jake’s ringtone.

I slow down and answer. ‘How’s Texas?’ I pant.

‘You sound like shit. And what the hell did you do to my sister?’

My knees buckle a little.

Jake chuckles. ‘She said you distracted her and she walked into the counter. Is she okay?’

Thank God. ‘She’ll be fine. Bruised, but that’s it.’

‘Man, I trust you to keep her out of trouble for one week and she’s already a victim of counter warfare.’

I laugh weakly along with him. He updates me on his progress. Officer’s training sucks, but Jake’s got the right attitude for it. The overprotective brother rises in no time. He’s worried about me moving out so soon.

‘Who will Cat hang out with while I’m at work?’

‘I dunno, Jake. Is she even staying local?’

‘Why wouldn’t she?’ he asks suspiciously. ‘Do you think she’s met someone?’

‘I doubt that. You scare off every man who ever shows an interest.’

He says the exact thing I’m thinking. ‘Except for maybe you. Not that you would show an interest.’ He laughs again, clearly dismissive. ‘You and Cat … that’s a picture …’

‘Oh, yeah? Why the fuck is that?’

‘Come on, Dallas. I mean, you’re you.’

I bristle, but can’t deny most people would make the same initial judgement. Cat’s the blonde vision of the American Dream, a successful business major about to graduate. I’m a mechanic with more ties to my tattoos than my family. What could I possibly offer her?

‘Sorry, man,’ Jake says when I’m silent. ‘I didn’t mean to be such a dick. You’re a good guy. I just meant—’