Page 55 of Once Smitten, Twice Shy

The wind shifts suddenly, turning the air cool, and cuts through my ripped-up jeans, a shock to my warm skin. I shiver reflexively.

“Let’s get you inside,” Will says.

I hesitate for a beat, then force a smile. “Okay.” Turning, I unlock the door. Will pulls it open for me and follows me into the vestibule, erasing the distance between us as he opens the inside door for me, too. “Thanks,” I tell him, “Good night—”

“Juliet.”

I freeze, then turn to face him, praying I’m not broadcasting inmy expression how badly I want to climb him like a tree right now and drag him up to my apartment. “Yes, Will.”

He clears his throat. “For the purposes of this being our second practice date…just for the record, hypothetically, I’d want to kiss you goodbye.”

Heat bolts through me. I clutch the edge of the door he’s holding open, caged inside his big arm draped over me, his broad chest so close to mine. “I think…that would be appropriate. Hypothetically.”

He dips his head, his voice softer. “I’d ask of course.”

“Mm-hmm,” I manage. I shut my eyes, because I can’t handle looking at him, because if I do, I’ll grab him by the collar and crush my mouth to his. My heart pounds; I’m mindless with want.

“But,” he says, his breath warm against my temple, he’s so close. “For reasons that I know are obvious to both of us since last Sunday, I won’t. Just know…if I did…I’d kiss you good night so damn thoroughly, you’d see stars.”

“Okay,” I breathe. My knees wobble. I clutch the door’s edge harder and lock my noodle limbs, determined to be strong. Will’s showing me he can resist this. If Will can resist this, I can, too.

In fact, I want to show him I can do even better than not kiss him good night. I can platonically hug him and walk away just fine.

“How about a hug, then?” I offer, opening my eyes, forcing a nice bright smile.

Will peers down at me, silent. Then he steps closer, so the door falls onto his back. “I can do that.”

“Great. Me, too.” I throw my arms around his neck and, in an effort to keep my libido in check, think about some of my least-favorite things—Gorgonzola cheese, mansplainers, dropped ceilings, spiders.

It doesn’t work. His mouth grazes my temple as his nose brushesmy hair. I hear him breathe in deep, like he can’t get enough. I turn my head and let myself breathe him in, too, that clean, herby scent mingled with his warm skin. My fingers curl into his hair.

Will draws me tight against him, his hands wandering lower on my back. I tuck my hips up into his and feel what he’s denying himself, how much he wants me. A groan rumbles in his throat, just as a whimper leaves me.

“I’m going to go now,” he says against my hair.

“Me, too,” I mutter against his neck. “I’m going upstairs. Right this second.”

“I’m walking away.” He sinks his fingers into my hair as our hips rock together. “I’m getting in my truck.”

I clutch his shoulders as our eyes meet. Our noses brush. “I’m in my apartment,” I whisper. “Heading right to bed.”

Bed.The word lands like dynamite between us. We wrench ourselves apart.

Will rakes a hand through his hair. His cheeks are red, his chest moving in big, slow breaths, like he’s trying to settle himself down.

I can relate.

We stare at each other, flushed, breathing heavily. Finally, I make myself take a step back into the hallway.

“Good night, Will,” I say faintly, a smile tugging at my mouth.

He’s grinning, too, looking turned-on and exasperated. He huffs out a breath that’s half laugh, half groan. “Good night, Juliet.”

I turn and rush up the stairs as fast as I can, clutching the railing, and let myself into my apartment.

Falling against the door, I shut my eyes and blow out a slow, thin breath.

I’m so keyed up, I can barely see straight.

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