Page 54 of Score on You

“No, it’s the total opposite. But there’s a problem.”

“What?”

“Now all I’ll be able to think about is kissing you. I won’t be able to rest until it happens.”

“That sounds challenging.” She pauses. “Maybe you should… come over.”

I’m off the couch in an instant. “On my way.”

“Really? That was fast,” she giggles.

“I’m a very motivated man.” The soles of my bare feet scrape against concrete and stone until I stop at the bottom of her porch stairs. “Were you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Then come outside.”

She appears in the doorway a moment later. The glow from the overhead lamp gives her an ethereal appearance. It’s only fitting seeing as she’s the one who restored my faith in genuine goodness. My own personal angel sent from above.

Then my gaze lowers to notice she’s still wearing my jersey. She’s removed her jeans, and the hem hangs long enough to hide whatever she has on underneath. Maybe nothing. That thought, along with the sight of her bare legs, could bring me to my knees. I’d go down willingly.

For now, I go dizzy with need and reach for the railing. The wood creaks from my weight. “Were you already in bed?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to sleep in that?”

Callie fiddles with a patch near the bottom edge. “Uh-huh. It’s very comfy.”

The once-sturdy banister is ripped from the boards. “Shit.”

Her eyes widen as the piece dangles free. “Are you okay?”

“Too soon to tell,” I rasp.

She descends the first two steps and then remains standing on the last one. This puts us at a similar height and within touching distance. Only a few inches separate us either way. I lift my arm slowly toward her waist, giving her plenty of opportunity to dodge my advance. A thrum pulses through me when she doesn’t stop me. On the contrary, Callie sways forward to accept my embrace at her middle.

My fingers clutch at the mesh fabric near her ass while I cradle her face with the other palm. “You’ve never been kissed, huh?”

She gasps and her cheek burns hotter beneath my touch. “No, of course not.”

“But you want to be?”

The stars above reflect in her open gaze. “Yes.”

“And you want to grant me the honor of being your first?”

“Yes,” she repeats.

My thumb tugs at her bottom lip to free the flesh from between her teeth. “Have you pictured this?”

“More often than I should admit.” She tips her chin up as if seeking my mouth.

It takes every shred of my willpower to not surrender. “How do you think it will feel?”

“I’m not sure. Show me,” she urges.

“Tell me first.”

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