Page 99 of First Chance

I’ve never cuddled with a man, but Lochlan’s arms will ruin me for all others.

I’ve seen this movie a hundred times, but I don’t recall a minute of it. I’m solely focused on how our bodies are molded together.

His hand resting on my hip is searing me like a brand, and I spend a considerable amount of time slowing my breathing so my pulse doesn’t give away my nerves.

“I hope that was the perfect ending to our fucked up day,” he remarks once the credits roll.

“I don’t know, it hasn’t been all bad,” I whisper, shyly, not brave enough to look at him when I say it.

He cups my cheek, turning my face. “You were almost ripped out of my arms by a tornado. It was fucking terrible,” he insists.

His lips are so close, I can’t help but stare at them, desperately wishing he would kiss me. But, he doesn’t.

“You should get to bed,” he murmurs, tearing his eyes away from my mouth, too.

My entire being deflates. “You’re right, today does suck,” Ihuff, jumping to my feet. The rejection stings no matter the reason for it, and I don’t want him to see how badly it affects me.

“Jo,” he pleads, catching up to me on the porch.

“Goodnight, Lochlan.”

“Don’t leave when you’re upset.”

“I’m not upset,” I lie, staring out over the porch railing.

“I told you I couldn’t let your first kiss be a fake one.”

“Then don’t let it be fake.”

“What?”

“God, Lochlan, do you want me to beg? As if I’m not humiliated enough.”

He steps up behind me, gripping the porch railing on either side of my hands, leaning in with his head next to mine.

“I don’t want you to beg, darlin’, but I want to be a man who deserves you,” he whispers, breathing me in when I nuzzle into his neck.

“You deserve the world.”

“I don’t believe that, and neither should you.” He takes a step back, and it rips the lid off of my tamped-down emotions.

“You told me that I was the smartest person you know. Were you lying?”

“Of course, not.”

“Then take my word for it, and kiss me.”

He turns to look at me, but doesn’t take a step in my direction, and my chest heaves. “Dammit, Lochlan. Kiss me!”

The rumble of his inner turmoil escapes his chest as he erases the distance between us, threading his fingers into my hair at the nape of my neck, stealing the air from my lungs.

His forehead battles mine as the war rages behind his eyes and the muscles in his jaw strain against his indecision.

“I won’t ask again. If you walk away from me now, I’m not giving you another chan– ”

He claims me fiercely, his mouth capturing mine with enough force to send electricity through my entire body.

His lips are soft despite his intensity, molding against mine as if they were made of the same pattern. The fullness of my bottom lip is cradled perfectly in the seam of his and I feel the soft tug as if he wants to suck it into his mouth.

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