Page 42 of Love Thy Neighbor

It has to be that hindering my inhibitions.

These feelings aren’t real. They’re booze-infused.

That’s why I don’t move when his lips ghost along my throat.

It’s why I lean into his touch.

Why I spin in his arms and wrap my own around his neck.

And it’s the culprit for every stupid action I take.

Like pressing up onto my tiptoes and bringing my mouth just inches from his. Threading my fingers through his always-messy-in-that-effortless-way hair. Pulling him closer.

His burning stare bores into me, hotter than anything I’ve ever felt before. The sweat dripping down my neck isn’t from the dancing or the crowd.

It’s from him.

I press into him. So close I can feel his chest brushing against mine.

Close enough that if anyone were to bump into us right now, our lips would instantly collide.

“Caroline…” he whispers, his lips grazing mine just enough to make me yearn for more, his hand crashing into my hair and holding me still. “What’s happening here?”

I peel my eyes open and meet his hungry gaze.

And just like that, the spell is broken.

I push out of his arms, putting much-needed space between us.

Oh hell.Whatishappening here? What the hell are we doing?

I cover my mouth with my hand, shaking my head.

Then, I run.

“Caroline!” I hear him call after me.

I don’t look back.

I don’t stop running until I’m in the hallway leading to the bathrooms.

Even back here, there are bodies, but at least it’s not as crowded, making it a bit easier to breathe.

And a breath is exactly what I need right now.

I press my back against the wall, the cool touch of the wood just what I need to calm my erratic heartbeat.

I close my eyes, sucking in gulps of air, trying to get a sense of what the hell I was thinking almost letting Cooper kiss me.

Well, technically, I almost kissed him too.

Have I seriously had so much to drink tonight I’m that unaware of what I’m doing?

You wanted him to kiss you.

Another deep breath. A long exhale.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

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