Page 49 of Always a Roommate
All I wanted was to pull his face to mine, to take anything he was willing to give, even if it was only whatever scraps were left of him.
This man whom I’d fought with, loved in secret, hated in the open.
This man.
His eyes slid open slowly, meeting mine, and I knew this was it. Our moment. This kiss would mean something more than relief that we’d survived an ordeal.
I waited, my breath coming in short gasps as my heart rate kicked up. Water dripped down my back, but I hardly noticed. Cane barked, and I blocked it out.
The moment froze, the world silenced.
Shane dipped his head, only a breath away now.
And then, someone knocked on the front door.
Shane’s head fell forward, his forehead resting against mine. “We can ignore it.”
I almost agreed, and then I heard, “Rae? Mr. Kelly?”
“He’s here for Cane,” I whispered, placing a hand on Shane’s chest to push him away. The distance was good, it let me collect myself before walking toward the front door.
I clicked my tongue. “Cane!”
He was already up and running the moment I opened the door so he could jump on Trevor.
A grin stretched across Trevor’s face, and he bent to hug the dog. “You gave him a bath! Thank you.” He looked up at me, and I realized, with a tinge of disappointment, Shane would have to wait.
“Looks like he’s not the only one who could use one.”
Trevor’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, well, I was planning to go home tonight. I promise. Just long enough to wash up and get some things.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come in and clean up, get some food?”
He nodded. “I, uh, need to be somewhere.” I wasn’t sure where he could possibly have to go, but I didn’t push. This kid had pride, and there was only so much help he’d take.
“Sure. Take care of yourself, kid. Do you need me to come pick up Cane from the school tomorrow?” I didn’t want him to keep making the hike from here to Gulf City High.
His smile widened. “That would be great.”
We said our goodbyes, and when I shut the door, I turned to find Shane gone, shut up in his room. A part of me knew he needed space after what almost happened between us, what he’d fought.
But the larger part refused to give it to him.
I pushed damp strands of hair over my shoulders and marched toward his door, issuing two swift knocks.
Shane answered it a moment later, wearing nothing but a dry pair of jeans.
“I was just chang—” His words cut off when I pushed him back and stepped into his room.
“We fight, Shane, but I’m done fighting this.” And then, I kissed him, reaching up to grip his bare shoulders.
He was stunned for a moment, but I didn’t stop, and when his arms slid around my waist, I knew I’d won.
Something had become painfully obvious to me in that kitchen. Shane wanted me. He just hadn’t wanted to want me.
His lips warmed my chilled body, searing heat into me. I wanted to be closer, needed to be closer.
It didn’t escape my notice that both our kisses now had been with him shirtless. Someone was smiling down on me. This time, I took full advantage, exploring the curves of his muscles with the tips of my fingers, twisting them in the soft curls of Shane’s chest.
