Page 45 of Fresh Tracks
He drops his hands to my waist, holding me tightly. I nip at his bottom lip, prompting another moan to rumble in his chest before his tongue glides along mine, claiming my mouth. My hands run down his neck, over his toned shoulders, and along his back. Suddenly his tight, well fitting t-shirt is far too much clothing between us, not to mention this damn guitar. I can feel the tension in his muscular body, at odds with the passionate kiss. His hands cautiously explore the dip of my waist, his thumbs tracing the bottom of my ribs under my shirt, making me suck in a breath, breaking the seal of our lips.
I bring my lips to his ear, breathing in every bit of him while my heart races.
“Tommy,” I whisper against his ear.
He pulls back and for just a moment, I see the intense, blazing hunger in his eyes, matching my own craving for him. It quickly fades though. Alarm flashes in his eyes and he drops his hands to his side.
“Shit, Grace. I’m-” he starts, before I cut him off, missing the name Rainbow on his lips.
I take my hand off his back, pressing one finger to his lips. “No. Don’t apologize. I kissed you, remember?” I smirk at him, but the alarm in his eyes remains while his chest heaves with labored breaths.
“It doesn’t matter. We can’t do this. I’m your boss. I’m your brother’s friend. I’m fifteen years older than you.” Heruns his hand through his hair, palming his face, but I don’t miss the pained expression. “Fuck. I’m pathetic.”
“I told you, stop with the self-deprecating bullshit.” I stare him down and this time I’m the one not wavering in my convictions. “And who cares? I’m a big girl, Tommy. I can handle myself. I know my limits and I know what I want. I thought you wanted the same thing.”
I reach for his hand, grabbing him by the wrist. He quickly pulls it back and flexes it at his side again like my mere touch pains him.
“I know what I want,” he says, shaking his head before bringing his eyes back to mine. I can see the lingering temptation, but he still looks so torn, like his mind and body are fighting a war with his heart caught in the middle. He stands, trying to create distance between us, but I stand with him. “It’s just not that simple.”
I quirk an eyebrow at him, crossing my arms over my chest, pressing against my still very hard nipples, reminding me just how wound up my body still is. “What happened to all that ‘I don’t hold back when I know what I want’shit? I’m pretty sure you want me.”
“You’re pretty sure I want you? What makes you so certain?” he teases, flicking his brows in question.
Damnit. Am I in over my head here? I don’t want to throw a wrench into our friendship and work dynamic, but I also know I’m right. He just told me as much, except he left thatit’s just not that simplehanging out there with no explanation.
CHAPTER 18
TJ
THAT KISS
The lookthat Grace is leveling on me tells me that even I might have been underestimating her. She’s confident. She’s outgoing, and I know she doesn’t hold back. But she just made a move on me and she’s not backing down. Instead she's flipping the script on me. Now I’m the one on the spot, having to explain why I’m saying no to her.
Only in my wildest dreams did I ever let myself think she’d be interested in me. And now she’s the one looking at me like I’m some indecisive, immature fuck.
Clearly, I’m a dumbass.
“Yeah, I heard that little moan. And I can see it.” Her eyes drop to my waist. I suddenly realize my sweats are not doing me any favors right now hiding my throbbing dick. “So maybe if you get your brain, heart, andthaton the same page, you’ll be a little more sure about what you want.”
Shit. That was harsh, but she’s not wrong. I’ve been internally denying this since we first met. I’m more than interested in her. I just don’t know how to sort this out. I meant it when I said it’s not that simple.
The idea of possibly loving anything ever again terrifiesme. She said I go with my feelings — my heart— and that’s the problem. I’ve never been called to something like I am to her, except music. She already feels like something that will consume me. Hell. She already does. I can’t do anything without thinking about her.
What if I get burned out like I did with music and I wake up one day and that magic is just gone?
Or what if I’m wrong like I was with my ex?
My fears swirl in my head like a storm, making me feel a level of self doubt that I haven’t felt in ages.
I let out a long, labored breath, and look her in the eyes. Those gorgeous, deep green eyes pin me with a look of determination and frustration that no one ever shows me.
“I’m sorry, Grace. I don’t know what to say.”
Her nostrils flare in a long exhale. “You don’t have to say anything. We can just go back to being friends and collaborating. Pretend it never happened.”
I instantly hate those words ‘go back.’ I want this, but I’m too in my own head to think clearly. There’s also no way I will ever forget that kiss.
So I nod and turn to leave, but she grabs my wrist, forcing me to turn back to her.
