Page 56 of You Wish
He led her across the floor with one hand cradling hers like this night was preordained. Like they’d been doing this forever. Like he hadn’t walked into her life, ruined her ability to trust properly, and made her feel like maybe—maybe—love could be real. Only to throw a bomb into what had been the most important relationship of her life.
“You’ve gone very quiet,” he said, his voice smooth and addictive. “Which means either you’re planning your exit or trying to figure out how to kiss me without ruining your lipstick.”
“Both,” she admitted.
A devastating grin kicks up on one side of his mouth. “We can do the first one now and save you the trouble of the second.”
Her breath left her lungs in one big exhale. Screw him and that sultry drawl. And his manly hands that fit perfectly where her dress dipped low.
“The other day—” she began, then forgot what she was saying when he pulled her just a little closer.
“The other day, what?”
“Was a spur of the moment decision that complicated everything.”
“Was it?” His cocky tone turned gentler. “Because I’ve got plans for tonight. And tomorrow. And the day after that. If you’re wondering, it includes you. Me. A bottle of wine. A six pack. And your weird obsession with Christmas romcoms.”
“Die Hardisn’t a romcom and I watch that every year.”
“Die Hardisn’t a Christmas movie.”
“Take that back.”
“I like it when you get feisty.”
She told herself to walk away, but her body didn’t get the memo and she swayed closer. “The world is your home. My home base is here. You race cars for a living and date women who go to the Met Gala. Your car costs more than my house.”
“My truck is more my style.”
Didn’t she know it. And that was the crux of the problem. Beneath the façade of Jake “Every Time” Evans was a small-town boy with a soft heart and a big dream. Unfortunately, his dream came between them once. She wasn’t willing to risk her heart again. Especially since it took her years to rebound from the fallout. In fact, there was still a Jake-sized hole in her heart that would never be filled.
“That’s a bit judgy,” he whispered, lowering his head to rest in the crook of her neck. His breath skated down her throat. “Only two of them went to the Met.”
She choked on a laugh and tried not to breathe in too deeply with him this close. But she couldn’t help herself and inhaled the yummy scent of winter nights and very expensive regret.
“We don’t fit. Your life is all about chaos. I need to?—”
“Be in control?” he finished for her. “That’s what makes us compatible. Have you ever heard of opposites attract?”
His thumb skimmed down her bare back, stopping just above the hem of her dress. The room spun off its axis.
“You drive like gravity’s just a suggestion.”
“And you kiss like the world is going to end after your mouth leaves mine.” He feathered his lips down her jawline. “Give me tonight. Just one night to prove we fit.”
The music reached its crescendo and they continued to sway. The rest of her, though? That went absolutely still. Rooted to the spot by the gravity of his voice and the fire in his touch.
“I’m scared,” she breathed.
He dipped her with deliberate grace, slow and sure.
His words broke through the low hush, just as the violins rose. “So am I. But I’m still here.”
His words hit hard. “That’s not fair.”
“Right back at you, darlin’. That dress should be illegal. Now, let’s go home so I can tear it off.”
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