Page 8 of Wrecked
For a few minutes he’d felt normal, whole. Had reveled in what it would be like if Piper was his.
But she didn’t feel that way for him. How could she? No, Piper was the kind of woman who made the people around her feel good, no matter who they were. She’d always been that way. Even when she was in high school she’d been sweet to everyone. It never occurred to her to ignore kids who might be considered outcasts or unpopular like others did. She’d do anything for her friends and family, even at the expense of what she wanted or needed. Tonight was a prime example. He’d watched her run herself ragged making sure Alex and Deke’s day went off without a hitch while everyone else drank and had a good time.
Then there was the way she’d been with him.
“Cole?”
Shit. “I’m just…” The fabric had rolled down, so he had to unravel the bit at the small of her back.
Piper reached up and brushed the soft, wavy length of her blond hair to the front of her shoulder. The silky mass whispered across the back of his hands, and he had to clamp his mouth shut so he didn’t groan out loud.
His every nerve felt alive, oversensitive, zeroing in on the tiniest bit of contact with the voluptuous woman in front of him. As he attempted to work the zipper down, his fingers brushed against her velvety skin, and he had to fight not to take more, not to run the backs of his fingers over her supple flesh—or bend forward and taste the tempting spot between her shoulder blades.
The zipper started to work loose, and he let out a shuddery breath as more of her pale skin was exposed to his hungry gaze. He could see the way her waist cinched in, then flared out to full, rounded hips. And at the very top of her ass were two, perfect, sexy dimples, just above each cheek. God, he wanted to slide a finger lower, run it along the tempting crease.
“I think that should do it,” she said shakily.
He couldn’t speak as she wriggled, dragging the gown back up to cover her large breasts. Fuck. He was this close to losing it completely. This close to wrapping his arms around her, taking those heavy mounds in his hands, and testing their weight.
He swiped the back of his hand across the side of his mouth, almost expecting to find drool.
“Do you mind zipping me back up?”
Yes, I fucking mind. Taking a few deep breaths, he stepped closer, and making sure to touch nothing but the fabric this time, he dragged up the zipper.
Piper turned to face him, hands clutching the top of her ruined dress, her color high. The woman was so damn lovely he could barely look at her. “You’re a life saver. Can I still borrow the jacket? I’m not sure how long this will hold.”
“Of course.” He picked it up and wrapped it around her shoulders. She slipped her arms in the sleeves, which were way too long. Before he could stop himself, he’d lifted her hands and rolled the fabric back. “If you have any more trouble, just let me know.”
“Oh…I…” Her mouth dropped open, then snapped shut.
He hastily added, “I can give you a ride home, if you want to leave.”
Her gaze darted away, and she looked down at her fingers. “You don’t have to do that.”
Her obvious reluctance to be alone with him, to get in his vehicle with him, helped clear away the lust that had been thrumming hard and relentless through his veins. The spell of being alone with Piper, of touching her, had done a number on him. Made him forget. Even if just for a few seconds.
Glancing up, he caught his reflection in the mirror. No, he would never be the man he used to be. A real man could get behind the wheel of a car without almost suffering a panic attack. He certainly didn’t wake in the night drenched in sweat, screaming. And he could damn well dance with a beautiful woman without freaking out.
“Most of the guests have been drinking. But if you’d prefer another driver, I’ll ask around.” His voice sounded resentful to his own ears, and he hated it.
Her gaze shot up, soft blue eyes sharpening, then narrowed. “Oh, for Christ’s sake.” She flapped her arms in the air, sleeves unraveling.
Could she be more adorable? Even pissed she was cute. She looked sexy drowning in his jacket, her hair wild around her face like she’d just rolled out of his bed.
“Cole?” she barked, snapping him out of it.
He wanted to wrap his fingers around the back of her neck and drag her in close, kiss that frown off her soft lips. “What?”
“Stop doing that,” she said.
“Doing what?”
“Assuming you can read my mind. I’m not worried about getting in a car with you. I trust you.”
That feeling, like a vise tightening in his chest, started up again. “I can tell you’re nervous being alone with me. You’re uncomfortable now.”
She wrapped her arms around herself. “You’re right. I am nervous.”
