The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,26
place to land at the end of a plummeting fall.
Gray savored the sensation, nipping at the corner of her mouth and then tracing his tongue along the seam of her lips. It had been a long time since he’d kissed a woman this way. Had he ever experienced this kind of kiss? It could go on forever, and he’d never get enough of the teasing exploration.
She cupped his face, then moved her hands to the back of his neck, gently pulling him closer. Oh, yeah. Avery was a woman who liked to be in control, and he let her take it.
So much of his life was responsibility and managing things, from his life and Violet’s to ongoing custody negotiations with his ex. There was the work at the station and dealing with his family. So much.
To give sway to someone else and let himself enjoy the ride was another kind of gift. He kept his hands at his sides, knowing that if he touched her, his need might get the best of him. This was too good to hurry.
They kissed like people with no past or future, totally enveloped in the moment and the pleasure of each other. She smelled like shampoo, not expensive perfume, and tasted sweet and tangy from the margaritas and cookie dough. Their tongues mingled as she deepened the kiss, and finally Gray couldn’t stand it any longer. His whole body tingled with the need for more. He lifted his hands, first sifting his fingers through the long strands of her light hair before wrapping his arms around her back.
A moment later she was in his lap, and the weight and warmth of her set him on fire. She fit perfectly against him, her soft curves dulling his edges. They’d grown and multiplied since the heartbreak of his ruined marriage until he didn’t recognize himself as anything but a flinty automaton. He’d forgotten how good it felt to hold a woman in his arms. Or maybe he’d blocked out the bone-deep knowing because it was too difficult given the bleak state of his love life.
Avery was a revelation. How could a woman who looked so uptight kiss with such abandon? He never wanted this moment to end.
As if she recognized the force of his desire, and how close he was to losing control, she wrenched her mouth from his and scrambled off his lap.
“Mistake,” she whispered, her eyes wide and panicky as she moved away, tripping over one of the chair legs.
He wanted to contradict her but couldn’t make his mouth form a retort. The word ricocheted through him like a bullet tearing through layers of flesh. Stacy had called their marriage a mistake on the night he’d moved out of the house they shared. But he’d known what she was really saying. He was the mistake. She’d been wrong to get involved with a man whose background and future were so different than the life she wanted for herself.
Avery was new to Magnolia, but it was clear she didn’t belong in the close-knit town. Or his life.
His bed might be a different story, but Gray had never been a fan of casual sex. He was wired for commitment. Too bad that intrinsic need came back to bite him in the ass every time.
“It’s not a big deal,” he said, rising from the chair. “I’m a single dad with no social life. You’re drunk. We kissed.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “Are you saying you used me?”
“I don’t think we got far enough for a claim like that on either side.” He wanted to touch her again but forced himself to offer a casual smile. “Keep it in mind, though, the next time you go drinking with your sisters. You know where to find me.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
He could tell by the way Avery’s chin trembled that emotions were starting to get the best of her. He understood and couldn’t blame her. She wouldn’t want to break down in front of him, and he wasn’t going to push her over the precipice. As much as he wanted to offer comfort, he flashed a cocky smile.