Stud Muffin (Donner Bakery #2) - Jiffy Kate Page 0,68
stark reminder to what zone she’s placed me in and also that she needs me to fill that role.
I want to be Tempest’s friend.
I just want to be that and so much more.
“Thanks for that,” she says after a few minutes as we make the turn onto the road that leads into Green Valley, which means our time together is almost up. “For being my friend,” she adds and I can feel her gaze on me, so I keep my eyes on the road. “You came to town just in time… it’s like the universe knew I needed someone.”
When I turn down her road, I remember the gloves I bought for her, but decide to keep them for our next session.
“So, you’re still on for the class reunion, right?” she asks. “Even after knowing that I went to school with a bunch of assholes.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” I tell her, turning into her drive. “There’s no way in hell I’d let you go alone.”
And that’s the truth. If she’s going to that damn reunion, I’m going with her, if for no other reason than to make sure Asher and his new wife don’t make any trouble for Tempest. I get why she needs to go, but I wish she didn’t feel like she had to. Most people claim that in ten years everyone changes and people who were enemies are friends… and the unpopular people are now part of the in crowd. But some people never change. Change only happens when a person wants something different. It sounds to me like all of these people are still stuck on being the same assholes they were ten years ago.
“Thank you,” she says, unbuckling her seat belt and reaching for the door. “I’m not sure what I’d do without you.”
This time when she turns to look at me, I meet her stare and those green eyes draw me in. When she darts her tongue out to wet her bottom lip, I can’t help staring, wishing I could have a taste… just one.
Maybe there wouldn’t be a spark. Maybe this connection I’ve felt since the night I drove her home from the bar is what Tempest keeps saying… friends. But maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s what I feel deep down in my gut. Maybe it’s more.
Before I know what’s happening, Tempest leans across the seat and her lips graze my cheek… like a friendly kiss, but not. So fucking not. The way her mouth hesitates over my skin, her breath eliciting a groan from the deepest parts of my soul, I can’t help myself.
Just that small gesture has my entire body sparking to life. Letting my mind and any thoughts of just being friends fly out the window, I reach up and cup her face, pausing for the briefest of moments to drink her in, feeling her soft skin under my palm. Sweet. Delicious. Fucking perfect.
When my fingers slide into her hair, caressing the strands like I’ve wanted to on so many occasions, she leans into it, closing her eyes and giving me the non-verbal permission I’m looking for.
My lips brush hers.
Once.
Twice.
And then she’s kissing me back.
At first, it’s soft and slow—tentative. Then, she parts her lips and I deepen the kiss, slipping my tongue against hers. It’s everything I ever wanted it to be and so much more. When her hands grip my shoulders, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer and loving the way her body feels pressed against mine… so good… so right.
Just as I’m getting ready to move her into my lap and devour her, a phone rings.
Tempest jerks back, her eyes going wide as her hand comes up to cover her mouth. She stares at me like a deer in headlights for a split second before she breaks the connection and answers her phone. A bit breathless, she says, “hello,” without looking at the screen, like she’d talk to the devil if he’d give her an out.
When her shoulders go rigid, those fucking walls that I hate so much thud back into place.
Fucking Asher… I have a love-hate relationship with that prick. I love him for fucking things up because I want Tempest for myself. But I hate him for what he did to her and the distrust he planted in her heart. That’s not going to be an easy thing to get past, but I’m not going to stop trying.
Chapter 19
Tempest
Standing in the middle of my empty living room, I’m not sure how to