Counting On Cole (Wilde Ways #8) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,26
would want to look away from her?
She bit her lower lip. “Was that an important call?”
“Not really.”
“But…it’s after midnight.” She took a tentative step forward. Her toenails were painted fire engine red, and her legs went on for fucking miles. “Was it about the case?”
“No.” Hell. That had sounded like a growl. He tried again, saying, “It was about something I’ll do when the bad guys are caught.”
Her gaze darted to the couch—to the pulled-out sleeper. She winced. “I’m sorry that’s so bad.”
“It’s fine. It’s way better than the floor.”
Her deep chocolate eyes came back to his. “You slept on the floor when you rescued me in LA. After that first night, when I woke you up—”
Her scream had woken him up then. Just like this time, he hadn’t been able to get to her fast enough.
“Back then, you said you didn’t want to leave the bedroom. And when you were there in the room with me, I felt safe.”
“Evie…”
“That’s the thing about you.” She slowly crossed the room until she stood directly in front of him. “You always make me feel safe.”
“I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“I know.” Her smile was wistful. “I used to think you were like some kind of superhero.”
“I’m hardly hero material, and I’m certainly not super.” His buddy James would say he could be a super asshole but…Cole was trying to be different, for her.
Trying to be better.
And that was why his hands were off her and currently clenched at his sides.
“I still want you,” Evie confessed.
His jaw dropped.
“I’m not going to pretend that I don’t. The attraction that I had for you before is still there. And, just, um, judging by your condition, I’m assuming you still want me, too.”
His condition? Ah, yes, the giant hard-on that she probably hadn’t been able to miss. He arched an eyebrow. “Yeah, Evie, I still want you.” Still, always—whatever word she wanted to use.
“But you didn’t do anything about wanting me. You just walked out of the room.”
Bam. His heart thudded hard into his chest. “Do you want me to do something?”
“Back in LA, I had to come to you. I was the one who made the first move.”
Yes, she had been. He’d been the one taking way too many cold showers.
Her head tilted. Her hair slid over her shoulder. “How long do you think you’ll be guarding me this time?”
Her vanilla cream scent wrapped around him. Made him crazy. “I don’t know.”
“Last time, we only made it a week before we had sex.”
Was it hot in there? It felt hot in there.
“I’m not seeing anyone. You already know I lied about Leo.” Evie rocked forward. “Are you? I mean, are you seeing anyone?”
“No.” An instant denial.
She nodded. “I just wanted to know.”
“Now you do.” He waited. Couldn’t drag his gaze away from her mouth.
He heard her breathing hitch. “What do you want right now?” Evie whispered.
Since she’d asked… “I want to take your mouth. I want to see if you taste as sweet as I remember.”
Her eyes flared. “This is a mistake. My brother would say it was a huge mistake.”
“Yeah, well, your brother is a—” Cole caught himself, just in time. “It’s a kiss, Evie. If you want to kiss me, if you want to see what happens when your mouth gets on mine, then let’s do it. It’s not about your brother.” Hell, no, it wasn’t. “It’s not about what anyone else thinks. It’s about me and it’s about you.”
“Right.” She was staring at his mouth now, too. “Me and you.”
He unclenched his right hand. Let it rise. Cupped her chin as he tipped back her head. “It’s just a kiss. Not sex. You might kiss me and decide you don’t want my mouth or my hands on you ever again.” Fucking perish that thought.
“I might. Or you might decide that you don’t want me.”
Oh, that’s a big hell, no. Won’t be deciding that. Ever. “Maybe we should just kiss and find out what happens. That way, we get it over with.”
She nodded. “Maybe.”
But she didn’t move. Neither did he. He didn’t move because he did not want to screw anything up with her again. He was trying to hold onto his control. Trying to do things right this time, trying to show her—
“Fuck it,” Evie breathed. She threw her body against his. Her mouth came toward his.
He took her lips. Took them. Her lips were soft and sensual. And they parted for him…
His tongue slid into her mouth. He tasted her, and