Rebound - Marie Johnston Page 0,3

I figured it was best to have a way home.”

Kane climbed out of the booth and held his hand out to her. He just wanted to walk her to her car. What would it hurt? Accepting his offer, she slid her hand into his warm palm and tried to ignore the tingles that moved along her arm, through her body, and settled into a steady thrum throughout her core.

Reluctantly letting his hand go when they exited the restaurant, she led the way to her car. She felt like she was a nervous chatterbox until she got to her little compact car and turned to say her good-byes. Maybe they could exchange numbers? Maybe. It was ridiculous, he was just there for Fleet Week, probably didn’t live anywhere near New York.

Kane stopped right in front of her and her breath caught in her throat. Terrified he was going to follow through and kiss her, but even more worried he wouldn’t, she leaned into him and he slowly dropped his head for a kiss.

Wow. Just wow. He tasted like man, and beer, and she was completely intoxicated. Allowing him to deepen the kiss, she was glad she had worn heels so she didn’t have strain to reach him, instead she easily wrapped her arms around his neck as he encircled her waist.

This was no chaste kiss, no routine make out session, this was becoming the most passion-fueled embrace she’d ever experienced, ever thought possible.

His hand ran up her back, hugging her close, while the other stroked her hip and butt, and damn her clothes for being in the way. Damn his clothes for getting in between her hands and his solid chest. And as long as she was at it, damn being in public.

An irritating chime was breaking her concentration of how to stroke his tongue and nibble at his lips. She felt Kane murmur against her lips, “I think you’re ringing.”

“I think I’m vibrating, too.” His eyes burned even hotter at her innuendo. Damn her phone. She ignored it, but the spell was broken.

“Do you need to check it?”

“Nope,” she said confidently. It was probably David and well, he’d had his chance. “I do need to get going though.

Disappointment flickered in his eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me for a nightcap. My room’s not far from here.”

No, she wasn’t sure she wanted to miss out on a nightcap with him. But cursed with being responsible, she couldn’t bring herself to go home with a stranger the same night she ended a serious relationship. An amazingly hot, charming stranger. Who was only going to be in town for a few more days. Sigh…

“I can’t, I’m sorry.” The regret in her voice was embarrassing. “I work pretty early.” If you call nine-thirty early.

“Then I’ll have to talk you into meeting me for supper Friday night. As long as you don’t mind me wearing the same clothes? It’s the only outfit authorized while I’m on liberty.”

“Liberty?” Olivia was trying to catch all the odd phrases he used.

“It’s a short amount of time we’re free to roam around, as long as we get our asses back to the ship on time.”

Quickly choosing a place where there was more to do than just a meal, so she could have more time with him if she decided not to jump into his bed that night either, she accepted his offer before her responsibility curse plagued her again.

Exchanging numbers, he leaned down to give her a lingering kiss and watched her drive away.

Chapter Two

“Olivia, do you have any idea what time it is?” Olivia’s best friend Bethany demanded. She lived in Atlanta and was in the same time zone.

“And you’re awake aren’t you?”

“Of course, but what are you still doing up? My eighty-year-old grandma keeps later hours than you.”

“Your grandma plays bingo until midnight, then goes home with the biggest winner.”

“She can’t drive at night because of her cataracts,” Bethany defended Grandma Millie. “Did you and David have a late night watching both Wall Street movies back to back?” When Olivia didn’t defend David at first, Bethany picked up on it instantly. “Spill it, bitch.”

Olivia rushed through describing her night, including the kiss and the plans for Friday night. “What do I do, Beth?”

“I fail to see what the problem is.”

“Beth!”

“I’m serious. You haven’t been happy with David, he chooses his work over you. A hot guy chooses you, and even though you turned him down for a sleepover, he still wants to see