As if I could. “Right. Forgotten. So, as your friend, I’m going to need your number. I’m also going to send you details of a photography opportunity if you want it. It’ll be a nice party at a friend’s country estate. You should be able to get some good photos.” I shrugged. I was hoping to project confidence, but my heart thundered.

“Thank you. But you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. Besides, it makes it easier to stalk you if I tell you where to go.”

She snagged my phone out of my palm and put her number in. When she handed my phone back to me, our fingers brushed. Slowly I tugged her into a hug. A friendly parting hug. Except, after she initially stilled, she sort of melted into me, giving herself over to my care for the next several seconds. And as I locked my arms around her, I knew there was no way I could stay just friends with her. She drew back, and I held my breath as she blinked up at me.

Don’t do it, mate. Your life is way too complicated.

But I never was very good at following the rules. Instead of letting her go, I muttered, “Sod it.” I drew her back into my arms and slid my lips over hers. She gasped softly before she moaned into my mouth. When my tongue slid in to tease hers, she wound her hands into my hair, giving herself over to the kiss.

Fire flooded my veins, overheating my synapses. There was something I was supposed to be doing. Something I had to remember, but all I could focus on was Abbie, her lips, her smell, her taste.

I deepened the kiss, demanding a response rather than coaxing one. My head spun as jolts and sparks of electricity lit my skin on fire from the inside out. My fingers tucked under her T-shirt and played with the skin at her lower back, just as I had while we danced at the party.

She swayed into me, pressing her body against me from breast to hip. I groaned again as my body went rigid as stone. I released her abruptly. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

Hazy, unfocused eyes fluttered open and blinked up at me. “Wh-what’s the matter?” She blinked rapidly as the lights flickered back on.

“You mean besides being so turned on I was giving serious consideration to pinning you up against the wall of the corner shop and finding out how sweet you tasted everywhere? Nothing.” I raked both hands through my hair.

She dragged in several deep breaths, and I fixated on her lips. What the hell was my problem? I’d kissed lots of women. But kissing Abbie was like kissing a live wire. I wanted more of it. To grab hold and never let go. But I waited a beat too long.