Well, there’s a thought.

I glanced over his shoulder, back at the oversized bay window. The outlines of a few figures seated on the couch were visible. My sense of spite went into overdrive, overruling my common sense.

“Okay,” I said. “Do it.”

Chase looked at me with a gleam in his deep brown eyes. “What? Really?”

“Sure.” I shrugged. “It’s just a kiss.”

I think.

Not like I was going to kiss him back.

Right?

His lips curved into a half smile. “If you insist.”

Nervousness tore through me like a bullet. I tensed, expecting him to get it over with right away. But he kept his arm around my shoulders and guided me several more steps until we came to a stop in front of the passenger side of his truck.

Instead of opening the door, he grabbed my hip and turned me to face him in a slow, deliberate motion. My breath stilled as he stepped forward, fencing me in with his arms. His broad frame surrounded me, engulfing me from the front and sides, while my back was pressed against the metal and glass of the door. Trapped. In the best possible way.

Now that I was within his gravitational field, the pull was impossible to resist. His dark eyes held mine for a moment before falling to my lips. He paused, pulse ticking in the base of his throat. My heart stuttered as I watched him, waiting.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“Kissing you.” His gaze snapped back up to meet mine. “Properly.”

He cupped my face in his hands. My eyelids fluttered shut as he dipped closer and his lips found mine. Without thinking, I parted my lips, and he slanted his mouth against mine, deepening the kiss. He tasted like icy mint and heartbreak. Everything else ceased to exist.

I splayed my fingers against his chest, then grabbed at the fabric of his white T-shirt. A small sound of appreciation rumbled from the back of his throat in response. He slid a hand to my nape and tugged at the roots of my hair, angling my face up a fraction and pressing me against the truck.

I’d never been kissed like this before.

It was like falling.

He pulled back slightly, his lips tipping into a smile, before he covered my mouth with his again. It was playful, questioning. I could have gone on doing this all night—nibbling, tasting, teasing. I’d forgotten why we even started in the first place; didn’t care, didn’t want it to stop.

After another moment, he eased back. My breath was ragged, my heart racing. I was so lightheaded that the truck behind me was the only thing keeping me upright.

“Well,” he said. “I think that was pretty convincing.”

It sure convinced me.

I tried to keep my voice level. “Yeah. I think so too.”

* * *

CHASE

The look on Morrison’s face tonight? Awesome.