I shook my head to object, and she leaned forward to kiss me. I couldn’t react, the panic and fear were holding me hostage. There was so much tension in my body, I thought I might explode if I didn’t do something. I just couldn’t make myself do either option—stay or go, they both seemed impossible.

But then Kiera lightly ran her tongue along my lip and something else started to break through the conflict within me. A trickle of desire began melting the ice. My jaw dropped, my mouth relaxing, and Kiera sucked on my bottom lip. My eyes fluttered closed as I absorbed the sensation, the flash of white-hot need. She dipped her tongue inside my mouth, and I shuddered as I shifted to find her lips. More.

Our mouths moved together, and all the anxiety inside me evaporated in the sudden heat. I couldn’t even remember what I’d been worried about. She was my only thought. My hand went to her cheek, pulling her into me, deepening our connection. Her hand went to my chest, and she gently, but firmly pushed me away from her. I stared at her through a fog of desire, and she bit her lip as she studied my face. I want you.

She tilted her head toward somewhere outside. “Come on, people are waiting for us. Let’s go say hello.”

It took a second to release the rampant desire running through me. Once my head was clearer, I was floored by what she’d just done to me. And a little proud. Even though I wanted to grin at her for successfully distracting me, I put on a playful frown. “You turned me on…that’s cheating.”

She laughed as she got out of the car. When I got out as well, she shook her head at me. “When do I ever not turn you on?”

My smile broke free. Exactly, Kiera. It’s about time you owned that fact. Closing my door, I told her, “Well, finally, you understand the problem that has plagued me from day one.”

She held out her hand for me, and I eagerly joined her. “Yes, I do,” she murmured. Then she leaned up and nibbled on my ear. Jesus. Did she want me to be rock hard when I walked in there? I guess she did, because right after that, she added, “And I’ll fix your little problem later, I promise.”

Damn. This girl was going to be my undoing. And I couldn’t think of a better way to go.

Not caring about anything but taking her home, I grinned and pulled her toward the bar. “Let’s get this over with then.”