He was staring at her mouth like…oh, no. No way. Her hands flew up. Her intention had been to put her hands on his chest and push him back. But when she touched him, when she felt the strength of his muscles through the shirt and the heat of his body, Piper didn’t shove him back.

How much does the guy work out?

His jaw hardened. “We’re going to need to clear the air between us very soon, Piper. Very, very soon. Because I’m not standing back any longer. There’s too much to lose.”

There always had been.

“Get some rest. We’ll talk in the morning.” His eyes were still on her mouth.

And she was still touching him.

Coming to his place had been a serious mistake. She’d stay the one night—just the one—and then other arrangements had to be made.

“Do you ever think about it?” Eric asked, voice all deep and dark and rumbling.

Her gaze had zeroed in on his mouth. At his words, her stare whipped right back up.

“Our kiss? Your first kiss? Do you think about it?”

She shook her head. It was easier to lie if you didn’t have to speak. She’d learned that long ago. When she spoke and told a lie, her voice always cracked. So, it was much better for her to just stay silent.

“I liked being your first.”

Push him away.

She did not want to remember their kiss. That long ago, stupid mistake. She’d been fifteen, he’d been seventeen. It had been raining, and they’d gotten stuck at school. She’d been working on an art project—like always—and, hell, she had no idea why he’d stayed so late that day. Maybe basketball practice or something? But she’d gone outside and instead of walking home, she’d stood underneath the overhang as the rain had poured down. She’d been trying to wait out the storm.

Then she’d turned around and Eric had been there.

“Piper?”

She swallowed. “I don’t see the point in talking about mistakes.” Her voice didn’t crack. She wasn’t lying. It had been a mistake. And one of the few secrets that she’d never told Ben. “Good night.” Now her hand did push against his chest.

He backed up. Turned away.

She could breathe again.

Until he glanced back at her, a faint smile on his face. “Funny. That mistake was the best kiss of my life.”

She actually felt the shock roll through her. No way. He had not just said—

“Of course, I could be mistaken. It was a hell of a long time ago. Maybe we should try again one day. See if the present is better than the past.” He winked at her. “Or maybe you’ve gotten even better since then.”

She felt pinpricks in her face.