“Why not?” He stopped in front of her, and Eric just had to touch her. His hand lifted, and his fingers caressed her cheek. Her silken, smooth cheek.

“Because I remember the kiss.” Her lashes flickered. “I also remember how much it hurt when you turned your back on me the next day.”

No, it hadn’t been like that—

“But I’m not fifteen. You’re not seventeen. We’re adults, and maybe…maybe I want to see if the kiss would still be as good. Maybe it’s time for us both to find out.” Her head tilted back. “It’s a kiss. One kiss. What could it hurt? I mean, we could kiss and realize we don’t have any real attraction. That nothing is between us.”

Bullshit. He wanted her so much his whole body ached. He woke up at night because dreams of her tormented him.

“Let’s just see what happens. Me and you.” Her gaze searched his. “No strings. No promises. Just a kiss.”

His hand slid under her hair. He leaned over her. She was small, barely over five feet two inches, and he towered over six feet. He’d always known he’d have to be careful with her. Use extra care.

Treat her with all the tenderness he possessed…a hard feat, considering how savagely he wanted her.

“We don’t tell Ben about this,” she whispered. “Not yet, I mean. It’s just a kiss.”

His lips pressed to hers. Softly. Carefully. And…

Her mouth opened for him. Her tongue touched his.

Desire erupted.

Just a kiss.

He tasted her, he savored her, and he went wild for her. Her hands curled around his shoulders as she pulled him closer. He could feel her breasts pressing against him. The soft curves. The tight nipples. He could feel all of her—

Eric scooped her into his arms as he kept kissing her. Taking her. Claiming her with his mouth and wanting so much more.

Her legs wrapped around him. His hands gripped her hips and his cock shoved against her—long and hard and thick. Her shirt—his shirt—had ridden up, and his eager dick pushed right against the juncture of her thighs. He should slow down. Slow way the hell down.

But Eric felt like they were going one hundred miles an hour. He kept kissing her. Stroking her with his mouth and tongue.

She’d been great when they kissed before. Now, she was absolutely amazing, and he truly wanted to kick the asses of all the guys she’d kissed since him.

Wasted time. So much wasted time. I should have been with her.