“We can’t?” She’d meant it as a statement, but it’d come out a question. Frankly, she was having trouble concentrating with his fingers moving along her skin and that look he kept giving her, the one that said he was three seconds away from ripping the tank top and yoga pants off her body.

He trailed his fingertip along her collarbone, his brow still furrowed as if he were having a stern conversation with himself instead of her. “We’ve made this mistake before. We destroyed a friendship over it.”

She chilled, the words like a bucket of ice water on her desire. “Right.”

He moved his hand away from her and met her gaze. “A lot of things are different now, but some are still very much the same. I’m only in town for a little while, and then I’m leaving again. I won’t stay here.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

He frowned. “I know, but it’s playing with fire, and I refuse to risk us again. Your friendship is more important to me than anything. Even more important than really”—he sighed heavily as his gaze raked over her body—“really, really hot sex.”

She laughed at that, some of the tension breaking. “Three reallys? Wow. Pretty sure of yourself there, huh? You just know it’d be that hot?”

He gave her a smug, confident look. “I do. Because you know what happens when a guy’s first time results in the girl crying, yelling, and kicking him out?”

Her nose scrunched. She hated that she’d been that girl. “What?”

He leaned close to her ear. “He makes sure that going forward, he’s so good at it that the girl will never, ever want him to leave her bed.”

Hot goose bumps prickled her skin at the utter promise of his words. This wasn’t a version of Ash she knew. This was the man, not the insecure boy. This was confidence and edge and sex appeal in spades. This Ash pushed buttons she didn’t know she had. She tried not to sound breathless when she spoke again. “Now you’re just being a tease, Isaacs.”

He glanced down at her tank top, her arousal still glaringly obvious. “Said the pot to the kettle.”

She smiled at the gruffness in his voice. This wasn’t easy for him either, which made her feel better. At least they were suffering together. She dragged her nails lightly down his arm, scraping over his tattoos and channeling a little of her own confidence. “Oh, cupcake, you haven’t seen me in tease mode. I promise, you wouldn’t survive it.”

The heat that flashed in his eyes nearly undid her, melting every bit of her resolve to do the smart thing, but she was not going to be her impulsive self this time. They both knew this was a bad idea. So, forcing back all the naughty thoughts dancing through her mind, she lifted her head and planted a lightning-fast peck on his lips. Before it could turn into anything more, she rolled from beneath him and then to her feet on the side of the bed.