“If you haven’t realized, Scottie, I’m really fucking attracted to you, and I’m trying to give you space. Trying to let you heal.” I kiss the corner of her mouth, causing her to take in a deep breath. “I’m trying to be a goddamn gentleman, but apparently”—I kiss the other corner of her mouth—“you don’t want that.” And then I press my lips to hers, shattering the calm that’s been building between us and twisting our situationship into chaos, because holy fuck, her lips are so soft.

Fucking softest lips I’ve ever kissed in my life.

And this is exactly why I was trying to stay away, keep a healthy distance, because I knew this was going to happen. One taste was all it would take to wake me up and start my craving.

I slide my hand behind her head, cupping the nape of her neck, and cup her ass with my other hand, pulling her in even tighter. Her arms lock around my neck as she kisses me back.

She kisses me back softly, with no urgency, just enjoying the feel of our mouths entwining.

She’s slow, thoughtful, not taking, just receiving.

Which makes me feel even more crazed, even more dazed. Because I’m thrumming inside.

Burning.

It’s as if one touch of her lips to mine was like a bolt of lightning zapping through me, waking me up from a slumber I’ve been in for years.

“Okay, switch,” Sanders calls out as Scottie pulls away.

Jesus.

Slowly, my eyes open as I take in her expression. Her tongue peeks out and wets her lips, making me feel absolutely fucking unhinged.

She gets up from my lap, and before she can walk away, I snag her hand in mine and move over to the next chair. Once we’re settled, Sanders starts the music, and I try to gather myself as my heart hammers in my chest. I pull the card from the side and read it out loud.

“Make out.”

My chest goes heavy as I set the card to the side. Her hand smooths up my chest to the back of my neck, and then she moves her body in close, her breasts scraping against my chest before her mouth connects with mine, but this time, she’s in control.

And this time, she parts my lips, slipping her tongue against mine.

I sigh into the kiss and allow her to control it as I bring my hands to her shirt and slide them under the fabric and right up her back, my palms to her heated skin.

She scoots in closer and tangles her tongue with mine, taking the card incredibly seriously, which creates an inferno between us. And even though we’re in a room where other couples are around us, I can only feel her. I am only interested in her.