Page 98 of Halo

He blows out a heavy exhale. “I wanted to—believe me, I did. It's just … it didn't feel like the right time."

I tilt my head. “And … when is the right time, cowboy?"

His eyes soften as his knuckles brush against my cheek, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“How about … right … now—”

Cupping my cheek, Nick presses his lips to mine.

His mouth leaves mine for the briefest moment.

I don't let him go.

My fingers tighten around the front of his scrub top as I pull him back to me, kissing him with every stolen glance, every interrupted moment, every mile of restraint we've traveled to get here.

A quiet laugh melts into a soft groan somewhere deep in his throat as his arms gather me closer, and suddenly the space between us disappears.

Goodness …

I part my lips, and he answers without hesitation, the tip of his tongue brushing mine in a slow, tentative tease. My fingers curl tighter in his shirt as his fingers tangle into my hair.

His lips leave mine only long enough to find them again. The gentle scrape of his teeth catches my bottom lip before he kisses me deeper, his tongue coaxing mine into an unhurried dance that steals every coherent thought from my mind.

I match each lick and pull and suck until we're smiling against each other's mouths. Our kisses turn feverish, furiously determined for more.

More warmth.

More touch.

More of what's becoming us.

Nick breaks away to trail kisses along my jaw and down to my chin. His hand tugs at my hair, my head tilting back and granting him more access.

His tongue glides against my pulse point before nipping gently at my skin and—

Oh my gosh …

My breath catches.

My hand slides behind his neck, my nails digging into his skin. “Nick …” I murmur.

His mouth is hot, his tongue tracing in small languid circles across my throat. His large hand grazes my knee before sliding up my thigh.

I need to stop. We—oh my gosh—we can't do this. Not out here. Not yet.

But this feels perfect.

This gorgeous man feels so incredibly perfect.

He lifts me onto his lap, my legs straddling him. His hands find my backside and pull me flesh with him, and—

Whoa.

He's hard.

Like really, really hard.

And he's pressed up against me.