Page 58 of Holding Ground

TWENTY-TWO

Elliott

The moment my lips touch hers, I know I’m fucked.

I lick the seam of her lips, tasting her for the first time. It’s what I imagine taking a hit of heroin must be like—a rush coursing through my veins, igniting a euphoria I’ll be chasing for my entire life. No kiss will ever compare.

I thought this kiss was something to get out of my system, but now I’m pretty sure I never want to live without knowing I can kiss her whenever I want.

Emelia wraps her arms around my neck, and I tug her close. The press of her breasts against my chest feels so good, I want to strip off her shirt and bury my face in her chest. But we’re not there yet, so instead, I tighten my grip on her hair.

I swallow her moan, using my hand to tilt her head further back, and let my other hand drift down to her backside, pulling her in close. My dick presses against the zipper of my jeans, begging to be let out. I bring her leg up around my waist, and she grinds against me.

Our tongues battle for dominance, and in the end, I win, directing the rhythm and pace.

There’s a chill in the air, but my body feels as if it’s overheating.

It would be so easy to lift her by the hips, walk her into my room, strip her, and take out the weeks of sexual frustration she’s caused me. And I want that. Fuck, do I want that. But there’s more than myself to think about, so I pull back.

Emelia’s lips are swollen, and her eyes are wide, full of trepidation. I have only myself to blame for that look. I’ve been the king of stepping back this entire time.

Because I was scared of this moment. This is our first kiss, and I realize the thing that’s been brewing between us wasn’t going to just go away. And now we’ve done it. We’ve crossed the line.

It’s a gut punch that she just had the nerve to call it out, not me. I was going to ignore it for the next two months, no matter how feeble a chance there was of my being successful. Whatever is between us was bound to boil over at some point.

“That’s been a long time coming.” I place a chaste kiss on her forehead.

Her eyes drift closed, and when they open again, her body seems at ease. “Definitely.”

“I think we should talk about this before it goes any further.”

She nods.

“I’m not sure what this is between us.” I blow out a breath and scrub my hand over the stubble on my jaw.

“I’m not sure either.”

“I’m attracted to you…obviously.”

She nods again, a smile tipping her lips. “Same.”

“But I haven’t really been with anyone since Kate.”

Her mouth slowly falls open. “Do you mean you haven’t dated anyone, or you haven’t slept with anyone?”

God, I’m about to sound like a fucking loser. “Both.”

Her eyes widen, and she gives me the once-over. “How is that possible?”

I shrug, unsure how to explain it. There were times I wanted to, but I have a little girl to raise, and other than tourists, this town doesn’t get many newcomers. And the camp keeps me busy the entire season when tourists come through.

“Elliott, you’re so handsome, and you’re like the best dad, and you’re a good guy…I guess I just don’t understand how no woman has approached you in five years.”

My brows draw down. “I didn’t say no one has approached me.”

Understanding flows across her face. “I see. You just weren’t interested.”

“I was interested—obviously, it’s been a long time. But I wasn’t interested in any drama. It’s a small town, and running into someone I had a one-night stand with all the time isn’t exactly ideal. And there was no way I was going to get into a relationship with anyone, so…” I shrug.