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“Maybe?” she whispers. Downing the rest of her drink in one go, she gets up off her stool and picks up her purse. “I think that’s my cue to go before I embarrass myself any more for one night.” A sense of panic settles in the pit of my stomach, and before I can think better of it, my mouth opens, and words spill out.
“Can I take you home?” Her brow lifts, and when I hear the words repeated back in my brain, I cringe, knowing how they sound. “What I mean is, can I drive you home? I want to make sure you make it home safe.” From the way her eyes narrow and the uncertainty spills from her gaze, I don’t expect to ever see this woman again after tonight. But to my surprise, she nods, blushing once more before smiling, and at that moment, I know everything is about to change.
Chapter 3
Halley
You can cut the sexual tension with a knife as Ian drives me home. The cab of his truck is thick with all the emotions swirling around us, and for once in my life, I want to be the one to do something spontaneous. I want to take what I want when I want it. But that small voice in the back of my brain fills my head, and I remember that I’m an adult, someone with a full-time job, responsibilities, and a life to think about. That doesn’t stop me from dreaming about what Ian’s lips would feel like devouring mine or what those tattooed hands would feel like gliding up under my shirt.
“You okay over there?” I nod, pointing at my building. “You’re quiet.” I smile, knowing he’s right but not having any words.
When Ian pulls over, I don’t wait for him to shut off the engine. I bolt out of the truck, knowing that if I stay a second longer, I would admit how much I want to kiss him, and that would lead to a discussion I don’t know if I’m ready for.
“Halley!” Ian yells, jogging around the front of his truck and grasping my wrist lightly, stopping me in my tracks. “What’s wrong?” When I turn to lie and say it’s nothing, I see the concern painting over those gorgeous eyes, and my shoulders sag.
“I don’t want to say,” I admit, hoping that’s enough because the thought of admitting anything else causes hives to break out over my chest. I expect him to let go, walk away, and never see me again, but he doesn’t. Instead, he laces my fingers with his and pulls me flush against his chest.
“You know what I think?” he whispers, his lips grazing the shell of my ear and causing goose bumps to spread across every inch of my body. I shake my head, my eyes falling closed as the lips I’ve spent the past few hours fantasizing about kiss their way down my neck. “I think that you’ve been thinking about kissing me for the past few hours, just like I’ve been thinking the same damn thing.” My intake of breath shudders through my chest as I try to control my limbs. “And as much as I want to take you upstairs and show you just how much you’ve been tempting me, I know you’ve just broken up with your boyfriend, and I’m not that guy.” My eyes snap open, locking with his.
“What?” Breathless, I try to come up with something more to say because I know he means to be the good guy here, but the more he says, the more I want to jump him right here.
“Halley, you walked into my bar as if I drew you myself. You are everything I want, yet tonight is not the night to do this. I can tell by the fear in your eyes that you’re not ready for what I want, and that’s okay. I’ll bide my time.” He winks and kisses me on the cheek before walking away, back toward his truck. It’s then that the sense of panic sets in. The thought of never seeing him again settles under my skin and festers, and I know I can’t let him walk away.
I’ve been locked in a relationship that left so much to be desired, and right now, I want to be the girl I always wanted to grow up to be. So I take one more deep breath before running after Ian, mirroring his move and grasping his wrist right before he reaches his truck. He spins, pushing me up against the side of his truck, and before I have time to explain what I was doing, his mouth is on mine.
I thought I knew what kissing was. I thought I knew what passion felt like once it wrapped itself around you, but this kiss from Ian blew everything I thought I knew out of the water and left me breathless.
“Thank God,” he mutters against my lips before taking them once more, his fingers digging into my hips as he pulls me flush to his chest. “You have no idea how much I fought myself to keep from taking you in my truck on the way here. How much I wanted to taste these lips while you were sitting in front of me looking like you came right out of every fantasy I’ve ever had.” I groan, my arms circling his neck as my leg lifts and hooks around his hip. His hand immediately grasps my thigh, lining his hard cock up to grind perfectly against my heat.
“Come upstairs with me,” I say breathlessly, almost like a prayer, and when I’m met with silence, I open my eyes only to be met with hesitancy.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he warns, placing a soft kiss on my lips. I try to take it further, but he lets go of my leg before taking a step back. “Don’t get the wrong idea here, babe. I want you so bad that my dick is literally screaming at me right now. But can you honestly say you’re ready for all of that tonight?” My hesitancy is enough for both of us, and my shoulders sag in defeat.
“I’m sorry.” Humiliation settles deep within my bones, and before I can wallow in it, Ian is there, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
“Halley, I like you, and I want to see where this goes, but I need you to be sure.” God, it’s like he was drawn just for me.
“What if I can’t give you more than this?” I question, nerves plaguing my stomach as I search his eyes for a clue as to how he’s feeling. “What if I can’t do the relationship thing?”
“So you want to be friends with benefits?” he teases, and I smile, lowering my head to his chest as my fingers grasp the sides of his shirt.
“To be fair, we aren’t even really friends.” He gasps, his hand resting over his heart as if I’ve just insulted him. But his full-on smile gives his true feelings away, and I laugh.
Ian locks eyes with mine before lowering his lips in a sweet kiss that I know will linger for hours after he leaves. “I can handle just the benefits...for now.” He winks and makes his way to the driver’s side of the truck. “Come to the bar when you’re sure this is what you want. I’ll be there every night this week.” I nod, watching as he drives away.
Chapter 4
Halley
“Are you sure getting with someone right after a breakup is a good idea?” It’s been a few days since the night with Ian, and I haven’t been able to get him out of my head. So naturally, I tell Jade, my best friend, that we need to do lunch because I need to talk it out.
“I know it seems fast.” She gives me that no shit look, and I laugh. “But he makes me feel things I have never felt before in my life. Jade, that kiss was…” My eyes drift off, and I try to think of a way to describe it. “Colossal.” Yet even that word doesn’t seem adequate.
“I still think it’s too soon.”
I roll my eyes. “Prude,” I joke, seeing a flicker of something behind her eyes, but before I can question it, our server arrives to take our order.
“Halley, you just broke it off with Brad after you’ve been with him for over three years. Do you really think you’re over him after just a few days?” She has a valid point, one I’ve said to myself over and over again when thinking about Ian.
