Page 48 of Rush

“Only if you answer my question,” he says quietly, eyes searching mine.

“What’s that?”

“That kiss we had at your apartment—do you ever think about it?”

Yes.

His words land like a heavy stone dropped into my stomach. “Brody…”

“I don’t want you to kiss me because you think I’m someone else.”

Those words hit harder than I expect, squeezing my heart painfully. My throat tightens, protest rising, but his thumb brushes gently across my bottom lip, silencing me.

“I care about you, Elena. You know that right?” He pauses, leaning closer, his voice roughening into a low rasp that leaves me shivering.

He’s giving me something rare—honesty, vulnerability.

Heat floods my face, crawling slowly down my neck.

“I want you to kiss me because you want to.” His gaze drops briefly to my mouth, then returns with a scorching intensity. “Because you’re desperate for it. Because you’ve been thinking about it. Thinking aboutme.”

A shaky breath escapes my lips. My heart is hammering, wild and reckless. Broderick’s thumb still lingers on my lip, his palm hot against my waist, branding me through my dress.

His smile deepens, dangerously playful, yet his eyes remain utterly serious, piercing through me with intention.

“And when you do, I’m not going to be able to stop.”

Oh my God.

I suck in a sharp breath, completely undone. Every nerve ending in my body is awake, trembling, pleading to feel his lips on mine. His satisfied smirk tells me he knows exactly the effect he has, and he’s thoroughly enjoying every second.

The silence stretches between us, electric, until I can’t bear it anymore.

“So…you liked when I kissed you?” The question slips out in a desperate plea. I need the confirmation. Need reassurance that all these charged moments aren’t just in my hopelessly horny imagination.

“Yes,” he whispers huskily. “You know I liked it. You know I likeyou,but Elena, I’m not going to kiss you again.”

Panic twists through me.

Though his eyes hold mine fiercely. “Not unless you want me to.”

A dizzying rush of warmth floods my core, and I lick my lips instinctively. My tongue brushing lightly against his thumb—fuck—it sends another jolt of liquid heat between my thighs.

The firmness of his erection presses up against me.

The quickest way to get over one guy is to get under another.Riley’s voice reminds me.

Kiss me.

Every nerve ending in my body screams for it.

I run my fingers through his stubble, cupping his jaw.

“Broderick—” My voice is barely audible, desperation leaking from every syllable as I unconsciously lean closer, aching to close the distance?—

“Mr. Schwartz, the ambassador from Cambodia is on line one—oh my God, I’m so sorry!”

Stacey’s voice slices through the charged moment like a blade, instantly severing the tension. Reality crashes in, sobering and mortifying. I spring off Broderick’s lap, awkwardlysmoothing my dress, my gaze helplessly landing on the undeniable bulge in his pants.