Page 54 of Shootout
“Jessie.” Banks spoke in a tone that almost sounded tender to my ears, but I had to be hallucinating. I’d be wise to remind myself what a flirt this guy was. I’d fallen prey to seeing things the way I’d wanted to see them before and gotten my heart broken in return.
He put his arm around my shoulders and tucked me against him. “I can read your mind. I want to go. And I want to go with you. I don’t want you worrying your pretty little head that you’ve trapped me into something I don’t want to do.”
“That ship has already sailed,” I noted since I’d trapped him into this fake relationship in the first place.
“You don’t hear me complaining, do you?” His eyes sparkled with mirth, and my gullible heart cozied right up to his.
He was right. I didn’t recall him complaining. He’d sought me out and spent time with me when he didn’t need to. He could’ve easily gone out with the guys or spent time elsewhere. Instead, he’d spent the majority of his spare hours with me.
The damaged soul wallowing inside pointed out he was new to Seattle and needed a friend. I was that friend. That trusting side I’d repressed this past year disagreed. Banks only needed to spend time with me where my brother would notice. But he’d gone above and beyond that, including texting or calling me countless times on the road trip, especially when he was alone in his room. Of course, he’d tried to talk me into phone sex, which I’d also resisted. But again, surely there were countless women in his past willing to give him phone sex or discreet in-person sex. How did I know he wasn’t getting something elsewhere, and was his private sex life any of my business? Still, the thought bothered me.
I was so fucking confused and messed up in my thinking when it came to him. At times I’d fantasized what we had was real, but then memories of Rick invaded, making me feel foolish and gullible.
A girl didn’t go from a multiple-year relationship with a man to falling for another man within a year. At least this girl didn’t.
“What’re you thinking?” Banks tweaked my nose, and his face lit up with mischief. “I hope you’re thinking about stripping me out of my tuxedo.”
I laughed, and he joined in.
“No such luck, eh?”
“You never know.” My smirk was teasing and probably a little too promising.
“We’re going. So find yourself a gown, and we’ll be the best-looking couple at this ball.”
“I’d expect nothing else.”
“Other good news. I’ll be out of my rookie hellhole at the end of the month.”
“I bet you’re looking forward to that.”
“In more ways than you can imagine. Last year, I’d be in heaven living that constant party atmosphere with the rookies. This year not so much.”
“That’s my fault.”
Banks snorted and shook his head. “Nah, it’s not your fault. I’m not into it. I guess I’m finally growing up at the age of twenty-seven.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “You do realize we’ll be living in the same building.”
“I do.”
“Just one floor up.”
I nodded. Certain being that close wasn’t a good idea. My brother would have more of an opportunity to keep tabs on me than he already did, while the temptation would be real. We gazed at each other for one of those time-stopping moments. So many emotions flitted across his handsome face, causing me to realize he was as uncertain about where we were headed as I was. I broke eye contact first.
“I really should be getting home. I work tomorrow.”
“And I have a game.” He stood and helped me into my coat like the perfect charmer he was. Together we walked out of the bar and down the street to the parking garage. He’d driven his SUV this time, and I climbed into the beast. The thing was as luxurious as his car but in a different way. I liked it better. The SUV represented the Banks I knew, while the sports car seemed like someone I didn’t.
Banks didn’t start the engine of what I fondly dubbed “Monster.” He sat behind the wheel and appeared deep in thought. Then he turned toward me and pulled me into his arms. Even though the console was between us, it was padded and wasn’t as uncomfortable as the sports car or a Zamboni when it came to…
I halted that line of thinking. Kissing? Making out? What was it I wanted, and why did I keep sending this poor guy mixed signals? He had a right to be frustrated. Hell, I was frustrated with myself.
He nuzzled my cheek, his slightly bearded jaw sliding across my soft skin like sandpaper to silk. But I loved the feel of his stubble. With a shiver, I recalled how that stubble had felt against my thighs. His tongue on my lady parts had driven me insane with desire. Did I feel such lust when I’d been with Rick? We’d been together a long time, so maybe some of the sparks had gone out. That was to be expected.
Banks made me forget thoughts of Rick as he rained little kisses across my jaw until he reached my mouth. His lips caught mine. Instinctually I leaned into his kiss and welcomed the deepening of that kiss. I should’ve ended things right there, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I wasn’t strong enough. Nor determined enough to stop him.
My hands roamed his back across the ridges of muscles, but his hands weren’t idle. He pulled off my shirt and kissed the swell of one breast while pushing up my sports bra with the other. I moaned with pleasure as his rough palm cupped one and tweaked my nipple. His mouth teased my other nipple, and I arched my back, groaning with pleasure and need.
And I so needed him, so much more of him than I was getting right now. I wanted him to touch me in the most intimate of places. I craved the release only his body could bring. I ignored that little voice that naggingly reminded me we weren’t doing this. It would appear weweredoing this.
