Page 57 of Every Beat of My Heart

“But what about us?” How could something that felt so good be wrong? I wanted him to kiss me again, so that I forgot about all of it.

“What about us?”

“Why can’t we do what feels good? No expectations. No promises. Just feel.” I couldn’t believe the words were coming out of my mouth. I wasn’t a one-night-stand girl or one who got into flings. I was a relationship girl through and through. But I didn’t want to worry about all the complications and issues that could arise from us seeing each other.

The hand in my hair stilled. “Is that what you want?”

I bit my lip, then nodded. This time I didn’t wait for him to make a move; I went up on tip toes, falling against him. His hand went to my hip where he gripped me tight enough that I felt him.

He kept his mouth just out of reach. “If we do this, I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

At that moment, I was trembling with anticipation. “No one will get hurt.” It sounded like a reasonable possibility when I said it. But that was because I wasn’t thinking rationally. My body was saying yes, yes, yes, and I wasn’t going to deny myself when I hadn’t felt this good in forever.

Jameson was hot and burning me up inside.

His lips crashed against mine. This time it was a little wild and desperate. He lifted me so that my legs wrapped around his waist. When his cock nestled between my legs, I ripped my lips from him.

“We can’t do this here.”

He let me down, then stepped away, running a hand through his hair. “That got a little out of hand.”

“I wanted every part of it, but yeah, we’re on my front porch.” I couldn’t believe I’d straddled him where anyone walking by with their dog could see us. Instead of feeling embarrassed, I felt alive. Every nerve in my body was on heightened awareness, my skin was tingling, and my blood was on fire.

“When can we see each other again. Alone?” Jameson’s voice was low as if he was afraid of Owen overhearing us, but I knew he’d have his ear buds on while he worked.

“I’ll have to figure something out.” Because there was no chance I wasn’t exploring whatever this was.

Jameson nodded, his expression tight, his eyes dark.

“I don’t regret anything we just did.”

“I didn’t know if you felt the same way I did.”

“I didn’t either.”

It was like we were just realizing there was something between us that was reciprocated, and it felt amazing to know he felt the same.

The door opened, and I startled even though we weren’t doing anything wrong. “Can you help me with this problem?”

“English?” I asked hopefully, knowing it was probably math.

“Math.” Owen’s face fell. “I know it’s not your thing.”

“I can help with math. That was my major in school.”

I waved a hand at him, grateful to not figure out algebraic equations tonight. “Have at it.”

They went inside, and I sat on the porch, trying to figure out what had just happened. I felt different. As if Jameson had shown me something I hadn’t seen before. Now that I knew it was there, I couldn’t unsee it. I couldn’t walk away.

A few minutes later, the door opened. “I couldn’t find you.”

“I haven’t moved far.” It was cool outside, but my skin was still overheated from that kiss. “You get him sorted?”

“Yeah, he got it quickly. I’m happy to help with math if he needs it. I’m good at it.”

I stood and moved toward him. “That would be great. But don’t feel obligated. You already do so much for us.”

I rested my hand on his chest, and his hand curled around my wrist as if he wanted to keep me there. His heart beat steadily under my palm.

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