Page 60 of Hold Me Until Morning

Everyone except for Cody who shifted his focus my direction.

I could feel those eyes on me as I pressed my lips to the sugared rim before I tossed the lemon drop back.

Could feel them as I swallowed the intensely sweet concoction down, one that left a burning wake of fire in its path.

Could feel them as a full-body shiver tore through me.

I squeezed my eyes closed as I was hit with a thousand different sensations.

The rush of alcohol swept through my system and spun my head a fraction, a buzz washing me through, but I had to wonder if it had more to do with the man sitting next to me than anything else.

Intoxicating.

Overwhelming.

All-consuming.

His voice was rough when he leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Can’t help but wonder if that is your exact expression when you come. Because you, darlin’, look like ecstasy.”

Shock popped my eyes open.

I attempted to play it off like I was unaffected. Like he didn’t make me quiver with this lust that I’d all but forgotten existed.

Too bad every inch of me was trembling when I turned to him.

The world faded around us, the sound of the room a drone as I stared at him.

“I thought I told you that you’d do well to look somewhere else?”

“I can’t help it if you’re the most interesting thing in the room. I’m finding it hard to look away.”

I searched around in myself for defenses and found them lacking.

Reserves close to depleted.

Still, I tried, though the words were wispy. “The only reason you think that is because I’m a new face. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get bored soon enough.”

He was just…studying me. This strange emotion crawled through his features that I couldn’t put my finger on.

I glanced at the shot in front of him to distract myself from the intensity. “Aren’t you going to drink that?”

“Nope. I have someone special to get home.”

My teeth raked against my bottom lip. “And who might that be?”

“I think you might know her well. Gorgeous as hell, as sassy as she is sweet, shares strawberry shortcake with strangers under a tree when she sees they’re having a bad day.”

He said it nonchalant.

Like it didn’t matter. Like we hadn’t shared that moment. Like it hadn’t changed everything.

Though there was something in his gaze that went deeper.

Sucking me under.

That remembering right there, pulling between us like a dream.

“Who said she needed a ride home?” It was raspy.

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