Page 19 of Love Shots

“Becky Matthews.” Summer didn’t even hesitate to throw the name out there. The day she’d heard Teddy had slept with Becky, she’d locked herself in her room and cried all day and night.

“Becky Matthews?” he repeated, giving her an incredulous look. “I did not fucking date Becky Matthews.”

“Okay. Fine. You didn’t date her, but you did sleep with her.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Summer? I didn’t fucking sleep with her. I didn’t fucking sleep with anyone in high school! I went into the Navy a goddamn virgin. Did you not hear me when I said I was gone for you? Why the fuck would I sleep with some chick when I was into you?”

She couldn’t breathe. Her head was throbbing. He hadn’t slept with Becky. Or anyone. He’d actually had feelings for her, the same feelings she had for him. None of this made sense.

“She told me you slept together. Were sleeping together.” Her voice remained quiet while the pounding of her heart felt anything but.

“She lied, Summer.”

What the ever-loving fuck?

“I have no idea why. Probably the same reason Bobby Rhodes lied about you two hooking up.”

Their eyes locked as she processed his words. She wouldn’t have been able to look away from him even if she wanted to. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“About Becky?”

She watched Teddy’s head tilt.

“No.” Her head shook profusely, losing his eyes for a moment. “About how you felt. All those years and you never said anything. Why didn’t you say anything?”

At her words, he stood. His barstool scraping against the vinyl floor. Suddenly, he was in her space. One of his meaty thighs slipped between her and opened her jean-clad legs to him. The next thing she knew, his hand was at the back of her neck, gently tilting her head up while holding her firmly in place at the same time. The other hand was cupping her face, a callused thumb lazily stroking her cheek. What was happening?

“I tried once.” His face edged closer until his breath was tickling her lips. “After my first deployment. I came back here. To you. But when I got here ...”

“Colt,” she whispered.

Stupid Colt. No one was ever going to measure up to Teddy. But after learning about Becky, she figured he just didn’t see her like that. After, of course, he went and joined the Navy and left her in Bluestone. Alone. And then, at her lowest, in swoops Colton. It wasn’t her proudest moment.

His green eyes flared at Colt’s name. She watched in fascination as anger quickly dissolved and was replaced by lust. Seconds later, his pupils dilated and darkness overtook. His gaze darted to her mouth where she’d had the sudden urge to run her tongue along her lower lip.

Before her brain fully understood what was happening, his mouth was crashing down onto hers. There was no way she was going to waste any more time thinking now. Not when the taste of Teddy was sending her into sensory overload. His teeth scraped and tugged on her lower lip until she gasped. Once her mouth was parted, his tongue swept inside. Slowly, he explored, gliding back and forth, easily taking control of the kiss.

The more he teased, the more goosebumps broke out across her skin and the foggier her mind became. To keep herself steady, her hands went to his sides, inadvertently pulling him closer to her. When his thigh moved and pressed into her core, she couldn’t help but whimper.

His hands didn’t move, they simply kept her in place, occasionally tilting her head so he could take her deeper. Her hand movements though were less controlled. They slid to the front of his shirt, her fingernails digging into the hard ridges of his chest, as if she was checking to see if he was real. Going by the guttural groan vibrating from his stomach, Teddy seemed to approve.

His thigh pressed into her again. This time it was harder. She had the sudden urge to rub herself against him.

No. Bad Summer. Control yourself, woman.

She swallowed another growl-like noise Teddy made and knew right then she was in deep shit. Teenage Summer may have been smitten, but thirty-four-year-old Summer was screwed. This man had the power to break her, as in crumble into a million tiny pieces that no amount of superglue could fix.

The minute her brain switched back on, in time for her to contemplate just how screwed she was, Teddy’s exploration had slowed. As soon as his lips left hers, she drew in a deep breath. Now very aware of just how oxygen-deprived she was. That’s why she was breathing so hard, right?

With one last gentle caress of her cheek, he not only pulled away, but he also took a step back. Damn if that didn’t hurt. The instant loss of his heat made her shiver. At least that’s what she was telling herself.

“We have to stop.” His voice was gravelly. Harder. Rougher than she was used to.

Of course. They’d been drinking. This wasn’t a good idea. Oh God, was she taking advantage of him? Suddenly mortified, she scrambled up and off her stool. She didn’t miss how wobbly her legs were when she stood. It would take a while before she recovered from that kiss. There was also a possibility that she wouldn’t. Not ever.

“Uh, yeah, I should—” Summer started but was soon cut off.

“No, dollface. Don’t run.” His arms wrapped around her as he pulled her back into his big body. She found herself looking up again, staring back into those mesmerizing eyes. “Don’t think for one second I want to stop, Summer. I don’t. But if I feel you moan into my mouth one more time while I’m feasting on those cherry lips ... I’m not gonna be able to control myself.”

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