Page 52 of Strictly the Worst

Damn it, I can’t wait anymore. That’s it. I lower my head until our lips brush against each other.

And I’m lost in her.

And I don’t want to be found.

TESSA

He releases my face as I kiss him back, his hands sliding down my shoulders, fingers feathering my arms, until his palms curl around my waist. His tongue softly slides against mine as he pulls me against him.

And I can feel just how much he’s enjoying this kiss.

I wrap my arms around his neck, and he grunts approvingly against my lips. I can feel the breeze against my back, his hands sliding down to my ass, pulling me even closer.

Until I’m breathless and needy against him.

He’s an expert kisser. Just the way I knew he would be. His fingers knead my skin, his lips plunder mine. And hot blood rushes through me.

Right to my core.

And all I can think about is how much I need this. His touch, his mouth.

To feel the way he wants me.

He slides his hand down my thigh, hitching my skirt up until his fingers are touching my bare skin.

“Fucking hell, Carmichael,” he murmurs. “Where have you been hiding this body?”

I smile against him. “Shut up and kiss me.”

“Wouldn’t you rather do this somewhere more comfortable.” His thumb is rubbing against my outer thigh, making every part of me clench.

“I don’t know…”

“I mean kiss. In private. We’re not going to do anything you don’t want to do.”

My eyes lift until our gazes are locked. And I nod because yes, I want to kiss him again. Preferably horizontally. My body aches to feel the weight of his.

We’re not going to do anything you don’t want to do.

I’m not sure if that’s a threat or a promise.

It takes us ten more minutes to get back to the cottage. Linc carries both our shoes, practically marching us along the beach like we’re in boot camp. Every now and again, he looks at me and smiles.

And my body flutters in response.

When we climb up the steps to our room, I can feel my heart thumping. When we get inside, I don’t know what’s going to happen.

Liar. You know exactly what you’re doing.

“You still with me?” Linc asks as he unlocks the door. He’s still holding my hand. I don’t know if it’s because he suspects I might run again, or if he’s trying to reassure me.

Maybe both. And I get it. It’s been more than a decade since I kissed somebody new. And I’m scared. I really am. If I stop this now, I know he’ll understand. Or at least I hope he will.

But I don’t want to stop it. I’m too fired up. So I try to push the fear away, though I’m not as successful as I’d hoped.

“I think so.”

He drops our shoes, pulls me inside, and closes the door behind me, turning around so I’m sandwiched between his body and the wall.

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