Page 71 of Playing My Rivals

“When I asked how you felt about him, your eyes told me it wasn’t me you had feelings for. If anything, you told me how you feel about him.” Jami turns his back to me, hiding his expression, and takes another drink of his rum punch.

My heart drops into my stomach as I replay the night in my mind. As much as I try, I can’t conjure up any time I’ve told Jami outright that I care about him more than a friend. But I know I’ve flirted with him.

He has to know how I feel, doesn’t he?

I’ve hinted and dropped clues whenever the opportunity has come about, haven’t I?

I latch on to something. “I kissed you on the plane.”

“Actually, I kissed you and you stopped it.” He faces me and hides his heart behind his arm again. “Look, I don’t want to go down this path. I get trampled on every time I do. Besides, the only thing we should be thinking about is Aiden.”

“I am thinking about him. Every time they’ve called with an update, they’ve given us good news. I’m trying to focus on that and the other good things in my life. You happen to be one of the best things in my life, so forgive me for looking to you for hope.”

My eyelids flutter rapidly, trying to stop the tears from falling. “I need you, Jami. Please don’t push me away.”

He lowers himself to sit on the bench so only his head is above water. As if he’s going against his better judgment, he shakes his head in resignation and pulls me between his legs so we’re at the same level.

He stares into my eyes. “This is a difficult thing to go through. I’m sorry if I’m not handling it as well as I should.”

I hug him as I gaze over his shoulder. “Just so you know, I can’t see my life without you. Ever.”

“Hopefully, you’ll never have to.” He caresses my back and I instantly relax.

I stay in our embrace, taking in our surroundings. His heart thumps against my ribs. My stomach flutters and I sink further into him. I need to be in his arms like this. I’m safe here.

My insides heat and my mind calms. I’m stripped bare and unable to deny my emotional ties to him any longer.

It’s time I face the fact this is way beyond friendship. When it’s just him and me, I’m the most comfortable I can be. He’s home for me. It’s now I face the fact that I’m in love with him and always have been on some level.

I push back and our gazes join. My insides light ablaze with white-hot passion. His eyes dance across my face. I step between his legs, closer than I was before. I slide my hand around the back of his neck.

“Since I can’t be sure if I’ve ever told you how I feel, let me show you.” I brush my lips against his.

For a brief second, he gets tense. I wrap my arms around his muscular shoulders. He’s not getting away this time. I let my tongue slip between his lips. He cups the side of my face, kissing me harder.

To reward him, I press my breasts against his chest. His tongue sweeps against mine as his arms move around my waist. He stands, leaning into our kiss, and pulls me into him with unexpected force. He growls into my mouth like a wild animal eating his capture and dives into our kiss, releasing his last reserves.

I melt into him as his hands roam over my hips. He squeezes my ass cheeks in his palms. His touch isn’t sensual or tender. It’s rough and savage like he’s waited a lifetime to feel my skin.

He moves and places his hands under my ass. Digging his fingers into my flesh, he lifts me, and I wrap my legs around his waist, clutching tight so he knows he can’t escape.

I slide against him and his thick length swipes against my blossoming sex. I arch my back in response. Craving more, I tilt my hips to get more friction. He pulls away and drags in much-needed air.

His eyes, stormy and gray, struggle for order. “Fuck, Dori. I’m warning you.”

My lips are back on his before he can say any more. I declared war against resisting this thing between us anymore and I’m winning now. The white flag waves next to us by the side of the pool. We’ve fully surrendered to each other, and it’s like he’s welcoming me home.

The zen music they play around the hot springs may as well be porn music because I’m about to tug our bathing suits off and slide down him. The only thing stopping me is how shocked I am by his size. If he goes inside of me, I might scream. The thought makes me pant.

I mesh our mouths together harder and more wildly than before. Our sexual chemistry is off the charts. There’s something primal about it. Like I need it or I’ll starve to death. It’s something different than I’ve ever experienced. His touch, the way he tastes, and his smell have me clamoring for more.

He guides us to the edge of the soaking pool and presses me against the concrete wall as his hips dig hard into my thighs. Thank God we’re two of the only people here today.

I claw at his back to bring him closer. He pushes into me even more, as if he’s telling me to tear at his skin and make him bleed. His hand goes to my breast in a greedy quest, so I move to give him space.

Right as I do, my phone rings. He backs away, a wild flurry of passion swirling in his eyes.

“You better get that. It could be the hospital.” His voice is low and hoarse.

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