Page 13 of Best Part of Me

My heart flutters, and I stroke my throat subconsciously. The whiskey is already working its magic through my veins.

I swallow. Hard. “Um... yeah, thanks. It has about a million tiny buttons.”

I spin in front of him, and when he gathers my loose strands of hair, pushing them over one shoulder, my entire body trembles.

As his fingers work at each button with what feels like meticulous care, my senses are hyperaware of his tender touch against my skin.

“I bet you’ll regret the offer after about twenty more buttons.” I laugh nervously.

“Are you fucking kidding? Like I’d pass up an opportunity to touch you, Sunshine.”

My heart stalls in my chest. I cannot breathe.

“Mav, shut up,” I finally say, trying to make my voice sound playful while my muscles clench.

“Who knew Jones would take that childhood blood pact between us so seriously, huh?”

I release a forced laugh. “Right? Because if you two hadn’t made that pact, you would’ve tried to get with me?”

“Maybe.”

At his response, I hold my breath. I feel the complete release of the fabric, and the air touches my bare back, along with Maverick’s fingertip as it slides against my exposed skin. A shiver shudders through me. His breath is suddenly on my neck, and I close my eyes tight. Someone better pinch me because I must be dreaming.

“After all this time, you still have no fucking idea what you do to me, Cammie.”

My name falls from his lips like a confession, the heat of his breath tickling down my neck.

My head goes fuzzy, muddled with shock and emotion. Everything inside me that wants to spin around and wrap all my limbs around him octopus-style, fights with the small rational part of my brain.

He presses against me and for once, there’s no mistaking his desire for me. His hard on can be felt against my ass. Maverick wants me.Me. After all this time. But why now?

I peek at him over my shoulder. The two of us lock eyes, and the electric lust buzzes in the air between us. So evident, so wildly tempting. It would be easy to give into his intense gaze and throw my inhibitions to the wind. So easy to let my lips find his, to let my hands travel the length of him, to let him take advantage of me in the absolute best way possible.

It takes everything in me, but I resist.

“We can’t,” I whisper. “Jones.”

The yearning builds between my thighs, and it takes all my strength to step away from him, my legs weak. With my heart hammering against my ribcage, regret snakes through me.

Did I just turn down my one chance to sleep with my childhood crush?

CHAPTER4

Maverick

Bringing Camille to my place means I have to deal with Jones. And I’m running out of fucking time. If I don’t answer one of his calls soon, he’s going to be at my doorstep. I’m honestly surprised he isn’t here yet.

But whatever Jones might do to me feels worth it.

I’ve never wanted to tear a woman’s clothing off so fast.

Especially now. That wedding dress has to go.

My phone buzzes in my hand, and I groan. Jones again.

“Camille?” I call to the closed bathroom door, my imagination crazed and my persistent hard-on already a frustration.This will not end well for you, I want to tell him. Shit. She’s already turned me down.

“Yeah, almost done.”

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