Page 30 of The Pilot & the Athlete

“Shay.” He swallowed and admitted before he could stop himself, “You hit different for me.”

Her mouth softened. She lifted her hands and set them on his shoulders. His heart raced from her gentle touch. When her thumbs traced along the front of his shoulders, his entire body flushed. He was warm, willing, and able to show her how special and meaningful she was. Forget his hangups. He could deal with them … later.

“Does that mean you don’t think of me as a little sister?”

He framed her face with his hands, his palms cupping her jaw, his fingers savoring the softness of her neck and cheeks and his thumbs dangerously close to her luscious lips.

“No,” he admitted. “There’s nothing in the way I feel for you that is like a little sister.” His heart threatened to beat out of his chest. What was he doing admitting to that? How would he keep his distance now?

He didn’t want distance. He wanted her closer. Much closer. He eased in until he pressed her against the doorframe with his larger body. His right thumb trailed across her lower lip. She let out a soft moan that undid him.

“I feel like you are the sun, moon, and stars for me,” Paul said in a husky voice. He should’ve been startled by his sappy words. He’d never talked like that to any woman. But the words felt right, and more importantly, Shay felt right.

“I’ve had a crush on you since I was fourteen,” she whispered.

He smiled at that. “Does my adult self live up to your teenage crush?”

“And more, Paul. You are heroic and perfect and everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Paul’s eyes widened at her declaration, and he knew he was done resisting the pull to her. He bent down as she arched up.They connected in the middle. Her supple mouth under his own changed the trajectory of his life.

Shay’s hands slid to his biceps, and she clung to him. He tilted her head slightly and the kiss grew to a new intensity. Passion and warmth wrapped around them like stars and sparkles in some romance movie.

He slowed down the kisses and wrapped her up tight in his arms. Shay slid her arms around his back and clung to him. They were both short of breath.

Paul had never felt this level of emotion and devotion. Could Shay be the one to break through his walls and give him a purpose and joy in life he never thought possible for him? He had imagined he’d missed his window of finding someone to love and be loved by because he wouldn’t let down his guard or fully forgive himself.

Was he wrong? Could Shay help him and heal him? Was that fair to ask of her? Was he ready to face up to his past, admit the truth, and make amends?

“Shay,” he whispered. “There are some things I need to tell you.” He pulled back just enough to look into her beautiful face.

“Okay.” She tilted her head toward the master. “Do you want to sit on the couch?”

“No. Not in there.” He loved her innocence. “After a kiss like that, I don’t want to be alone in a bedroom with you.”

Her eyes widened, but then she gave him an almost smug smile. “You are low-key gone over me, aren’t you?”

Paul half-laughed and half-groaned. “Oh, Shay. I’ve been fighting my feelings for you like you can’t believe.”

“Oh, I believe it.” She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled his head down toward hers. “Let me show you what I’m feeling for you.”

Paul didn’t resist as her pliable mouth met his. The warmth and yearning in her kiss circled ribbons of desire through his entire body. He gave himself completely to the kiss, tasting, feeling, loving.

Shay was meant to be his. He knew that now. Could they get through the stumbling block she didn’t even know about?

Chapter

Eleven

Shay was wrappedin a cocoon of Paul’s strong arms. A tingly warmth from his touch spread through her body. Her mind was cloudy with intoxicating desire from his commanding yet tender lips. His kisses filled her with happiness and a future full of every good thing. Paul showed her a new world with his kisses. The sweet words he’d said to her, ‘you are my sun, moon, and stars’. That was fire. Her heart beat a happy rhythm, and the dark night was filled with sunlight.

Paul slowed the kisses down again. She felt woozy, lightheaded from the intensity of their interchange and far too gone over him to stand up straight. Paul seemed to sense that. He slid an arm under her legs and behind her back, sweeping her off her feet.

Shay clung to his strong shoulders and leaned her head into the crook of his neck. “You make me float even better than the water.”

“I like that.” He tenderly kissed her forehead and then pivoted and carried her with sure strides across the loft, down the stairs, and into the living room. He settled onto the couch with her cradled against his chest.

It was dark down here, only the night lights on the stairs and in the loft giving any illumination. She wanted to keep kissing in the drowsy darkness, to stay cuddled in his arms all night.

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