Page 38 of The Hot New Bartender in Town

“I know,” he says, but he doesn’t back off, either. He lingers close, his fingers teasing toward my neck. “I told myself I wouldn’t do this, but then I saw you...” He exhales, his breath warm against my cheek. “Fuck, I can’t stop myself, Tish.”

Riley crushes his mouth on mine; a kiss hard and deep. For a moment, my back stiffens. I think to push him away, to do what most would consider to be the right thing in this circumstance, but as his lips embrace mine, I give in. I give myself over to the temptation that’s boiled beneath the surface these last few days.

Just a kiss,I tell myself.

Just one last kiss.

His arms curl around my waist, drawing me even closer to him. I cling to his suit jacket, the thrill of his body against mine sparking a deep urge in me.

Just a kiss,I remind myself.

Just one last...

He grips me tighter, the strength of his embrace nearly lifting me off the floor.

“Riley,” I whisper, sounding more like a moan than the word of warning I meant it to be.

“I know,” he says, breaking the kiss to catch his breath. “But I can’t...”

“I can’t, either,” I admit, parting my lips for his tongue. “But we shouldn’t...”

“Yeah,” he agrees, but doesn’t stop. “We shouldn’t.”

Just a... no.

A kiss isn’t enough.

A kiss couldneverbe enough.

My body churns with frustration. The need to touch his skin again. The need to feel him inside of me again.

Just one more time,I tell myself.

“Just one more time,” I hear myself say aloud, my hands helplessly tugging at his sapphire blue tie.

“Yeah,” he says, the word so soft between kisses, his hands gripping my sides. “One more time.”

Then, we’ll be done.

Then I’ll be ready to move on.

Then, we?—

“Junior!”

Richard’s voice echoes through the chapel, quickly followed by a sharp, feminine gasp.

Riley and I break apart, but it’s far too late. His father stands at the end of the aisle. My mother, too, with a hand pressed against her mouth in shock.

And about a dozen or so wedding guests, Mika, Lottie, and Brenda among them. Eyes wide and mouths open.

Ah, crap.

13

TISH

“Tish,”Mom scolds me.

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