Page 45 of Enemies in Paradise

I hadnotwanted to spill iced coffee all over her and when I did, I lost any cool I’d pulled together.

There’s nothing in my hands now. I’ve been given a second, (third, maybe fourth?) chance to do what I wanted to do the first time I met her. I inch closer and turn on the charm. “The torture part—even though I think you enjoy it—but I’d still like to ask you out… now that I know your feelings about bears.”

“I do like bears.” Cassie bites her lip, then runs her tongue over the spot.

My knees go weak. To stay upright, I press my hand to the door, inches from her head. I lose all control over my impulses. I’ve wanted to be this close to Cassie—to touch her—and before I can stop myself, I’m untucking her lock of hair and twirling it around one of my fingers.

“All bears?” I ask.

The smell of vanilla and possibility fills my nostrils as my eyes drop to her lips. To the spot she bit.

“Hmmm. Some bears.” Cassie meets my gaze, and her eyes dance between an emerald and dark green. “Small pink ones, especially. So, thank you, again.”

“And?”

“And what?” Her brow creases, and I’m tempted to drop her hair and run my thumb over the soft line between her eyebrows.

I lean closer. “I’m waiting for my apology… you know, for trying to kill me.”

I like that Cassie is tall enough I don’t dwarf her. Right now, I could stop a train for her, but I’m also deeply aware she doesn’t need me to protect her.

“I already said I came over to apologize.”

“You did.” I nod and tuck the hair back behind her ear. “But I didn’t actually hear you sayI’m sorry.” I wrap my hand around hers holding the flowers. “So maybe I’m the one who’s earned the apologybear.”

Her mouth drops as I take the flowers from her. “Are you being serious right now?”

I lift a shoulder and set the flowers and stuffed bear on a high shelf next to the door. All the anger and frustration that’s been building for months is returning to what I’ve always felt for her…

Desire.

I’m going to kiss Cassie, and I want her hands to be free when I do.

Her eyes narrow and she presses her lips together. But there’s a grin behind them, trying to get out.

“Two little words, Cassie, and the bear is yours.” I smile.

Her face softens, she lifts her chin, and she whispers in a low voice, “Which Bear?”

My chest explodes, and I don’t care if she’s teasing me. The feelings I’ve reined in since she came to Paradise last summer break free.

“This Bear was yours the first time I ever saw you.” I close the remaining inches between us and press a gentle kiss on her lips.

When I break away, Cassie looks at me. Her chest lifts and falls. I hold my breath.

An eternity passes.

Then she tugs me so close, I have to catch myself against the door to keep from crashing into her. With her hands on both sides of my head, she kisses me hard and deep, leaving me breathless and gasping for more.

I slide my hands from the door to cup her face in my hands and whisper, “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to kiss you like this.”

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to be kissed like this,” she returns.

Then her mouth is on mine. Her hands slide down my back until her fingers dig into my waist.

All the tension between us melts into sighs and a desperate attempt to get even closer than we already are. Without breaking apart, I drop my hands from Cassie’s face, scoop her up, and carry her to the Mustang.

I set her on the hood, and she lays back, pulling me with her. We stop long enough to smile at each other.

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