Page 60 of One Touch

I raised an eyebrow but continued. “We must not rescue each other from boring dates or uncomfortable social situations. We must not have any ‘love epiphanies’ while talking to wiseelderly relatives or precocious children. We must not engage in any playful competitions or bets that could lead to romantic tension.”

“Oh, and add this,” Lily said, leaning closer to scribble on the paper. Her perfume, an intoxicating mix of strawberry, vanilla, and something uniquely her, wafted over me. “We must not have any ‘magical’ first snow moments or New Year’s Eve kisses.”

I nodded, trying to ignore how my heart raced at her proximity. “Good call. Oh, and how about: We must not have any grand romantic gestures, especially involving flash mobs, skywriting, or elaborate scavenger hunts.”

Lily’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Perfect. This list is foolproof. There’s absolutely no way we could fall in love now.”

As our eyes met, I couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps we’d already broken the most important rule of all—never make a list of rules you’re secretly hoping to break.

“So,” said Lily. “Thoughts?”

I swallowed, my head spinning. “It’s . . . exhaustive.”

“Thank you.”

Was there any way, in a million years, that a list like this could actually work? If we avoided all these mistakes, was it possible that we could have a casual relationship without taking it to the next level? Was this a guarantee that neither of us would get hurt?

I severely doubted it would protectme, but if it protected Lily, then that was half the battle, right? And if it meant we got to indulge in some no-strings sex. . . .

Fuck, my brain was saying no but my body was screaming yes.

I drained the rest of the coffee, feeling the buzz of caffeine flying through my veins. “If we do this,” I said, slowly, tossing the empty cup into the wastepaper bin, “we can’t tell Ava.”

“Of course. There would be nothing to tell. It’s going to be just physical. Read the last rule.”

“We must never, ever, underanycircumstances, say ‘I love you,’” I read. “Seems sensible.”

“This way,” she said, moving closer, “the only way either of us gets hurt is when you spank me.”

“So, do I get to spank you if you break the rules?”

She was right next to me, so close I could smell her. That strawberry scent was so fucking intoxicating. How was I meant to think straight about all this?

Lily leaned into me, so close that her lips almost brushed my ear as she said, “You can spank me whenever you like.”

I released a shaky exhale. I couldn’t think straight. Lily was everything. Right there for the taking. All I could see were her eyes. All I could hear was her breath. All I could taste was. . . .

I crushed my lips to hers, cutting free, letting my desire take control.

She let out a whimper of surprise as our tongues met.

Hot damn. She tasted like liquid gold—rich, sweet, and so utterly addictive I knew I’d never get enough. Her tongue danced with mine, tasting me as I tasted her. I was overcome with a need to get in deep as I could and never come out. As my hands encircled her, I felt her body relax into my grip as she yielded to me. I ground myself against her, wanting the lines between our bodies to disappear.

Then, I snapped back to my senses.

“The door,” I said, feeling drunk with the sensation. “I have to close the garage door.”

“Don’t worry,” she said, her chest rising and falling with deep, ragged breaths, “I’ll wait for you.”

She was lying.

I pulled down the heavy metal door and quickly washed my hands at the sink. When I spun around, I saw that she hadn’t waited. Lily Lane lay—naked except for pale blue strapless braand panties—on the dented hood of the Ferrari she’d nearly destroyed just a few weeks ago.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I growled. “You’re the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

I wasn’t exaggerating. Looking at her made me almost feel guilty because of how much I wanted her.

I was standing in front of her in an instant, holding her milky thighs in my rough hands and gently prying them apart. “You make me feel like a bad man, Lily.”

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