Page 39 of The Holiday Fail

He smelled fucking divine. I had to take a couple steps back before I launched myself at him.

Andy looked dazed too, and his eyes kept flickering to my lips, which, of course, made me instinctively wet them with my tongue, which in turn had him staring harder at them.

It was a vicious cycle, and one I didn’t actually hate. If this was anyone else, I’d have already given into what both of us wanted and kissed him, but this was Andy, and that made things a whole lot more complicated. I took another step back, and that seemed to help himfind his voice.

“I just…” He paused and bit his lip. And nowIwas the one doing the staring. In a trance, I found his lips getting closer. I wasn’t sure who moved first, me or him, but neither of us stopped until our lips touched.

The second time I kissed Andy Morris was just as explosive as the first.

Chapter Seventeen

LEVI

A hot mouth with a hint of alcohol mixed with mine, hands running through my hair, and a hard body pressed against me were proof that this was very real. Our tongues tangled and lips clashed so hard I worried they might get bruised.

The kiss with Andy was all-consuming, and I worried if I didn’t pull back, I just might pass out from the lack of air. But I didn’t want to stop. I wanted more of him.

Even when every cell in my body screamed at me that this was a terrible idea, I couldn’t stop myself. It was like Andy had become my drug and I was addicted, always coming back even if I knew I’d get hurt in the end.

As if giving myself the ultimate jinx, Andy broke our lips and pulled back.

Again.

Fuck, I really was a fool.

He must have seen the immediate hurt that rushed through me, because he quickly pulled me to him, like he was afraid I’d run away. I wanted to snap thathewas the one who ran away last time, not me.

“Wait, fuck. Sorry, I’m messing this all up,” he said, sounding anxious.

Andy was a few inches taller than me, the perfect height for me to rest my chin on his shoulder in our current position.

“I didn’t mean to kiss you,” he said softly. Now the hurt turned into anger again. He was so good at ping-ponging my emotions that I had to wonder if he was doing this on purpose.

I turned my head toward him, and, seeing his exposed neck, I couldn’t force down my instinct to bite. The angrier I felt, the harder I bit.

“Ow, wait. That’s not what I meant! I don’t regret kissing you, but can you please let me explain?” Andy groaned in either protest or from the pain, but he didn’t try to push me off him and, in fact, held me even tighter.

Feeling bad, I released his skin to reveal obvious teeth marks. I didn’t break the skin, but there was no hiding that someone had been munching on his neck.

I pressed a soft kiss to the spot as a silent apology. His warm skin trembled under my lips, which turned my frown into a smile.

At least I knew I still had some effect on him.

Andy had his gaze downcast, watching my every move when I pulled back. I tried to step back so I could look at him face-to-face, but his hands were still clasped around my waist, so I wasn’t able to retreat much. Just enough that our chests were still pressed together, and I could meet his eyes.

“Are you finally going to explain what this is all about? You kiss me, then pretend it doesn’t happen, then agree to be my wingman tonight but actively cockblock me, then kiss meagain. You’re giving me too many mixed signals,” I said with a huff.

“I know. I’m sorry,” he said, hanging his head.

I scoffed. “You’ve apologized so many times already, but youstill haven’t given me what I need. I want answers, Andy. I can’t keep doing this.”

“I know! I know…” His voice trailed off as he cleared his throat. When he spoke again, he sounded much more confident. “I like you,” he blurted out.

My mouth opened and closed like a goldfish blowing bubbles becausethatwas not what I expected at all. I half expected he’d give me excuses or bullshit answers about how he wasn’t gay or bi or whatever and the kiss had only confused him to the nth degree.

The last thing I expected out of his mouth was to admit that he actually liked me. To confirm that the connection I felt between us wasn’t only in my head and he’d felt it too.

Whatever hurt he’d put on me this past week didn’t feel so painful anymore. In fact, I was so giddy I was practically floating. The only thing keeping me grounded was Andy’s hold on me.

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