Page 47 of The Accidental Honeymoon

He takes another step, towering over me. Now he’s close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from him. "We should practice. You know, to make it more convincing."

"Practice?" I ask. I know exactly what he means, though. He wants to feel the same kind of heat that we felt at theWagon Wheel. And I’m so starving for him that I’m practically on fire.

"Practice kissing.” There’s a dangerous glint in his eye. "Think of it as method acting, but with more tongue."

I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool. But my pulse quickens. I have to act as nonchalant as Jay. "Ah yes. Because nothing says 'true love' like rehearsed smooching."

He raises a hand to my cheek and cups my jaw. There’s a fire burning behind his eyes. A blaze that can only be quenched by touching me. But his touch is surprisingly gentle. His thumb brushes against the skin over my pulse in a way that sends sparks down my spine. He doesn’t pull back. Jay never admits defeat.

He just waits, impatient yet steady, until I relax. I let out a deep breath and he moves in.

"We can start slow,” he murmurs. His lips are just inches from mine. "Build up to something believable."

I should pull away. I should tell him this is a terrible idea. But instead, I close my eyes and wait.

His lips brush against mine, soft and tentative. My hands find his chest. I’m surprised at how fast his heart is beating. We kiss like teenagers, unsure and exploring at first, but wildly hungry for more.

I’m greedy. I want to kiss Jay for hours. It’s all I can think about.

Just when I think he’s going to pull back and leave me wanting, he deepens the kiss. A heat builds in me spreading from my core to my breasts, from my lips to the tips of my fingers. I press against him, opening my mouth to let him in. Our tongues meet in a slow, deliberate dance.

This is dangerous. This is stupid. This is amazing. I never want it to end.

When he finally breaks the kiss, I’mleft panting, feeling ravaged yet incomplete. I search his face frantically as I try to summon the guts to tell him that I needmore.

When he speaks, his voice is rough as gravel. “I meant what I said about being friends with benefits."

My mind is a whirl. My body is already screamingyeswhile my rational side tries to regain control.

"Did you?" I ask. I need to hear it again.

"Fuck yes," he says. "I was waiting for you to bring it up. But since you haven’t?—"

Before I can second-guess myself, I pull him back to me and crush my lips against his. He kisses me with a hunger that sets me on fire. His hands roam my back, my hips. I’m lost in him, drowning.

We stumble toward the bed. Jay lifts me, his movements rushed and impatient. My body aligns with his as he sets me down gently on the mattress. His eyes search mine, asking for permission without saying a word.

This is it. This is where we cross the line.

"Jay," I say, my voice trembling with need and fear.

"Yeah?" he answers, his breath hot on my neck.

"Let’s make it convincing."

He captures my lips again. I moan against his mouth. All I can think is a hasty,this is going to change everything.

But then I’m too busy to think at all.

sixteen

CALLA

Our lips crashtogether with a fervor that sends electric jolts through my body. Jay’s hands are everywhere, tracing the curves of my shoulders, the arch of my back, and then down to my hips. He pulls me closer, as if trying to fuse our bodies into one. I fumble with the buttons of his shirt, too eager to wait. His hands find the hem of my blouse and yank it over my head. The cool air on my skin is a shocking contrast to the heat radiating from us.

His fingers expertly unfasten my bra and he throws it aside like it's an obstacle in his path. His eyes darken with lust as he takes in my bare chest. A wicked smile plays on his lips. He dives in, hungrily kissing and sucking each breast. His hands knead them with a rough tenderness that makes me moan his name. Every touch sends waves of pleasure coursing through me. I can feel my resistance melting like wax.

He groans. “Fuck, you’re so hot.”

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