Page 63 of Undone

A small gasp escaped her as I tugged her forward, away from the truck.

With a flick of my wrist, I dropped the tailgate, the thud echoing through the stillness of the lot. Our gaze locked on each other as my hands slid back to her hips with slow, deliberate precision. Her muscles trembled under my grasp as I lifted her onto the tailgate, her small frame light in my arms. Her legs separated just enough for me to step between them. I closed the distance until we shared the same breath.

Hesitation and desire glimmered behind her irises, but she didn’t pull back. She was navigating this moment just like I was, trying to figure out what came next after that kiss in the bar. I leaned in, close enough that the heat of her exhale brushed against my skin.

Every instinct in me screamed to close the gap, to kiss her again.

I savored it—the way she leaned into me, waiting for me.

“Hey,” I murmured.

Her golden-brown skin melted against my hands as I tightened my grip on her.

“Hi,” she whispered back.

She bit her lip, her eyes searching mine, and I could see the same battle raging within her that continued to tear through me.

One kiss could go down as a mistake.

Two couldn’t.

I dipped my head, the softness of her skin brushing against mine as I came closer. The scent of her was intoxicating, and every second near her pulled me in deeper.

“What if we did… something casual?” she said, her nose lazily grazing mine.

“Casual?” I repeated.

“Yeah, no big feelings, just… me and you,” she murmured, as she rested her head on my shoulder.

Her body pressed against mine felt good, natural.

Like maybe this could work.

“I don’t have much to offer right now. I just know that I want you,” she whispered against me. Her words were muffled, but clear enough to knock the air out of me.

I tilted her chin up, making her meet my eyes. “I think I can do that,” I said, and the words felt like a release.

Close, but not too close. No expectations, no pressure, no risk of getting hurt.

She smiled, and fuck, I wanted to bottle that smile up and save it for a rainy day.

“Yeah?” she asked.

This was the solution. A way to have her without crossing the line. Keep things light, simple. The truth was, I’d been fighting what this was between us for so long that maybe going casual was the only way I wouldn’t completely lose myself in her. Because the minute I let myself fall for her—for real—it’d be game over.

But this? This I could manage. At least, that’s what I told myself.

“Yeah,” I murmured, letting my knuckles brush lightly across her cheekbone before leaning in and capturing her lips again.

She whimpered, and the sound made something deep inside me tighten.

Her lips were soft and warm. I cupped the nape of her neck, drawing her closer. She let out a breathy sigh, her mouth parting just enough for me to take my chance, teasing my way in. The moment her tongue met mine, a low groan rumbled from me—the taste making my head spin.

She felt perfect, too perfect.

Her skirt bunched higher on her thighs as I pressed forward, the heat of her body radiating through my jeans. It was maddening, feeling her this close. I wanted more, but I savored the moment.

“We should stop,” she murmured between kisses, her words half-hearted.

---