Page 58 of Restricted List

“Because baseball is close to your heart.”

“Exactly,” I smile. I lift my left arm now, showing my bicep. “This one is pretty easy, too—the Brooklyn Bridge. I obviously grew up in Brooklyn, and I wanted part of that on me.” I move to my sides now, starting with the Roman numerals trailing up my right side. “This is my birthdate—July twenty-fourth. And this—“ I show her the other set of Roman numerals, these trailing down my left side, ”—is Harlow’s birthdate—August twentieth.”

“That’s so sweet,” Rory says, voice laced with affection. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo for your sister.”

“Got it before I signed in Kansas. Now, what about your tattoos?”

She laughs. “I only have two, and you know about both of them. I have an infinity sign on my right foot and my dad’s baseball number—fourteen—on my left wrist.”

Rory must have moved closer to me because her legs are practically brushing mine now. I gulp, trying not to think too much about our proximity. “I like those. They look good, Ror.”

“They’re simple,” she shrugs. “Not nearly as intricate as yours.” She reaches out toward the baseball bats before pulling back.

“You can touch me, Starlight,” I smile softly, ignoring the voice in my head telling me how dangerous this is. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

The moment her fingers brush over my skin, the same electricity I felt the other night courses again. Rory’s breath catches in her throat, telling me she feels it, too.

The pull between us is only getting stronger, and I’m beyond tired of fighting it.

I lean closer to her as she matches my movement, our faces now only inches apart. When our eyes meet, I’m immediately entranced, lost in their beauty. Wide and deep brown. I’m mesmerized.

“Do you want more?” she asks, not taking her eyes off mine.

“More tattoos? Yes. But there are other things I want more than that.”

My lips are loose, and I spill what I’m thinking. I’d blame the alcohol, but the singular beer I drank tonight has nothing to do with my candor right now.

“Like what?” She slowly leans closer, leaving even less distance between us. “What do you want, Cole?”

The warnings from Knox and Lane escape my mind, and all I can focus on is the gorgeous woman in front of me. The one that’s had my mind tangled since I met her nearly four years ago.

“I want something I can’t have,” I whisper, eyes quickly darting to her lips before returning to their prior position.

For the first time, I see the unmistakable look in Rory’s eyes—desire.

She’s not going to run away tonight.

Shewantsme to do this.

“Is it somethingor someoneyou can’t have?”

I sever the distance between us, letting my forehead fall against hers. “You know the answer to that, Rory.”

“I think I do.”

The next moments are silent, no words spoken as the air thickens around us. Breathing is difficult, but I’ll deprive myself of oxygen if it means being like this with the woman who consumes every waking thought of mine.

She rests her hand on my thigh, and I’m done for. “Tell me to stop, Rory. I need you to tell me to stop.”

Her eyes bore into me, defiance shining bright as she confidently says, “No.”

With that, the single thread of willpower I have left snaps.

I capture her lips with mine, finally kissing the woman of my goddamn dreams.

Rory matches my fervor, kissing me just as desperately.

We’re kissing like we may never get the chance again.

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