Page 19 of Hothead

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” she spat. He found himself stepping closer as she spoke. Ushering her backward toward the floating marble island. “If that’s who you are, then who was the guy I just had dinner with, huh? I want to talk to that guy. The Luke that’s smart and funny and easy to talk to. Where did he go?”

As soon as her butt hit the counter, his hands went to the countertop on either side of her. Boxing her in. When his head dipped, his pulse pounded.

“Why can’t I be both guys?”

He witnessed Bella’s breathing pick up as he let his nose nuzzle hers.

“I think they call that schizophrenia.” Her voice was a whisper. Her body betraying her words.

“What doyoucall it, angel?” Their mouths were so close now that his lips brushed hers with every word each of them uttered.

“Emotionally fucked.”

Feeling his lips tilt up, he let his nose nudge hers again. “Aren’t we all?”

“I can’t argue with that.”

He didn’t want to argue with her at all. He wanted to do the exact opposite and worship her. Give in and allow himself a taste. Not just of those sweet lips but of all of her. Running his tongue along every dip and curve until he tasted heaven.

Just as the last of his control finally snapped, her palms came up and rested on his chest.

Fuck, her hands feel good on me.

Her forehead moved next and dropped against his.

“This isn’t a good idea.” Her voice wasn’t just quiet this time, she sounded breathless. And damn if that wasn’t as sexy as hell.

“Why not?”

“Because this can’t go anywhere,” she replied, stating the obvious.

“Why does it need to go anywhere?” he countered.

More hot breath sunk into his lips as she let out a sigh. “You don’t understand ... I can’t just hook up with my dead best friend’s brother. It’s not right.”

“But if it were more than just hooking up?” He was playing with fire. He knew it.

“I don’t know.” He lost her eyes as they squeezed shut.

He couldn’t give her more. What was he thinking asking her that? He needed to back off. Tell her he wasn’t the “more” type of guy. But he didn’t get a chance.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” she said with a slight shake of her head, “’cause that’s not gonna happen. That’s not what this is.”

Why did he feel like he’d just taken a punch?That’s not what this is.Her words rattled around his overly heated brain. He wanted to protest. Demand she tell him exactly how she’d come to that conclusion. But that didn’t make sense, did it? Not when it was on the tip of his tongue to tell her the exact same thing.

His brain and body must have spent way too long arguing with each other, because Bella was done waiting. She was pushing at his chest now. Releasing herself from the cage he’d created around her.

“I have to go.” She avoided meeting his gaze as she rushed to get away from him.

He’d frozen. Everything inside of him wanted to go after her. But he stopped himself. Because what then? Was he seriously going to beg her to change her mind? No. Luke Cappelli did not beg. So he stood in his empty kitchen. And tried his best to swallow down the huge lump in his throat.

***

Luke needed some time. That’s what he was telling himself anyway as he sulked on his couch.

Last night was still all too fresh in his mind. And don’t even get him started on how his body was taking it. It had not forgotten either. It had been on high alert ever since his lips had lightly brushed Bella’s. His heart was still hammering. His blood was still boiled. And his lungs were still filled with wild berries.

You’re losing your mind. That’s what this is. You’ve finally lost it.

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