Page 61 of Flare
She stood close to him, close enough that Ward could feel the warmth radiating from her body, could see the rise and fall of her breasts as she breathed.
“It’s probably going to be another busy day tomorrow,” he agreed, his voice rough.
He ached to pull her into his arms and see if they could repeat the amazing chemistry of their first kiss on Thursday night.
Her hand went to the pendant again, caressing it.“Thank you for everything today. For lunch, for coming by after Andrew showed up, for walking me home. And for this.”
She looked up at him, tapping the pendant, and he smelled something unexpected.
She wanted him?
Oh, God. You’re making this impossible for me,he thought, desperately jamming his hands in his pockets to avoid spooking her.
“You don’t need to thank me,” Ward rasped.
She stepped right up to him, and he couldn’t control himself any longer.
He reached out and tucked a stray lock of her silky hair behind her ear. As he did so, he brushed the warm upper shell of her ear. Her pulse sped up, and goosebumps raced across her skin.
The air between them seemed to thicken. Emily’s gaze dropped to his mouth, and Ward’s heart hammered against his ribs.
He leaned in, drawn by an invisible force, moving slowly enough that she could stop him if she wanted to.
Their faces were inches apart, her breath warm against his skin. Ward inhaled her sweet scent and could almost taste her on his tongue.
His bear pushed forward, eager and demanding, but Ward restrained it with a desperate grip.
What happened next had to be Emily’s choice.
But, dammit, he wanted to kiss her again more than he’d ever wanted anything.
Her pupils were dilated, and her lips parted slightly. For a breathless moment, he thought she would close the distance between them.
But then uncertainty flickered across her expression, and her glance slid away from his.
Instead of kissing him, like he so desperately hoped, Emily reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a tight hug.
Ward swallowed his disappointment and returned the embrace.
She felt so damned good in his arms, like she belonged there. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed deeply, enjoying the feeling of her soft breasts pressing against chest.
“Goodnight, Ward,” she murmured, her breath hot against his cheek.
“Sleep tight, Emily,” he replied, forcing himself to release her when she pulled away.
His bear howled with disappointment.
She gave him a small smile, somewhere between apologetic and grateful, before turning and heading down the hallway to the guest bathroom.
The door closed with a soft click, and Ward heard the water running as she began her nighttime routine.
He stood motionless in the living room, his body still humming with unreleased tension.
She’d told him she needed time, and Ward would honor that. He’d give her all the time in the world if that’s what it took.
But understanding didn’t make the wanting any easier.
Ward moved through his own evening routine mechanically, locking up, turning off lights, plugging in his phone to charge. He brushed his teeth in the primary bathroom, trying not to think about Emily just down the hall, getting ready for bed.
