Page 25 of No Place Like Home
I was breathless when we finally separated—not only from a lack of oxygen, but from the kiss, itself. It was amazing, sexy—hot as fire. When my eyes fluttered open, Rowan looked different. Still my best friend, but something else also. “What the hell was that Rowan?” I asked, my voice little more than a whisper.
“Something I’ve wanted to do for forever.” His hand brushed against my cheek as my brain registered his words.
“You’ve wanted to kiss me for forever?” I asked him. Was I in awe, or shock? I couldn’t tell. But his words . . . What thehell?
He nodded and closed the gap again. This time when our lips touched, the kiss deepened. Became desperate. Urgent. His hand slipped behind my neck and pulled me closer.
My hands inched to his shoulders. My fingers grazed the short hair at the nape of his neck. This kiss unlike any I had ever know—hotter, more electric. My body responded as a tingle traveled from my stomach to the tips of my nipples and pooled between my legs. Everynerve ending screamed for more. Every part of me ached for his lips on them.
This had to stop.
, not just some guy.
What the hell were we doing?
I broke the kiss. Placed my fingers over his mouth. My eyes closed tight as I caught my breath and tried to regain control.
This was crazy. Stupid.
I opened my eyes and searched his face, his gaze. He looked flush and confused, but his eyes were filled with desire.
Dammit. This was Rowan. I held my hand up and got off the couch. “We can’t do this, Rowan. Fuck.” I turned away from him. I couldn’t stand to look at him and feel the desire that sparked deep inside my core. I had to get away and try to figure this out.
“Summer.” He reached out for me and started to get up.
“No, Rowan,” I said, and ran toward my room.
“Dammit, Summer, stop.” His voice was sharp, and his footsteps were close behind me.
I had to get to my door before him and close it, because I knew he’d push it open. We messed around like that all the time when we were younger. I could never keep him from pushing the door open then—and that was before he developed that amazing, fully muscled chest. Or the ridges of his perfectly sculpted abs. Or the mountains that were his biceps . . .
Sure enough, when I went to close my door, he’d beat me to it and held it open with one hand, his arm like an iron bar. “Summer, don’t shut me out.”
The desperation of his voice hit its mark, and I froze.
“I know, this is sudden,” he continued. “For you, at least. But I’ve fought my feelings for you for years. Fuck—decades. Since I started calling you Summertime, I’ve had feelings for you.”
My breath caught in my chest. No fucking way. What was he saying? I stared at him, confused. How could he have had feelings for me, all the way back in high school? When he was dating cheerleaders? It didn’t make sense.
He stepped closer and caressed the back of my neck—my weak spot. Then his lips were on mine, and my entire body melted.
Melted into his kiss, his touch, his taste, his warmth.
A moan escaped from deep in my chest which only encouraged Rowan more. He stepped closer, into the bedroom. Both his hands held my head, and his mouth devoured mine. The sound of pleasure rumbling deep in his chest was entirely masculine, and fucking sexy. It caused all my women parts to leap up and take notice.
Luckily, he broke the hot-as-a-volcano kiss to take a breath, and I forced all my willpower to the surface. “Rowan!” My voice broke, and I pushed him away. “We can’t do this, no matter how much we want to. You’re the only good man I have in my life, and this would ruin it. I don’t want to have a one-night stand with you. We would never be . . .” I couldn’t finish my sentence because his look of pure desire tore through whatever was left of my protests.
“Good,” he said. His voice rough with emotion. “Because I’m not her for a one-night stand, Summer. I’m here for you. All of you. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
God, I didn’t need to hear that. My gaze drifted over his face. He was still breathing hard, and though he made the most irresistible puppy-dog eyes at me, I could seeit—fear.
I couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m sorry, Rowan. You know where the sheets and pillows are for the couch.” My throat tightened as I pushed him out into the hall and closed the door.
Chapter 13
Rowan
Ilaid my head on the door bracing my hands on either side. I placed my ear on the wood like that might help me hear her. “Summer, I’m sorry. Please open up.”
