Page 13 of Falling for You
CeCe stopped her celebratory dance long enough to ensure he wasn’t permanently blinded, her heart kicking up in concern. “Oh crap, are you okay?” She barely got her question out before Evan grabbed her forearms and turned her onto her back. He positioned her between his legs and walloped her with the softest pillow he had. Her expression shifted again when she realized what he’d done, and she reached out to tickle his sides.
Evan was probably the most ticklish person in the Midwest and quickly tried to get away, but it was no use. CeCe latched onto his bicep and pulled him down onto the floor. The force of his fall caused her to bounce in the air and land on top of him. They were both laughing and catching their breath when he realized she was straddling him.
CeCe’s hair fell over her eyes, and Evan reached up to tuck it behind her ear. Their faces were barely two inches apart, and he felt her breath on his lips. Her eyes darkened, and if he lifted his head slightly they would be kissing. Her lips looked satin smooth and would taste like beer and chocolate. Undoubtedly, it would be the best kiss of his life.
But Evan wanted to kiss CeCe when she was ready for him, not when she was clearly going through a tough time. He would be her friend first, like he always had been. “To answer your question, I’m more than okay.” Making a show of rapidly blinking his uninjured eye, he held his breath as she inched closer. His body reacted to the feel of her on him, and he prayed she didn’t notice. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable.
CeCe rolled off him and sighed as she tossed one more pillow at him. “So who won?”
Evan propped up on his elbows and took a moment to collect himself. “I’d say it was a tie.”
CeCe looked incredulous. “A tie? I clearly had you pinned there.” She gestured to his side of the mattress.
“Pinned? Looks like I’m free as a bird, doesn’t it?” He flapped his arms in the air and watched her brows draw down. It was the same face she made when she was deep in thought in the kitchen. The look was determined and thoughtful, and right now the hottest thing Evan had ever seen.
Before he could prepare, CeCe lunged at him and threw a pillow at his face. He ducked before it could hit its target and pulled her down underneath him, pinning her with his arms. “Now who’s pinned?” he asked, breathless from the feel of her under him again.
“No fair. You cheated.” CeCe panted but didn’t pull away.
“My fort, my rules,” Evan replied with a wink.
Much to Evan’s surprise and delight, CeCe lifted her head and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Your fort, your rules. I begrudgingly forfeit, but I reserve the right to a rematch.”
Evan’s face tingled where she’d kissed him, and he contemplated never washing his face again. The kiss print felt like a brand, and he was more than happy to save the evidence of their night together. “When’s the rematch?” he asked, steadying her in his arms. The sensation of CeCe was almost too much, and he had to focus on breathing.
CeCe flashed a devilish grin. “Considering you probably have this air mattress up twenty-four-seven, I’m guessing anytime I want.” She threw one more pillow for good measure before excusing herself to the bathroom.
Evan laid on his back and listened to CeCe’s footfalls disappear down the hallway, and he smiled to himself. There was no way he’d be able to be in this fort without thinking of her. He owed Mallory a thousand dollars for canceling tonight. He also owed his heart an apology. Without a shadow of a doubt, he’d officially fallen for CeCe, and he feared it was bound to end in heartbreak.
CHAPTER 4
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CeCe clutched the edgeof the sink and stared at her reflection in Evan’s bathroom mirror. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was a haphazard mess, but she didn’t look bad. She looked happy, alive. Reaching a trembling hand to her lips, she touched the skin that was just on Evan’s stubbled cheek. What had she been thinking? She can’t kiss her coworkers like it was nothing.Right?
But Evan wasn’t merely a coworker; he was a good friend. A friend who clearly wanted more. Standing in his tiny bathroom with the sounds of kung fu fighting coming through the door, CeCe felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t felt in years. She trusted Evan fully. He wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want, but she couldn’t abuse that trust. He deserved more than that.
