Page 33 of Captivating Mr. Second Chance

Letting her hair settle against her back, she felt a blush start to rise up her neck, and she attempted to cover it with her hand.

He smiled. “Let’s go out tomorrow.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

His eyes were almost too tender to meet, and she barely kept the truth from slipping out.

Because she was afraid.

Because she was still broken.

Because he was her brother’s best friend.

Because it was complicated.

Because they were complicated.

But she kept it all inside, under lock and key.

“I’m busy.”

“Doing what? Your hair?”

She snarled at him, earning a laugh. “You know if I didn’t do it, it’d be all over the place.”

He shrugged. “I like it all over the place.”

“Ethan,” she warned, and he sat back, hisGooniesT-shirt clinging to his chest, his arms still thin but defined with muscle.Goonieswas his favorite movie. In fact, she’d bought him a T-shirt with Chunk on it for Christmas senior year. He’d loved it so much he’d lifted her up, laughing against her ear. Dean had seen them and scowled, so they’d pretended it wasn’t anything. It hadn’t been.

Not really.

Kind of like when she stood up now, taking a moment to search for her keys, and he pressed the advantage to get up and pull her toward him. She’d like to say his kiss was a surprise, but it wasn’t. And if she pretended she didn’t want it, she’d be lying.

This time when his tongue stroked hers, she didn’t hesitate to wrap a hand around his neck to deepen the kiss. She felt more than heard the groan he let out, and even though they were in public, it was hard to stop. But they did. Barely.

“Go out with me,” he said, and she flicked her eyes over to where her brother was still chatting up some woman.

“No.”

He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Go out with me.”

She nudged her nose against his once before stepping away, finally able to take a good, clearing breath.

“Then will you help me with my fundraiser?”

She laughed, a great big cackle. “I told you, besides some resources and advice, no.”

He dropped his head back in exasperation, speaking to the ceiling. “Lord, why have you forsaken me with this stubborn woman?”

“I am not!” She caught herself in the middle of her offended rant and lowered her voice, her car keys between her fingers as she tapped them against his side. She hated that he was so tall because she loved that he was so tall. “I am not stubborn. I’m just not going to work with you when we…” She circled her hand in the space between them, indicating that they’d kissed not even a minute ago. And last weekend before that.

“Then go out with me.”

She shook her head and slipped on her coat. “No.” When he pursed his lips as if trying not to laugh at her and her weak refusal, she pointed a stern finger at him. “Goodbye, Ethan.”

“Bye, Lane.” She turned and lifted a hand behind her, but as she reached the door, he called out, “Goonies never say die.”

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