Page 2 of No Mistake

“Ryan, I have to go.” Her voice was husky. Her body responding, so turned on, she bit her lip to prevent a groan. Then his mouth covered hers, his tongue running over her lips, probing gently to get inside. She placed her hands on his chest, intent on pushing him away, stopping this insanity, but her body continued to betray her. The feel of those hard pecs sent a flood of heat to her sex. All rational thoughts disappeared. Opening her mouth, his tongue entwined with hers, stroking, tasting. No other part of his body touched her; his arms were still braced against the car. Those strong, muscular, tattooed arms. It had been so freaking erotic.

Every fantasy had been blown away by the reality. Damn, the man could kiss. What would his mouth feel like on the rest of her body, down between her...

He had pulled away with a groan and stepped back.

“Have a good trip.” Then, just like that, he had walked away.

Sophie glanced at her phone for the hundredth time. A wave of disappointment hit her again. She thought he might have called or even texted, but nothing.

What did you expect? You turned him down. You’re not interested, remember?

But he’d kissed her. What was she supposed to make of that? Ugh, that kiss was imprinted on her lips. The feel, the taste, his smell. It was the hottest kiss she’d ever experienced.

Her critical inner voice kicked in.

Maybe he hasn’t reached out because he didn’t feel the same way.

Mark had told her she was a lousy kisser. Then again, he told her she was lousy at everything. Yeah, Mark was the reason she wouldn't date another Navy guy. Strong, powerful men with big egos. She’d seen them at McGarry’s bar, taking different girls home every night. The flawless, twenty-somethings, with legs up to their armpits, washboard stomachs and perfectly bronzed skin from the California sunshine. She was not a part of that girl club. Never had been and never would be. Why she had thought Mark would be different baffled her, even now. She swore never to go down that road again, not matter how damn hot and sexy Ryan might be.

Then why do you keep checking your phone to see if he’s texted?

Bringing her attention back to the club, she glanced at Ricardo. He had a phone to his ear and a finger in the other one trying to block out the noise. A tattoo on the inside of his wrist caught her eye. Was that a snake? It was hard to make it out in the light. He was staring at her again, sending a chill down her spine. Looking away, she took Chloe’s hands and danced with her sister, trying to ignore him. A few minutes later Ricardo stood behind Chloe, leaning down to talk in her ear. Sophie watched him hand Chloe his phone, getting her number. He kissed Chloe on the lips, then turned his attention to her, smiling; his dark, almost black eyes freaked her out. What was it about this guy?

“Nice to meet you, Sophie. Unfortunately, I must leave, but I hope to see you again.” He shouted above the music before leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. Trying not to wince, she gave him a small smile, then watched him disappear into the crowd.

Thirty minutes later, she persuaded Chloe to call it a night. Giggling they took a taxi back to Chloe’s apartment.

Snuggled in pajamas and sitting on Chloe’s sofa bed, they sipped hot chocolate, making the most of their final night together. They used to do this all the time as kids. Sneaking into each other’s rooms, then running back to bed when they heard Mom or Dad coming. They were good times, before everything changed.

“Bet you’re looking forward to getting back to your SEAL,” Chloe teased.

“He’s not my SEAL.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “God, I should never have told you about Ryan.”

“Ah, come on. You are into him. I’ve never seen you like this before, all doey-eyed and wistful, checking your phone every five minutes the whole time you’ve been here.”

“I have not!”

Chloe raised her eyebrows. Sophie giggled. She was right, she couldn’t stop thinking about him and that steaming kiss.

“So, are you going to call him when you get back?”

“No.”

“Why not? It’s OK for the woman to make a move, you know.”

“Chloe, he kissed me, then walked away, and I haven’t heard a thing from him. He’s obviously not interested, and I don’t date Navy men. Not again, remember?”

“Maybe he’s busy or away. His team might have been deployed.”

“Yes, but that’s no excuse not to text or call.”

“OK. But you did turn him down, so he might be waiting for some encouragement. Maybe he’s shy.”

Sophie laughed. “If you were to meet him, I don’t think shy is a word you’d use.” Ryan was confident, self-assured and hot. Very, very hot. Ugh! “It’s not going to happen, I’m not his type.”

“How do you know what his type is?”

“Chloe, he is a perfect, handsome, sexy man, and I’ve seen him with perfect, gorgeous sexy, women. That’s not me.”

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