Page 22 of Game Over
Except it wasn’t just a taste. The first swipe of his tongue felt like liquid fire licking through her veins. Every part of her body heated up simultaneously as they explored each other’s mouths like they had all the time in the world.
Intimate, sensual, didn’t even begin to describe that kiss. He owned her in that moment.
When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers while a rough chuckle escaped his lips. “Damn, I forgot how good that felt.”
The feeling was mutual. In her mind, she’d always tried to block out her best moments with Deke because they’d been too painful to remember, but that kiss just unlocked an avalanche of memories… naked, naughty memories.
“Me too.”
Donski was inside with Drew and they were watching a classic cartoon on TV. Harper could hear their laughter filter through the closed glass door and it made her smile.
Deke’s fingers skimmed her cheek. “So, I didn’t want to ask, but after that kiss, I have to. You and Alfinore?”
Harper laughed. “You’re kidding, right?” She’d always thought of Paul as a brother. He’d always been big and bulky, a linebacker on their high school football team, and everyone’s best friend.
He frowned. “No, I’m not kidding. What’s the deal?”
“Deke,” she said, patting his beard-roughened face, “Paul is like, one of my best friends. Always has been. You know that. You didn’t have a problem with it in high school, so why would you now?”
His grip on her tightened. “I didn’t say I had a problem with it. You can be friends with anyone you want. I just wanted to make sure that’s all it is.”
They were stepping into dangerous territory, but she knew if he was the one going out with a female friend tonight she’d be asking the same questions he was. They’d known each other so well a lifetime ago, but a lot had changed since then. They were completely different people and had to get to know each other all over again.
“That’s all it is, I promise.”
Seeming satisfied, he kissed the tip of her nose. “Good.” His lips trailed down to her neck. “I’m really glad you’re coming to the game with us this weekend.”
“Yeah, about that,” she said, flattening her palms against his broad chest. “I should probably get my own room, right?”
“Of course.” He winked. “Adjoining rooms. That way we’ll have a little privacy after Drew goes down for the night.”
Oh, she liked the sound of that. But she had to rein it in, pump the brakes, and remind herself she had a long and complicated history with this man. He’d dumped her once before and broke her heart, she didn’t want to be fooled twice.
Stepping out of his arms, she said, “This isn’t what I expected when I came back to town. You and me.” She walked over to the edge of the balcony, which overlooked an open field that had been slated for a future park, according to the sign.
He closed her in, resting a hand on either side of her, as he nuzzled her neck. “It’s not what I expected either, but I sure as hell hoped.”
“You did?” She turned her head to the side, smiling when he dropped a kiss on her cheek.
“Of course, I did. I heard you were single again.” He curled his big hands around her waist, letting her feel his arousal. “And I prayed you’d give me another chance to make up for the stupid mistake I made all those years ago.”
“You really think it was a mistake, breaking up with me?”
His hand drifted over her stomach, resting there. “Biggest one I ever made. If we hadn’t broken up, we’d be married by now. No doubt in my mind about that.” He nipped her earlobe, smiling when her backside curled into him. “We’d have a couple of kids.” His hand rested possessively on her stomach. “Maybe another on the way.”
A shudder moved through her at the image his words provoked. So many times she’d fantasized about what it would be like to be pregnant with Deke’s baby. It was hard to believe he’d had the same fantasies.
“You really think so?”
“I know so,” he whispered. “And God, when I think about the fun we’d have trying to get pregnant.”
He was killing her and he knew it. Sex with Deke had always been mind-blowing, even with protection, and she knew without that barrier between them, the hot factor would be off the charts.
“Quit teasing me,” she whispered, sounding breathless.
“I’m serious.” His voice was husky as he gripped her hips. “You know how much it turns me on thinking about that?”
She didn’t need to be told. She could tell. “I have some idea.”
