Page 73 of Playing the Backbeat

I drop my head to her collarbone. “I’m serious.” I chuckle, breathing in her scent, unable to get enough of her.

“Then why are you laughing? Do you want to stop?” she asks breathlessly, panting as hard as I am. We’re frozen, holding onto each other, waiting on the precipice of whatever this moment means.

Our eyes meet and I realize that none of this feels weird, even if it should. Having her in my arms might be the most comforting feeling I’ve had in a really long time.

“I don’t”—I slide both hands to her ass and pull her against my body. She gasps and then lets out the sexiest moan I’ve ever heard in my life as I lick my way up her neck to whisper in her ear—“ever want to stop. Whatever you’re doing to me…I’d give anything to have it last forever.”

She grips my face between her hands and lifts my mouth to hers, kissing me deeply. Her arms wrap around my shoulders and I revel in her scent, the feel of her thighs gripping my waist as she clings to me.

I’d be lying if I didn’t confess to wanting this. Before tonight. Before I moved into her apartment.

Dee is the sun and I’ve been pulled into her orbit, burning up the closer I’ve been allowed to get to her fire. I’d happily burn for her if it meant I got to hold onto this feeling forever.

The door next to us opens abruptly; a teenager walks out of the hall, wearing the staff uniform, with a joint in one hand and a lighter in the other, eyes practically popping out of his head at the sight of us. It’s at that moment I realize Dee is probably freezing, her toned thighs hanging out of this deep purple dress, the remaining fabric rumpled between our bodies, skinny straps draped over her shoulders having fallen in our…whatever you call this.

He throws a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll just…go back inside now.”

We both nod, then face each other, breaths still heaving before we break into a fit of laughter.

“Oops,” she says before letting her legs drop. I hold her waist as she finds her footing, unable to think of a single fucking thing to say after that kiss.

I’ll think about that kiss forever.

“We should probably go back inside too,” she says sheepishly. A rare state for Dee.

“Yeah,” I say, dragging a hand over the knot beginning to form in my shoulder. “I’ll wait a minute, then follow you in.”

She nods, giving me another once-over, wobbling unsteadily to the door. A sick, primal sort of satisfaction fills me at the sight of her teetering on her heels after she knocked me well and truly off my own axis.

I lean against the building, allowing the chill to seep into my overheated muscles. But it doesn’t help. My entire body is on fire for her, the press of her body forever imprinted in my mind.

Fuck. What happens now?

Chapter thirty-three

Dee

“So…that was crazy, right?” Dylan asks, closing and locking our apartment door behind him.

“Yeah, crazy.”

“Okay.” He snaps his fingers and then claps his hands together, rocking his weight onto his heels before grimacing. “Well, good night.”

“Night.” I watch him run to his bedroom without another look or moment’s hesitation.

I head to my room, mumbling to myself how stupid this all is.What the fuck were we thinking?

I strip out of my dress, trading it for an oversized T-shirt, before brushing my teeth and washing my face. I plug in my phone and turn out the light, but before I lie down, light under the doorway catches my eye…as does the shadow of someone standing on the other side.

“Dylan?”

I hear a thump, and I smile, picturing him resting his forehead against the door.

I make my way to meet him, a skip in my step. When I open the door, Dylan nearly tumbles into me. He’s shirtless, in just his dress pants, his hair looking rumpled and sexy as hell.

“Phew.” I swipe the back of my hand across my forehead. “Thought I was starring in a horror movie with the way that started out. Shadow under the door…silent footsteps. You’re giving all the wrong vibes here, Dylan.”

“Sorry, I…” His voice fades, looking so uncertain. So lost. Maybe I am too. And maybe that’s okay. Maybe it’s better to be lost together than alone. Maybe life is just about getting lost with the right person. Maybe that’s how we find out where we want to go.