Page 76 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

My breath catches.

“And I think it’ll forever be my favorite.”

“I think you’re rating it a little too high, considering I’m not going to put out.”

A wide smile spreads across his lips. “So you’re finally admitting that this was a date?” His hand returns to its new home on my waist, anchoring me to him.

“N-no, that’s not what I⁠—”

He laughs, sending a puff of warm air spreading across my face. Goose bumps erupt down my neck, and my nipples pebble against the confines of my bra.

“Just admit it, darlin’. You went on a date tonight with Calvin Keller.”

I roll my eyes at him and gasp as his fingers grasp my chin.

Seconds pass, but he doesn’t say anything, and when he finally does, it has my resolve crumbling.

“I don’t want to hook up with you because I know that one night would never be enough. I wouldn’t be able to send you away once we were done. It would be physically impossible. Every time I leave you, I want more, and if we were to spend the night together, I know that it would be exactly the same in the morning.

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to spend time with, just to hang out. I love spending time with you, Sienna. I always have.”

I search his eyes, trying to find the lie in his words, but they’re not there.

“I wanted you from the very first time I saw you, and that hasn’t changed.

“So, what do you say? Go on a second date with me?”

All the reasons why I should say no spin around my head, but as his eyes bore into mine and his hand burns into my skin, I can’t verbalize a single one of them. Instead, I find myself whispering, “Yes.”

As if he were holding his breath, waiting for my answer, a rush of air tickles over me again, and I shudder. Even if there was a chance of him missing it, he’d have felt it.

“I’m not going to ask if I can come in. I want to. Fuck, darlin’. I really fucking want to. But I won’t, because that isn’t what this is.”

What is this?

“I’m just gonna ask for one thing?”

I nod, unable to speak.

“Can I kiss you?”

I swear my heart skips a beat.

This man, a player who usually takes exactly what he wants, fuck the consequences, is standing before me, asking for permission to kiss me.

I roll my lips between my teeth, pretending to think about my answer.

The truth is, there really only is one.

And anyway, what’s the harm in one little kiss?

People do it all the time. It’s not like it really means anything.

Right?

“Yes.”

My agreement is barely audible, and from the way Calvin’s eyes widen, I don’t think he was expecting it.