Page 85 of The Last Goodbye

I couldn’t say that. We’d already discussed all the reasons this wouldn’t work.

“Coffee. Food. A shower.”

She glanced around. “I’m done with my walk. Want me to make you breakfast while you shower? I’m starving.”

I cooked for people. That was my world. Kitchens, heat, noise, orders were all things I could control. It was always me taking care of everyone else, feeding them, making sure they had what they needed before they even had to ask.

No one ever offered it back.

Not like that.

Not like it meant something.

“You want to cook for me, Magpie?” I asked, stepping closer, my voice lighter than the moment felt.

“I may not be a gourmet chef, but I know how to scramble some eggs. I’m guessing you have plenty of food in that kitchen of yours?”

“All right, I’d like that,” I said as we walked side by side toward the boat.

We stepped onto the deck, and she followed me down the steps to the kitchen, where I opened the refrigerator. “I’ve got plenty of eggs and cheese, and there’s some bacon in there as well. Toast in the cabinet above.”

“I know my way around a kitchen.” She moved to the sink and washed her hands as I made my way toward the bathroom.

And then I turned around and watched her stand over the sink, her skin kissed by the sun. Her legs were lean, with just the right amount of muscle, and I couldn’t stop staring at her.

She turned around, her gaze meeting mine when she caught me watching her. “What’s wrong?”

“I missed you,” I admitted, moving a few steps in her direction. “It surprised me.”

She tilted her head to the side. “I missed you, too,” she whispered.

I didn’t hesitate. I stalked toward her, my mouth crashing into hers as I reached beneath her ass and lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around my waist.

Her hands were tangled in my hair as I pressed her against the wall, kissing her like my fucking life depended on it.

I couldn’t get enough.

Our tongues tangled as I devoured her mouth.

“Fuck,” I said, pulling back to look at her. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“Neither can I,” she said, nipping at my mouth and then kissing her way down my neck. “I want you, Bass.”

I claimed her mouth again, my dick raging against the zipper of my jeans as I walked her toward my bedroom. I set her down on the bed, bending down to look at her. “Are you sure about this? Because I’m not strong enough to tell you it’s a bad idea.”

“It’s definitely a bad idea.” She chuckled, then tilted her head to the side as she pushed up on her elbows and smiled. “But maybe it can be just like the kiss. We do it once and get it out of our systems. We were fine after the kiss, right?”

Well, aside from thinking about it day and night since it happened—sure.

“One time, huh?” I whispered against the shell of her ear before trailing kisses along her neck and collarbone.

“Yes. We’re friends who happen to be attracted to one another and understand that it’s temporary.” Her words were breathy.

I pulled back to look at her. “Sounds like the makings of a disaster, but I’m in.”

She lifted her arms over her head for me to tug her tank top off. “I’m not looking for forever. I’ll settle for just enjoying the moment.”

I tugged at the hem of her tank top, yanked it up over her body, and tossed it on the floor. I ran my fingers over the hard peaks poking through her sports bra. “Do you know how many times I’ve thought about these fucking tits?”