Page 5 of Blame it on the Kiss
Bryce slipped two fingers under his shirt collar, pulled the material away from his neck, and took a step back before he changed his mind and committed an all-out assault on Honor’s incredible mouth. He wished she hadn’t tasted so good.
All those months ago when they’d first met, he’d thought her the perfect girl to help him shed his good guy image. Being the committed, serious relationship type had gotten him nothing but heartache, and he’d wanted a night of no strings attached fun. She’d seemed up for that, too.
Until Payton had come between them.
Payton. Just thinking her name hurt like hell. He’d loved her and she’d trampled all over his heart. Messing around with Honor had almost ruined what little self preservation he’d had left. What a brutal twist of fate that the first girl to spark his interest since Payton was her best friend. Talk about a slap in the face. Guilt had plagued him because he felt like he’d disrespected Payton, and he hated feeling like a bad guy when she had donehimwrong.
Having the chance to talk with Honor after she’d dogged him at the film festival a few months back brought him a better sense of closure, but he couldn’t deny he was still attracted to her. Or that knowing she’d set out to do something for her best friend when it wasn’t her style intrigued him.
Which meant he needed his head examined. He’d made new rules: Never get too attached and never give a woman the power to damage his heart again. One look at Honor made those rules hard to remember. Until mention of Payton jogged his memory. Honor reminded him of what he’d lost, and no doubt supported Payton’s decision to cut all ties with him. He couldn’t trust her. Not by a long shot.
Whatever simmered between them ended in this closet. The kiss just now had been selfish, a lingering desire left over from their night at the hotel.
“Come on. We’ve got a party to get back to.” He opened the closet door and blinked a few times to adjust to the bright light. Voices echoed down the hall from the kitchen and living room area.
Honor slipped by him. “Thank you.”
He grabbed her hand. She spun around and ended up flush against him with her palm pressed to his chest. Her blue-gray eyes sparkled under long, dark lashes, and for a moment he forgot what he was going to say. “What are you doing after the party?” he asked, to get a rise out of her. She brought out a little devil in him.
“I, um—”
“There you are,” Sophie said, walking up behind Honor. “Everything okay?”
Honor wheeled back around. “Absolutely. What’s up?”
“You’re my toilet paper bride.” Sophie turned. “Come on.”
Bryce followed Honor, who followed Sophie. His eyes roamed over Honor’s backside, from her small back covered in a form fitting lilac sweater, to her waist, to the curve of her hips and her shapely rear end in a pair of tight jeans.
She looked over her shoulder. “I’m busy,” she mouthed.
It took him a second to understand she meant later. He nodded, knowing full well she’d answer his question that way.
They reached the large living room with floor to ceiling windows that allowed for views of the ocean, and he headed for his best friend, Zane. “Dude,” Bryce said, patting him on the back and shaking his hand. “It’s not too late to back out.”
Sophie punched him in the biceps right before Zane put his arm around her and brought his bride-to-be close. “Shh,” Zane said. “Don’t give her any ideas.”
Zane and Sophie eyed each other with love and admiration, confirming for the thousandth time that they belonged together. “It’s good to see you so happy, man.”
“How’d your trip go?” Zane asked.
“He signed, so great.” As a sports agent, Bryce had a small list of athletes he represented. Zane garnered him the most return as one of the best pro surfers in the world, but being friends since childhood mattered more than their business partnership. Bryce had spent the past couple of weeks in Seattle with the man he was most proud to add to his agented family: A guy whose body hadn’t been whole since he sat behind the wheel of a Humvee in Iraq three years ago. Today he beat practically everyone in Tough Mudders and Spartan competitions, and sat poised to prove even down a leg, physical fitness was about dedication and perseverance.
After the year Bryce had had, things were finally starting to look up.
“Congratulations.” Zane gave him a knuckle tap.
“Let’s hope my luck holds and I sign the local boy I’ve got my sights on next.”
“Okay everyone,” Zane’s sister, Julia, said, drawing Bryce’s attention to the middle of the room. “It’s time for one more game before we eat.”
Julia started an explanation, but Bryce lost track the second he glanced across the room and caught Honor looking at him. Their gazes collided. She looked away, but he didn’t. Two seconds later, her eyes were back on his.
This time she kept staring. With her long dark blond hair pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head, and full, watermelon red lips, she made his breathing come out a little too fast. She pulled in her bottom lip with her teeth, and he tried not to remember how sweet her mouth tasted.
He couldn’t believe how much that chaste kiss had rocked his world. It had taken all his willpower to pull back when he’d felt the tip of her tongue. His thoughts raced to Payton. Had their first kiss been as potent? He gave himself a mental slap. Comparing his first reaction to the two best friends was a stupid thing to do, but being with Honor brought back memories. Memories best left forgotten because all they did was keep him stuck in a place he didn’t like.
Someone tugged Honor’s arm, stealing her attention.
