Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(10)

“Yeah.” I stroke her cheek again. “A friendly kiss.”

She’s shaking her head, but I can already tell she’s considering. “No way.”



“Come on. Are you afraid you’ll like it? You scared you might want another, or possibly something else?”

“Yeah right,” she argues. “You’re too full of yourself. I think you need a reality check. Not every woman falls for your fake charm.”

“Honey, there ain’t a damn thing fake about me.”

“I’m not your honey,” she states.

I take her by the chin and force her to look at me. Those blue eyes are tainted from her tears. “You think I’m sexy, don’t ya?”

“I’m not answering that,” she exclaims with a straight face.

I’m finding it difficult to keep my composure. The more she fights, the harder I’m going to try. “I want that kiss.”

“I’m not giving it to you.”

“What if I lean forward and take it?”

“You might get slapped,” she warns.

“Might? That means there’s a chance you could like it, right?”

“A slim one at that.”

I inch forward. “This isn’t how I wanted it to happen.” I keep going, watching as her eyes begin to slowly close. She’s giving in, her heart too broken to deny attention.

My bottom lip courses over hers. I’m precise and gentle, making sure her hand isn’t coming up to knock me sideways. When she doesn’t move I proceed, sucking her lower lip in between mine. I graze them both again, sliding my tongue out to test the waters, then I back away and wait for a response.”

Her lids flutter open and we’re right back to staring at each other. “Wasn’t so bad was it?”

She wipes it away, as if it erases what happened. “Not terrible.”

“And?” I expect a reaction.

“And what? It wasn’t spectacular or anything.”

That’s when I take matters into my own hands and let her have it. My lips crash into hers. My tongue intrudes until hers is there, warm and welcoming. I feel hands coming up my chest and pull her closer. She’s getting into it. Her eyes are closed, and we’re starting to get a rhythm between us. About thirty seconds later she’s pulling away out of breath. I’m turned on at the idea of getting my way. She’s sexy, her soft skin a reminder of how long it’s been since I’ve shared my bed with a woman. Maybe I’m lonely, possibly a bit desperate. I’m going to extremes to convince someone who probably should run in the opposite direction from me. I want her, and I’m going to have her, maybe not tonight, but somewhere in the near future. I’m going to make her forget all about that Shaun guy. She’ll thank me later.

“And now?” I request.

She shrugs. “I may need another go to compare.”

The next kiss is nothing like the first two. She initiates it, and I’m silently celebrating my success. I knew I could get to her. Desperate or not, I have her exactly where I want her.

This time she pulls away with confidence. “This won’t change me.”

I kiss her once before responding, “Keep telling yourself that.” Then I’m right back to loving on those puffy lips again.

Our heated make out session leaves me anxious for more, but I know there’s a line I’m not about to cross. I can’t have her hating me in the morning. I’m too proud to take advantage of woman like that. She’s messed up in the head at the moment, so I’d rather her simmer with temptation than regret.

We’re sitting close on one of the couches, a movie playing on the small flat screen television in front of us, but I don’t think either of us are paying attention. I can’t stop kissing her. She feels good in my arms, her tiny frame fitting easily in my hold. The fruity smell of her shampoo makes my mouth water as I nuzzle my tongue over her earlobe. She’s slow to make a move on me. Her hands travel up and down my chest until she gets the nerve to lift the fabric over my head. Then I watch as she takes in my bare chest, her fingernails tracing over the sculpted muscles I’ve always seemed to have. “Wow.”

I chuckle against her cheek. “I get that a lot.”

She snickers as our lips meet. “I don’t doubt it.”

When I play with the buttons at the front of her shirt, I hear her take in a deep breath letting me know I have to slow down again. We take one step forward and then wait an hour for the next move. “Sorry,” I manage, even though I’m not.

“It’s okay. I didn’t see this happening. I can’t believe I’m here with you, at your family ranch. Growing up, all the girls talked about the Mitchell and Healy boys. It’s a little terrifying for me, especially given my circumstance for coming here.” She closes her eyes and seems to be struggling. “I don’t want to want you, Josh. Does that even make sense? I know I shouldn’t do this.”

“Is it taking the pain away?”

She bites down on her bottom lip while thinking about it. “So far, but I’m thinking we may need to break out the hard liquor before I start freaking out again.”

I pull the bottle of whiskey from the brown bag and hand it to her. “You can take the first shot.”

“Out of the bottle?” She questions.