The Bet (The Bet #1)(60)

“I think I’m going to kiss you.”

“I think I want you to,” Kacey whispered as his lips descended toward hers. She tasted like bittersweet chocolate and wine. His hands moved to touch her skin then glided over her cheeks and dipped into her hair.

“Thank you…” Her voice was husky. “For saying that.” She pulled away and sniffed as her eyes began to water. “The last person who told me I was beautiful was my mother.”

“That,” he said as he kissed her nose. “Is a shame. You should be told you’re beautiful every day. Because every day it’s true, and every time I see you, you grow in your beauty. Just because people don’t say the words, doesn’t mean it’s any less true, Kace.”

She bit her lip and looked down. He kissed her forehead and reached for the chocolate. “Chocolate makes everything better.”

“Where have you been all my life?” she said, watery-eyed.

“Home,” Travis answered a note of seriousness in his voice. “I’ve been home, waiting for you.”

****

They drove home in silence. A light rain pattered across the windshield. Travis wasn’t sure what had shifted between them, but something had changed. Maybe he had been too vulnerable with her, his emotions felt raw, but then again, Kacey’s probably did as well.

It was dark by the time the truck pulled back into the driveway. They had spent at least three hours talking and sharing childhood memories. Several times Travis had wanted to drown himself in the river. After all, most of their childhood memories were of him stalking her or being hateful, and Kacey crying.

But they’d still had fun.

He didn’t remember ever spending so much time with a girl and wanting the day to never end.

Not to mention the night.

He turned the truck off and ran to the other side to open Kacey’s door.

“Tired?” his voice cracked.

“You’d think after all that wine and chocolate I would be.” Kacey hopped out and gave him a shrug. “You up for a movie?”

I’m up for anything. “Whatever you want.”

“Great.” She bounced to the door and turned around. “But it’s my choice.”

“No Care Bears.”

“No Alice in Wonderland.”

They shook on it like they were five and burst out laughing as Travis let them into the house.

Everything was blanketed in darkness. In all his haste to start his romantic evening, he hadn’t left any lights on. The door clicked closed. Suddenly it felt very small in the giant living room. As if the air was being sucked out the windows. Travis told himself to calm down. But he was painfully aware of the girl standing next to him. The one that really did get away. The girl next door.

He sighed, not meaning for it to be so loud.

And the next thing he knew, Kacey’s mouth was on his.

“What about the movie?” he asked lamely, his body tensed in protest.

“Forget about the movie.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed into his ear.

“Forgotten.”

He lifted her easily into his arms and carried her up the stairs, only stopping once they were inside his room.

Slow motion, everything was in slow motion. The music in the background wasn’t even enough to drown out the roaring of blood in his ears. He must have left his iPod on from this morning when his alarm went off.

He swallowed, then reached out to touch her arm.

That simple gesture, the feel of her skin, was enough to make him dizzy. “Kace…” How was he supposed to want her? To love her as she deserved, when all he could think about was wiping his brother from her memory completely.

Kacey looked up, her eyes clear and bright. She moved her hand slowly across his chest. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel — everything.

He knew his breathing sounded ragged. He knew his control was slowly fading into a puddle at her feet, but he didn’t care.

Nothing made him more nervous than the look she’d just given him, as if he could singlehandedly save the world, cure cancer, and still be home for dinner, all within the span of twenty-four hours. It was a responsibility he wasn’t sure he was ready for, but they had nowhere else to go.

They couldn’t return to being friends.

And he didn’t want to.

But he couldn’t help but worry that at some point, he was going to screw up. He wasn’t sure how, but he had a feeling things would go horribly wrong if he rushed things with her. Their friendship was fragile as it was.

Travis opened his eyes. They were alone in his bedroom, and suddenly he felt like he was in high school again. Reliving his most vivid of fantasies.

He had to say no. He needed to take things slowly.

Kacey pulled his head down to hers and kissed him so hard he nearly lost his balance, not to mention his heart.

The words, I can’t and let’s take this slow, no longer mattered as he grasped her arms and braced them above her head against the wall. With a moan she leaned back her head, exposing her neck and breasts.

He took full advantage.

He kissed down her neck, licked across her cheekbone, dipped his tongue in her mouth, and groaned when she bit his lip and tried to fight him.

“Make me forget him,” she whimpered.

“My pleasure.” He nipped her lip and pulled her into his arms, then hastily threw her onto the bed.