Shut Out (Bayard Hockey #1)(10)

Ugh. I sigh. I know he’s right, but I’ve spent my whole life trying to keep up with my older sister. Trying to prove to my parents I’m as good as she is. As smart. As talented. Except so far it’s never really worked, so I have no idea why I think this is going to. And even if I actually do make it into med school, Elisha will probably end up being a neurosurgeon and I’ll be a family practice doctor. “Well.” I beam a smile. “Some things are worth working for, right? I mean, some of my classes are challenging, but that just means I have to work harder.”

“Determination, eh?”

I can’t help my grin. “Canadian, eh?”

He looks abashed. “The guys keep bugging me about that. I didn’t realize how often I say it. That one slipped out.”

“It’s cute.”

His eyes flicker, as if he’s not sure I mean it or if I’m flirting with him because he’s a hockey player.

Am I?

No. I don’t care if he’s a hockey player. He’s cute and smart and funny and I’m enjoying talking to him. And I know it’s not going anywhere, so I can be myself without worrying if I’m making a good impression or coming across as dorky and studious. Or if it’s going to lead to something more than I can deal with.

He lifts a hand to shift some hair off my face with a gentle gesture, and his gaze moves down over my hair. He likes it.

My breasts ache and my nipples tingle. Oh wow. When our eyes meet, I see the same kind of heat reflected in his.

I haven’t felt this alive in months, and only with this arousal shimmering through me do I realize exactly how…anesthetized I’ve felt.

“You have a very sexy mouth.” Oh my God. Did I really just say that?

“Thanks. I thought the same about you.” And he touches my face, his thumb brushing over my lower lip.

Heat spirals up through me from my core and my gaze is locked to his. My lips part and I am aching for him to kiss me. I want to know if his sexy mouth tastes and feels as good as it looks.

This is so not like me, and I don’t know what’s getting into me. Maybe it’s the heady feeling of knowing I’m with a guy every other girl at the party wants. Maybe it’s the hard lemonade. Maybe it’s relief at knowing I can actually feel this way again. My body is tingling and warm everywhere, especially between my legs and in the tips of my breasts. So I go up on my toes and touch my lips to his.

We’re still staring at each other, but his eyelids grow heavy at my soft kiss. His eyes close briefly, and his hand goes to my hip and pulls me closer. Then our eyes meet again and fire consumes me. His lips quirk in that sexy way. “You just kissed me.”

I blink. “Uh…yeah.”

“Okay, then.” And his eyes close as his mouth moves back to mine.

I’m helpless to resist. I’m longing for a deeper taste and I close my own eyes as our mouths meet.

Kissing is so lovely. And Jacob is an amazing kisser. His mouth is firm and warm, with just the right amount of pressure, and his tongue licks inside with confidence, not aggression. He’s bold but tender. His hands clasp my hips and pull my lower body flush against his, and I set my hands on his shoulders.

His bones are big, his muscles thick. I feel his arousal growing against my lower belly. He’s turned on too.

I mean, it doesn’t take much for guys to get hard. But still, it’s a rush knowing that’s for me.

My usual good judgment has disappeared as I fall into the kiss with everything I have. My fingers curl into his shirt, then I slip one hand around the back of his neck. I rub my fingertips over the short hair and soft skin at the nape of his neck, and he groans into my mouth.

He lifts his mouth only long enough to tilt my chin to a different angle, then claims me again in another long, lush kiss. My heart is pounding, my blood rushing hot in my veins. I press my aching breasts against his chest and another rumble rises there.

Over and over our mouths meet and cling, part, then meet again. I lick his tongue, nip at his bottom lip. His erection is getting even bigger. I want to feel it, but dimly recall that we are in a kitchen with other people around.

We’re not the only ones making out, I know that, and I heard that couple having sex in a bedroom upstairs. I want to be upstairs, in a bedroom, alone with Jacob, stretched out on a bed so we can twist ourselves up together.

Thick, liquid heat converges low in my belly, forming an insistent throb behind my clit.

Finally, Jacob lifts his head and gives me a dazed, hot look. “Jesus, Rapunzel. What a mouth.”

The tip of my tongue touches my top teeth. “Is that a compliment?”

“Hell yeah.” He lifts a hand to cup my face, his thumb petting the corner of my mouth. I turn my head, open my lips, and bite his thumb. His eyes darken, and I suck his thumb into my mouth. It feels so good and I can tell we’re both thinking of me sucking on other parts of him.

“Holy hell, you’re sexy,” he rasps out. He grinds his hips into mine and my belly does a flip of lust.

“So are you.”

I’ve never in my life done this—I mean, I’ve had sex, but I’ve never been the one to come on to a guy like this, especially someone I just met. But I want to have sex with him. It’s crazy because I don’t even know him, but I’m so attracted to him and I’m so turned on, my panties are soaked right through to my shorts. The intense ache there is obliterating reason. And I shock myself as I whisper the words that spring to my lips. “Want to go upstairs?”