Free Flirting With Maybe by Wendy Higgins Page B

and led her to his room, closing the door behind them. She’d been in his room lots of times back in the day, but this felt different. It was different. Back then, he used to leave the door open.
    They faced each other, a few feet apart, making no move. He didn’t smile, and neither did she. When she lifted a hand to push hair behind her ear he noticed her trembling.
    Was she scared? Nervous? Wishing she could change her mind?
    “We don’t have to do anything,” he told her.
    She peered down at their feet before meeting his eyes again. He couldn’t believe how unsettled she looked.
    “You don’t want to?” she asked.
    “I didn’t say that. I’m just saying you don’t owe me anything.”
    “I owe you a lot.” She took a tentative step forward. “Listen . . . I know you used to have a crush on me. And I know I wasn’t exactly careful about your feelings. I’m sorry I never took you more seriously.” Her dark chocolate eyes stayed on his, watering slightly, but steady. “I just . . . this feels bigger . . . more real than anything. I don’t want to mess it up. If we do this, it’ll change everything. And I’m worried that if we hook up, it’ll break the spell, and you’ll be over it.”
    Ryan couldn’t help but be hurt that she thought she was only a conquest for him. He rumpled his flat hair and wished he had his hat on.
    “This isn’t just some crush, Brooke. It’s not going to disappear.”
    “How do you know?” Her eyes were really watering now. “I don’t think I could take it if you didn’t want anything to do with me afterward. I know I have no right to expect anything. I haven’t exactly been a great friend, but now that I have you again, I don’t want to lose you.”
    He couldn’t believe she thought she’d be the one who would end up hurt. “That’s not going to happen, because I love you. If anyone’s getting their heart broken here, it’s me. Not you.”
    “I don’t want to hurt you either,” she whispered.
    “Then don’t. Don’t run from me. Let me in.”
    The tension, distinct and electric, built between them until he stepped forward, slipped his hand under her hair, and pulled her face to his. Her arms went around his neck and she kissed him back without hesitation, pressing her body against his and pulling him tighter. Vanilla swarmed his system. They kissed until her back bumped against the wall and they broke away. Both were breathing hard.
    “Ry . . .” Brooke let out a nervous giggle. “This is so . . . you’re so—”
    “Shh.”
    He kissed her again, and when she moaned he felt it all the way to his bare toes.
    She’d come to him, fearful and sober, wanting him. It was all he could think about.
    With both palms on her neck, and his thumbs rubbing her jawline, he felt her pulse race beneath his hands as she reached for the button on his jeans.
    “Uh-uh,” he said against her lips, dropping his hands to take her wrists and pull them around his waist.
    Ryan kissed her harder, and seconds later he tasted salt. He pulled back enough to see tears streaming down her cheeks. But she wasn’t sad. He worried if he’d been too rough with her, only to feel her nails dig into his lower back as her hands slipped under his shirt and pulled him closer.
    She lifted his shirt, and he let her pull it over his head. The little, feminine sound of approval she made at the sight of him nearly caused him to lose all sense of right and wrong. Then she shocked him by pulling her own shirt over her head. Ryan knew he must look like a virginal preteen because he couldn’t stop staring at her soft, creamy skin and beautiful curves. Brooke just stroked his face and ran her fingers down his arms, letting him look.
    He held his breath as he reached for her waist. When he touched her, she didn’t pull away. She arched her back toward him, and his mouth came down on hers again. He pulled her toward the bed, never breaking the kiss, and brought her down so they were both