I fucking suck at this backing off thing.

Eli and Heather are going to kill me, but I’ll go down a happy man. Everything about this woman is intoxicating. She has no idea how beautiful she is, and when she laughs, her blue eyes brighten and make me want to drop to my knees. There’s no reason I can find as to why I feel this way about her, yet here I am, making the wrong choices.

Telling her shit I swore I wouldn’t.

Doing things I promised my friends I wouldn’t even attempt.

The way she smiles without any reservations, sings as if no one is listening, and danced with me without hesitation have all combined to make me well and truly fucked. I couldn’t walk away now if I wanted to.

The car ride has been quiet. Kristin seems lost in herself, and I don’t want to push her. I think through all the stupid shit I let fly out of my mouth, hoping I didn’t sound like a lunatic.

“You okay?” I ask as we pull into her driveway.

“Yeah, sorry, just piecing together the article in my head.” She smiles.

“I hope I gave enough for the interview.”

“You did. I think it’ll be great.”

I nod once and exit the car. I know this isn’t a date, but my mother would kick my ass all the way back to the farm if I didn’t treat a woman with respect and open her door. The few steps I take, I remind myself to back off.

After a deep breath, I pull the door open and help her out. She wobbles a little, catching herself in my arms. I pull her against me, holding her a bit closer than strictly necessary. Kristin’s eyes lift, and there’s no denying the desire floating in them. I can feel her pulse racing, but I lock myself down.

“Noah,” she says my name with a sigh.

“Tell me you don’t feel anything.” I give her a chance out of this. I’ll let her go if she says the words. “Tell me to stop coming around and that you’re not interested.”

“I can’t . . .”

My hand slides up her back, molding her body to mine. “I want to kiss you.”

She shakes her head, but her fingers move against my chest and find their way to the back of my neck. “We shouldn’t.”

“No, we shouldn’t,” I agree. “But if you don’t stop me, I’m going to.”

Kristin’s fingers play with the hair at my nape.

My restraint is slipping.

“Three.” I start to count.

“Two.”

Kristin moves a little closer to my mouth, and I’m done.

Our lips meet, and I lean her back against the car, pinning her so she can’t escape. I kiss her as if it could be the last kiss we ever share. My hands move higher so I can cup her neck. When she sighs, I take the opening and slide my tongue inside. Kristin kisses me back, meeting me in every way. She wants me just as much as I want her.

Each time her tongue reaches mine, she makes a sound that goes straight to my dick. As much as I wish I could’ve kissed her last night, I’m damn glad she can’t blame this on alcohol. My hands move down her body, loving every curve and dip.

Her fingers roam back to my chest, and her body tenses before she pushes me back.

“That . . .” She struggles to catch her breath. “That was . . .”

“Fantastic.” I finish for her.

“Yes. It was, but that shouldn’t have happened. Damn it. What is wrong with me?”

I take her face in my hands. “Nothing is wrong with you.”

Kristin’s eyes fill with regret. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“You didn’t do anything.” This is all my fault. I’m the one who kissed her when I know all the shit she is going through. “It’s me who should be sorry.”

Kristin looks at the ground. “No, you shouldn’t. I wanted you to kiss me. I wanted to kiss you, and I want a lot more, but I can’t . . .”

My finger hooks under her chin, and I force her to look at me. “Because?”

I know all the reasons, but I need to be reminded so I don’t kiss her again.

“I’m writing an article on you and your love life.”

Is she serious? She thinks I give a fuck about that? She can write whatever she wants, they all do anyway. If that’s her big reason, she has a whole new fight on her hands. One I’ll win.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I can’t do this.” Kristin slips out from between the car and me and starts to walk off.

I rush after her, not wanting this to be how our night ends. “I’m sorry,” I say as I grab her arm. “I didn’t mean to push you.”

She lets out a deep breath. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s been a really long time since I’ve felt anything like this, and it’s confusing and exciting and scary as hell. The truth is, we would never work.” Kristin’s hand rests on my chest. “I’m not ready, and I promise you don’t want to even dip your toes into my crazy life.”

If she only knew that I’d dive in headfirst.

I release her arm, knowing that I have to take a step back. Heather’s words of warning ring in my head about the piece of shit her husband is and all the damage he’s done to her that she doesn’t even see.

“Can we be friends?” I ask, because I have a feeling it’s the only way she’ll agree to see me again.

“Really?” There is a cute little hint of surprise in her voice. “You want to be friends? I’m starting to question your sanity.”

“Are you not ready to be friends? I figured we crossed over to that when I didn’t let you drown.”

She looks at the sky and mutters. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

“Probably not. Plus, it’s my insurance policy if you write some crap about me that isn’t true. It’s all about leverage.”

“Good to know.” She slaps my arm. “I’m pretty sure my reporting that you stripped an unconscious drunk girl wouldn’t bode well for your reputation, either.”

I lean in, inhaling the scent of her citrus perfume. “That’s not how I remember it.”

“Well, Mr. Frazier, we’ll just have to keep our aces in our pockets, now won’t we?”

I rock back with a grin. “I guess we will. I look forward to reading the article.”

Kristin grins. “I appreciate the exclusive, and tonight. I’m really sor—”

“Don’t say it.” I lift my hand. “It’s me who needs to apologize. Can we start over?”

She nods. “I’d like that.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out two sticks of gum. I hand her one. “No magic pill, but I have gum that helps you forget.”

Kristin’s smile is wide as she accepts my offering. “Magic gum, huh?”

“I hear it helps when you want to erase the past and start over.”

I’m being the cheesiest fucking guy ever, but it’s working.

“Well, then.” She unwraps the stick and pops it into her mouth, and I do the same. “Working yet?”

I am an actor, time to do what I know. “I’m Noah Frazier, Eli’s friend.” I extend my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Noah,” she says as she shakes. “I’m Kristin McGee, Heather has told me so much about you. I’m hoping to talk sometime soon for an article I’m writing.”

“I look forward to seeing you for an interview.”

“Me, too.” Kristin pulls her bottom lip between her teeth as she ducks her head.

I cover her hand with my other one. “Have a great night, Ms. McGee.”

She removes her hand and touches my arm. “Good night, Noah. I had a great time.”

“I look forward to more.” I wink and turn toward the car.

I remember what my drama teacher said about always leaving them wanting more, and that’s exactly what I plan to do with her.