We are in and out of the grocery store in a breeze. Drew knows exactly what he wants and exactly where to get it. When he tries to pay, I shove $40 in the pocket of his jeans. He doesn't object. Maybe he likes my hands in his pants.

A girl can dream.

At home, Drew chops and dices, lost in his cooking the same way he gets lost in the guitar.

I measure flour, sugar, and cocoa powder. A few minutes and this cake will be ready for the oven. "Could you set the preheat to three-fifty?"

He murmurs some kind of affirmative, but he doesn't turn toward me. I focus on stirring, my fingers wrapped around the wooden spoon. The batter is thick and rich and it smells like some wonderful mix of vanilla and chocolate. I dip a finger and bring a taste to my mouth.

"Mmmm." I groan much louder than I mean to.

Drew turns almost instantly. "Shit. I was worried Meg and Miles were hiding upstairs."

My cheeks flush. "Only me."

"That good?"

I offer him the spoon of batter. Instead of grabbing the spoon, he licks it.

His tongue slides over his lips. He grabs the spoon and licks it again.

"Hey!"

I try to grab it back, but he holds it over my head. Damn, Drew is so much taller than I am. There's no way I'll manage to grab it by jumping.

I push myself up, ass on the counter. I hold onto the cabinet to steady myself and slide to my knees. I reach for the spoon but Drew takes a step back. It's still out of reach. He smirks and shakes his head like he knows he's defeating me.

Oh, that's how he's going to play it? I slide off the counter and plant my feet on the ground. I scoop a glob and take two steps toward him.

I fling the batter on his nose.

His eyes close as he winces. "You're asking for it now." He charges, slides his hand in the batter, and flings it on my face.

Oh, fuck, that's cold and sticky all at once.

Drew looks at me as if to call a truce. But the words truce do not flow from his lips. Nice try.

I flick a scoop in his direction. He ducks but it lands on his neck and his otherwise perfectly clean white t-shirt.

He shakes his head. His eyes narrow. He reaches around me and dips his hand in the bowl.

He moves closer. Until his crotch is pressed against mine. He shifts, pinning me to the counter. My lungs empty. My interest in our food fight evaporates. He feels damn good against me.

Drew smiles as he hovers his batter-covered fingers over my nose. He draws a line down my face, chin, neck, chest. It stops at the neckline of my t-shirt.

That flutter builds between my legs. His fingers are inches from my breasts.

I take a deep breath, willing my body to calm down. It doesn't work.

"Truce," I offer.

He draws another line down my face. His lips curl into a smile. "Truce."

"Asshole."

He laughs. "Here." He wets a towel in the sink and tosses it to me.

I wipe my face, chest, and neck and toss the towel to Drew. He doesn't quite manage to get clean.

"Come here," I say.

He slides one hand around my hip and presses me into the counter.

Somehow, I stay focused on my task. I rub my thumb over his cheek to wipe off the batter.

His eyes find mine. They're not playful anymore. They're wide with desire.

He takes my wrist and brings my thumb to his mouth.

His tongue presses against the fleshy pad. It's strange how sensitive my skin is. How good his mouth feels.

Desire shoots through me, but I maintain a hint of sense. We're not in too deep. Not yet.

Drew releases me. I run my thumb over his lower lip. It's soft. Kissable.

His stare is intense. I pull my hand back to my side and stare back. We're about to cross some line that can't be uncrossed.

It's a terrible idea but I can't talk myself out of it.

Drew drags his fingertips across my chest. He picks up a smidge of batter and brings it to my mouth. I part my lips to make way for his finger. His skin is hard and calloused.

I take it deeper. Suck harder. My head fills with all sorts of ideas.

It's not enough. I need more. I need all of him.

He traces the outline of my lips and slides his hand into my hair. His eyelids flutter together as he brings his lips to mine.

Eyes closed, I lean into his kiss. It sends me straight into a frenzy. I have to grab onto his shoulders to stay upright.

Drew's lips are against mine. Drew is kissing me. It's not for show. It's not a dare. It's because he wants me.

He sucks on my lower lip. He digs his hands into my hair, holding my mouth against his. All I can do is react. Press my fingers into his skin. Part my lips to make way for his tongue. Shift my hips against his.

I don't breathe until he releases the kiss.

His eyes find mine. He runs his thumb against my cheek. "Kara."

I swallow hard. Talking just might ruin this. So I close my eyes and I slide my hands into Drew's hair and I kiss him.

His lips are soft and they taste like chocolate and sugar. He doesn't hesitate. He kisses back, hands on my hips, tongue in my mouth.

Every part of my body is awake and alive and every part of it wants Drew. I arch my back to press my chest into his.

No waiting. He grabs my t-shirt and pulls it over my head. He drags his fingertips down my arm and shoulders and traces the outline of my bra.

That flutter spreads through my stomach and chest and thighs until every part of me is buzzing with electricity.

Drew is touching me.

Drew is kissing me.

Drew is mine. For the next few minutes at least.

He unhooks my bra. I moan into his mouth. Drew is going to take off my bra. Drew is going to see me topless.

It's like I'm a desperate high school student again. The only thing I want is Drew feeling me up. Every second he's not touching me is horrible agony.

He breaks our kiss. His fingers hook around my bra straps. He drags the left strap down until my breast spills out. My sex clenches. I swallow hard.

Then the right.

His eyes go wide. Pupils dilate. "Fuck." He lets out a breathy sigh. "You have no idea how badly I've wanted to see you like this."

He cups my breast and I'm warm all over. Hell, I'm on fire.

My eyes flutter closed. I arch my back to push my chest into his hands. "How badly?"

Drew rubs his thumb over my nipple. "I go out of my fucking mind thinking about you." His voice gets low and heavy. He rubs me harder. "But you're so much better than I imagined."

Heat spreads through me. "You haven't..."

One hand goes to my hips and holds them in place. He presses his crotch against mine, so I can feel his erection straining against his jeans. Drew is hard because of me. I swear I must be dreaming.

I pinch my forearm and pull my eyes open. He's staring at me with this look on his face that says he's desperate to touch me.

Not dreaming.

So much better than dreaming.

"I have. Since forever," he growls. "You dress like you're trying to kill me."

I bring my lips back to his and speak in between kisses. "You flirt like you're trying to kill me."

"I am." He rubs me harder.

I hook my arm around his neck. "How long have you wanted me?"

"Since I can remember." He kisses a trail down my neck and chest.

"Why didn't you try anything?"

"Didn't want to fuck this up."

His mouth closes over my nipple and he sucks hard, the way he sucked on my thumb. Heat spreads through me. Pleasure builds between my legs. I can barely think anything except Drew. He's wanted me since he can remember.

He wants me.

He's hard because of me.

My untouchable rock star best friend is hard because of me.

He moves to my other nipple. One of his hands goes to the inside of my knee and traces a line up, up, up.

I press my legs together and shift away from him. God, I want Drew's hands on me, but it's not worth the risk of ruining this completely.

His hands go my hips and he kisses his way back up my chest and neck. His lips meet mine and his tongue plunges into my mouth.

I let out a low moan and grab the counter to stay upright. I reach for his shirt and pull it over his head. He lifts his arms to help me. And then his hands are on my hips. They trail down the outside of my thighs. He plays with the hem of my skirt, getting closer and closer to my inner thighs.

It feels so good. I'm warm everywhere and I'm so desperate for his touch, but I can't let him see those scars.

"Drew." I shift back and press my legs together.

His eyes find mine. "Oh, shit. I forgot."

I smooth my skirt over my thighs. "It's nothing personal."

He takes a step back. His demeanor changes, so it's tense and awkward. "So, what... we can keep going as long as I don't touch you?"

I swallow hard. "Please."

He takes another step back. His eyes turn down, like he's confused by his own reaction. "I can't, Kara. I have to touch you. I've been going out of my fucking mind thinking about touching you."

The oven beeps. The preheat is done. What perfect timing. Drew's eyes are on the floor. It's like he's suddenly lost all interest in me.

I take a deep breath and push myself off the counter. "I understand." I reach for my top, but it's too mortifying standing here half-naked and mid rejection. I turn and make my way for the stairs.

"Kara."

"I'll see you later."

"At least tell me why."

I run up the stairs like I didn't hear him.