Crushing on Love (The Bradens of Peaceful Harbor, Book Four) by Melissa Foster Page A

is.”
    “For the record, your being with Will wouldn’t stop me from wanting you. It would piss me off, but at least I’d know I didn’t hold you back.”
    “From?”
    “From the life you want. The life you deserve.” His face went hard, tense. “Stop this, Shannon. This can’t happen.”
    “Why?”
    “Because it can’t go anywhere.”
    She heard the words. She even processed them, and she didn’t do flings, but her heart was so full of Steve, not one ounce of her wanted to give up the chance to get closer to him.
    “Do all relationships have to go somewhere?” It was a stupid question, because she knew everyone wasn’t looking for a lifelong commitment, but she didn’t care about everyone. She cared about him.
    He closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them, she saw a renewed struggle.
    “You’re asking the wrong guy.” He dropped his gaze from her eyes to her mouth, and his entire body seemed to rise and expand. He grimaced, and just when she was sure he was going to turn away, his arm circled her waist and he tugged her against him.
    Heat surged through her with his conflicting messages. He was looking at her like he wanted to devour her, but he gritted his teeth like she was the enemy. Breathing hard, her nerves tingling like pinpricks, she forced through her fear of being turned away and tried one last time to entice him over to the dark side.
    “So,” she said shakily. “Let me get this straight. You’re attracted to me, but since we like different things, we can’t”—she licked her lips, feeling his body flex against her—“kiss?”
    His lips parted and his eyes narrowed.
    “We can’t”—she pressed her hand to his chest—“touch?”
    “Shannon,” he said gruffly. “I’m trying to do the right thing.”
    How come every guy she wanted to do the right thing inevitably did the wrong thing—like he was doing now?
    “You think you’re trying to do the right thing, but your definitions are mixed up, Grizz. The way you’re holding me? That is the right thing.” She held his gaze, their bodies instinctively moving closer. His long fingers splayed across her back, searing heat through her shirt.
    “Damn it, Shannon. Don’t you get it?” He pressed his cheek to hers, his whiskers scratching her skin as his hot breath rolled over her ear. “It’s not wrong. Not by any stretch of the imagination.”
    He touched his lips to her cheek, and she closed her eyes. His lips brushed along her jaw, over her lips. His hips pressed forward, every hard inch of him sinking into her.
    “Feel what you do to me with nothing more than your voice, a single touch, your sexy-as-hell eyes.”
    She couldn’t respond, could barely think past the feel of his hands on her body, the power and frustration in his voice. Lord help her, because she wanted to feel that power wrapped around her.
    “You know I want to lay you down right here and memorize every sweet curve of your body. I want to taste your pleasures, waylay your fears, discover your vulnerabilities, your secret pleasure points.” His lips brushed over hers again, along her cheek, to her other ear. “Even when we’re not together, all I can think about is what it would be like to be inside you.”
    Yes, yes, yes. Oh Lord, yes .
    He drew back, and she opened her eyes. Her knees weakened at the desire welling in his eyes. Then his hands left her body, and she heard herself whimper. He placed his hands on her cheeks, angling her head up so she had no choice but to give him her full attention. And boy, did he have it. Every inch of her body was waiting for his kiss.
    “You have no idea how much I want you. I had no idea how much I’ve wanted you. I’ve been trying to deny it, but I’ve wanted you since Jade’s wedding.”
    Hope soared within her.
    He brushed his thumb over her lips. “God, I love that sassy mouth of yours. But in a few weeks you’ll go back to your real life, and I’ll still be right here on this mountain.” He