In the Eye of the Storm by Jennifer Hayden Page B

wanted more than friendship with him. But she was tired of trying to figure him out, all the same.
    “Shoot,” he said, meeting her gaze.
    Now that she had his attention, she wasn’t sure she wanted it. She avoided his eyes. “I guess I’m wondering why you’re hanging around here all the time.”
    He was quiet a moment. “Do you want me to stop coming over?”
    No. She didn’t speak the word. But she wasn’t sure where they were going with this and it was unnerving. As much as she tried to deny it, she was attracted to him. She had thought he was attracted to her. But he hadn’t been acting like it—not since that first night on her front porch.
    “Kate, if I’ve been bothering you, just say the word. I’m not like Wick. I understand the words get lost.”
    “That’s not what I mean.” She looked at him nervously. “I guess I got this idea in my head, that first night you brought me home, that we might…..” She felt her face turning red and wanted the words back. “I mean, I know we talked about it the next day but…” This was not coming out right. She sighed. “I don’t know what to think about us, okay? You obviously know I’m attracted to you. I guess I’m starting to think that it’s completely one sided. But you’re here.. To be honest with you, I
    A lot.” She closed her eyes, wishing she hadn’t started this conversation. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Never mind.”
    “It’s not,” he said quietly.
    “What?” She opened her eyes. He was staring at her, his dark gaze intent.
    “One sided—it’s not.”
    Unsure what to say to that, she waited for him to say more. He didn’t.
    “Okay,” she finally said. “So what does that mean?”
    He sighed, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “That’s just it, I don’t know. I like you. I like hanging out with you, even just as a friend.”
    “What if I want more than that?” She took a step toward him and he watched her carefully.
    “It’s probably a bad idea.”
    “Why?” Her eyes never left his. She was standing right in front of him now, with only a few inches separating them.
    “For obvious reasons—number one being that I’m only here temporarily. Number two being you’re Kylie’s good friend.”
    “Is there a number three?” she asked, reaching forward and letting her finger move down his chest.
    “There’s a three and a four and probably twenty more after that.” He caught her finger tightly between his. “This is a very bad idea. Why do you think I haven’t acted on it myself?”
    “There don’t have to be strings, Beau. I’m a big girl.” She tipped her chin up to meet his gaze.
    He shook his head. “You’re not the type to do casual sex, Kate. Do you think I haven’t figured that out about you?”
    “Maybe I want to be that type just once.”
    “No you don’t. I should go.” He tried to let go of her finger but she held on, wrapping her hand around his.
    “Don’t. Just stay.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why not?”
    “Damn it, Kate, I just told you why not.”
    “Those weren’t good reasons.” She stepped toward him again.
    “You’re going to regret this.” He let her lace her fingers with his. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “I’m a big girl,” she said again, willing herself to believe it. Deep down she had a fear that this man could tear up her heart into pieces. But at that moment, she just didn’t care. She wanted him. Badly.
    She let her hands move under his T-shirt. There were those perfect abs again. She felt him intake a breath. His keys dropped to the floor when her fingers moved up to the taut muscles of his chest. She felt his hands snake through her hair and then his mouth was on hers. His tongue shot through her teeth and meshed with hers. She couldn’t get enough of him fast enough.
    He lifted her, grinding his hips against hers. She let out a deep breath. “God, tell me you have protection this time.”
    “I have something,” he said