“Just a bit.”

“Yeah, okay.”

I burp again and I think I’m good. Everything is going to stay down. I hope. “So where were we?”

Her eyes are bright, intoxicating, as she looks up at me. She’s way shorter than me, which surprises me. She has what I thought were long legs, but maybe they just look long. I don’t know, but she only comes to my chest. She makes me want to cuddle her, she’s so little and cute.

“I’m not sure, but I think you were gonna kiss me,” she says, her eyes full of need.

“I was,” I say triumphantly, pointing at her. “But I had to go kick some ass.”

Her brows touch. “Whose?”

“My brother, Jude. He had the longest time.”

“Oh, cool,” she says, but I don’t really think she thinks it’s that cool.

“Yeah.” I nod. “But first, what’s your name?”

Her teeth come out to bite her bottom lip, and I swear, I’m about to come out of my skin. I’m not sure if it’s the beer that has my need flowing out of my pores, but I want her more than I could ever describe. I love women—don’t get me wrong, they are the highlight of my life after hockey—but I usually like to know the person I’m sleeping with. Unlike Jude before Claire, I do respect the women I sleep with. In that way, I’m like Jayden. But this girl, I don’t need to know anything but what’s in them pants.

Wow, that makes me a douche, right?

Eh. Oh, well.

“Avery,” she says huskily and everything goes taut. My shoulders, my back, my cock—Jesus, everything is hot and hard. All she did was say her name and I’m gone.

“Avery,” I say, her name falling from my lips like it was meant to be said by only me. “I like it.”

Her face breaks into a grin as she looks away. “Thanks.”

“Don’t look away,” I demand, bringing her face up. “How am I supposed to stare into those gorgeous eyes if you look away?”

Her lips curve in a very skeptical way. “You and those lines.”

This time, I’m grinning. “I’ve been saving all of them, all my life, only for you.”

“Oh my God, really?” she laughs and I smile.

“Hey, I knew one day I’d meet the girl who was deserving of every corny, lame, cheesy line I can think of, and you, gorgeous, beautiful Avery are the one.”

“I’m gonna gag,” she says bluntly and I laugh.

“But you’re more beautiful than a hundred pink flamingos on a golf course.”

Her eyes widen before she bubbles with laughter.

And I’m nowhere near done.

“Don’t laugh. Help me, there is something wrong with my eyes.”

Her brows come together, concern on her face. “What? I don’t see anything wrong with them.”

“I just can’t take them off you.”

Her mouth drops open as her cheeks redden before she rolls her eyes, laughter bubbling from the base of her throat. “You’re killing me.”

“I’m killing you? Girl, I must be Richard Gere because you are the prettiest woman I have ever seen.”

“Oh my gosh,” she laughs and I grin, leaning against the doorjamb. “Stop, please.”

“I haven’t even gotten to the good ones yet.”

“Good ones? Please!”

“Oh yeah, you know what? If you were a booger, I’d pick you.”

“Gross!” She grins, smacking me, and I love the look on her face. She may think I’m lame, but I bet she’s never smiled like that before. I have that effect on people. Going behind her, I run my fingers along her shoulder blades as she laughs, looking back at me like I’m crazy. I may very well be. Who knows? But one thing is for sure. I never want this girl to do anything but smile. “What are you doing?”

“Looking for your wings, because you have to be the angel I asked God to send me.”

Throwing her head back, she laughs louder, her body vibrating beneath my hands. Her face is flushed, so is her neck and even the top of her chest. From where I am standing, I can see right down her bra and I’m not even the least bit bashful getting my fill. She’s stunning and I can’t take it any longer. Threading my fingers through her hair, I hold her head in my hand, my other hand coming up to her chin as I drop my mouth to hers.

I pause, her breath hot on my lips, her eyes locked with mine, and wow, I’ve never seen something so beautiful in my whole entire life.

This girl.

This girl is… Fuck, I can’t even think.

But then she closes the distance, our mouths meeting, and everything just stops.

Her mouth tastes like pure ecstasy.

Unadulterated and beautiful paradise.

Her lips are soft, inviting, and she tastes like mint.

I’m in heaven.

Pure fucking nirvana.

I just can’t believe it. Where has this girl been my whole life…and why the hell did I just think that? Jesus, I need to get it together. I don’t do forever. Maybe it’s just the beer because this kiss is making me want forever as long as her lips are on mine. But fuck, I’m too young for all that crazy shit. I don’t want that. I want fun, and this girl is just fun.

When her mouth opens, I don’t even pause. I move my mouth onto hers, running my tongue along hers as her hand comes up, bracing herself on my arm. But she isn’t going anywhere. I’ve got her.

I’ll always have her.

Whoa. What the hell?

But I can’t think too much into that. I can’t think at all as she takes over the kiss, lifting herself without breaking the kiss and pressing her body into mine. Sliding her hands up my chest, she cups my jaw as my hands cup her ass, holding her in place as she devours me. I thought that was my job, but I don’t mind her doing it. I love it, and boy, does she feel right against me, her mouth possessing me.

Man, I’m a fucking goner.

Pulling back only a breath, she nips at my lip, making me gasp and also turning me on so fucking badly I can’t breathe. She then runs the tip of her tongue along the spot she bit, her eyes locked on mine, and I’m convinced I’ll never look into more magnificent eyes and ever feel like this.

I don’t know what I’m feeling.

And I sure as hell won’t label it.

But I don’t want it to stop.