He took the cue and stroked his tongue into her mouth, a quick sweep that left her seeking more. She darted her tongue out to meet his, so he would feel how much she wanted this. And for long moments then, the gentle sway of the ship rocked their bodies together. Pressed together, they became reacquainted, sharing breath, sighs, and moans.
They were so close, Kathy couldn’t feel where she ended and he began. Yet Kevin’s hands hadn’t moved other than to stroke her cheek, her neck, tug at her hair. The hand at her hip did nothing more than flex and hold her.
The kiss spoke of intimacy they no longer had, but there was comfort mixed with the desire.
When he finally pulled away, a chill ran through her. She attributed it to the cool breeze and not the absence of his warm mouth on hers. Leaning his forehead against hers, he breathed slowly. She opened her eyes to find him staring again.
“Wow,” he whispered.
“I remember you being really good at that. Glad to see that hasn’t changed.”
“You’re fucking amazing. I’m harder from one kiss with you than I would’ve been watching three strippers get it on.”
She halfheartedly rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious.” To prove his point he yanked her body close, grinding her hips to his.
There was no mistaking the hard ridge prodding her. As if she hadn’t already been turned on enough. The feel of him being hard for her made her want more. Her body thrust even closer to him and he groaned. His fingers gripped her hips hard enough to leave fingerprints.
She moaned and lifted her mouth to his again, but he stepped back.
“I can’t do what I want to do. Certainly not here. And not until you’ve decided to take a chance on me.” His hand found hers again and linked his fingers in hers. “Just know I want this.”
Her body screamed at her to do this. Tell him yes and go back to his apartment with him, but her mind prevailed and she inhaled slowly, filling her lungs with lake air.
“I think we should tour the other side of the deck now before I have to go back to the party and embarrass myself,” he said.
A laugh bubbled up and Kathy’s whole body shook.
“I don’t think it’s that funny.”
“It’s only fair that you suffer a little too. My mind has been dancing in circles tormenting me for over a week.”
“I can handle a little discomfort as long as I know you’ve been thinking about me.”
She nudged him with her shoulder as they turned the corner and headed back to the party. “Always making it about yourself.”
“Uh-uh. This discomfort is all about you.”
Kathy found herself laughing yet again as they rejoined the party and all of their guests. The boat was getting ready to dock and Kathy was sad to know the evening was coming to an end. Even though this still wasn’t a date with Kevin, she felt closer to him. Like maybe she should give him a chance. It wasn’t like they were getting married. They could date and see how it went.
For the first time in days, she felt optimistic about her life. Kevin stepped away to say good-bye and get people safe rides home if necessary. They had a week until the wedding. She could use these days to cool off and make sure her decision was not solely a lust-fueled one, but that she really wanted to date Kevin.
Her heart and mind settled.
Her body, on the other hand, rioted.
Chapter Eight
Kathy’s week blew by in a blur. Between a couple of big orders that came in and getting ready for Moira’s wedding, which included talking her friend down from the ledge a few times, Kathy hadn’t had time to breathe much less talk to Kevin.
After the haze of lust faded, she still wanted to give him the chance he sought. They’d sent a few texts throughout the week. He’d flirted incessantly with her, but she wasn’t going to tell him via text that she wanted to go out with him. That was definitely a face-to-face conversation. Mostly because it might not stop at talking, and she was looking forward to that.
But today was the day—not only for Moira and Jimmy’s wedding, but also for Kathy and Kevin to figure things out. Moira and Jimmy had made it to the church on time and everything ran as smoothly as possible for a long Catholic church wedding—mass included to make Mrs. O’Leary happy.
They made it through the wedding ceremony, and Kathy only needed to dry her eyes a couple of times. When she walked down the aisle of the church to leave with Kevin at her side, she smiled at him as she looped her arm through his. “You did a very good job as best man.”
“Easiest job I ever had.”
“Jimmy wasn’t nervous?”
“Nothing rattles him. He doesn’t make a move until he’s sure about what he wants. He never had any doubt. Not about Moira.”
At the back of the church, they were separated again to line up and take more pictures. Kathy’s face ached from all of the smiling. And they’d been genuine smiles because Kevin kept everyone laughing with stories about his brothers.
By the time they made it to the reception hall, the entire wedding party wanted a drink. Moira, or more likely, her older brother Ryan, thought ahead and made sure the bar was open early. Bottles of beer and glasses of wine were set out waiting for them. Moira and Jimmy thanked them all for being part of their wedding. They had a brief break, enough to finish their drinks, before it was back to work for Kathy. She stood beside Moira and collected gifts and cards while her friend greeted her guests.
Kathy’s stomach grumbled and when they finally lined up for the introductions before dinner, all she could think about was food. She and Kevin strolled in together and he held her
