I pulled back slightly and smiled. “Colby, we’ve been drinking. We’ve flirted. We’re kissing. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. We’ll still be friends in the morning.”
He stared down at me for what felt like an eternity. Like I’d asked him the meaning of life and he was formulating his response. Like a billion wheels were turning in his head and whatever he did next would seal the fate of the entire universe and, holy shit, I just wanted one freaking night with him. Was that so hard to give me?
With a deep breath, I settled into the blankets, the down comforter molding around me, and stared up at him, willing him to stop thinking and just act. Willing all that tension knotting his shoulders to disappear as he gazed down on me.
And then something changed. Actually everything changed. Gone was the thoughtfulness in his eyes, replaced by what could only be described as hunger. The tension no longer seemed to be fueled by worry or doubt, but instead by something almost primal needing to be held back.
He settled over me, his body fitting snugly against mine but still supported by his leg and elbow. But damn, if I wasn’t going to figure out what was behind that look. I shifted, intentionally bumping my leg into his, forcing the full weight of his body onto mine. With one last quick maneuver, I positioned my thighs against his hips.
He groaned as he settled right between my legs and, suddenly, as if everything else was forgotten, his mouth came down hard on mine while his hand reached under my shirt, grabbed my hip, and tugged me against him as he rolled onto his back.
I followed, in one easy move, never breaking our kiss. And then we were moving, almost frantic. Clothes needing to come off.
He made quick work of removing my shirt, then unsnapped the button on my shorts, but our arms tangled as I tugged at his shirt, trying to force it over his shoulders. We finally gave up and he yanked his own shirt off while I shimmied out of my shorts.
But then he paused, his gaze slowly skimming down my body, tracing every curve from my breasts to my hips. My skin warmed as a flush worked its way over my chest and into my face. I’d been naked with other guys, but there was just something about being stared at by the guy you loved, who also happened to be your best friend, to really make you feel naked.
“Stop looking at me like that.” I attempted a laugh to play off the embarrassment.
His gaze lifted back to my face. “You’re gorgeous.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing he’d never say otherwise and probably just wanted to make me feel good about lying naked underneath him.
“You don’t have to say nice things. I’m already in bed with you,” I teased.
“I’m serious, you’re stun—”
Ready to end this conversation before it reminded either one of us we were Colby and Isla and this might not be the best idea, I lowered my body flush against his and placed a light kiss on his lips. “It’s just me, Colby. We don’t have to pretend,” I whispered. Then before he could object, I deepened the kiss.
My legs went on either side of him, knees pressing into the mattress as I slowly rocked against him. My hand slid over his stomach, making its way to his shorts. With a tug, the button snapped open, and my fingers grazed over him as I eased his zipper down.
And then he made this incredibly sexy sound that was somewhere between a groan and a moan, as if something felt amazing but was also a tiny bit of torture. My gaze shot up, curious as to what expression accompanied such a sound, but also to double-check that I hadn’t actually hurt him in any way.
As soon as our eyes met, his hand was in my hair, yanking me forward, urging my mouth back toward his. The kiss was slow at first, as if he savored every brush of our lips, every taste of my tongue. And damn if it wasn’t perfect. Nothing about this moment was worth rushing. No matter how bad I wanted him to flip me back onto the bed and rip off my lacy black panties, I relished his unhurried pace. Until it became unbearable. The slow sensual tension pooled in my belly and trickled down my body, begging for something more. Relief from the agony of desire.
I deepened the kiss, rolling my tongue along his as my hand moved down his body again and into his shorts.
With a sharp intake of breath, he stifled a groan. One hand dug into my hip like he clung to some tiny bit of self-control. Not sure what it would take to finally chip away that remaining bit, I tried the one thing that always seemed to drive guys wild. I kissed my way up his neck, along his jaw, and then brought my lips close to his ear. My tongue flicked out, gently teasing at his earlobe as I released a soft sigh, then finished in a quiet moan.
And it did the trick.
He reached up, unsnapped the tiny clasps at the center of my back, then flipped me onto the bed, removing my bra in the process. And without delay, I was against the mattress as he tugged my panties, but then hesitated about halfway down.