Page 46 of Scoring Chances

I side step him and he pulls me back to him. “I really would. Was it everything you had hoped it would be?”

I shoot daggers at him. He’s playing with me. This entire time, he’s been playing with me.

“Is this another one of your stupid lessons?”

He cocks his head. “Do you want it to be?”

My eyes trail to his lips. The lips I’ve wanted to kiss all night.

“Only if it doesn’t mean anything.”

I stare up at him. He considers it for a moment. Then takes my hand and pulls me along with him. “Come on.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“Outside. Away from–” he motions to the guy I kissed. He’s with his friends and sends me a wink. I feel a little sick. Especially when one of his friends slaps him on the back like he’s congratulating him for something.

Joshua watches my reaction.

“I know his type.”

I look at him. “Because you are his type?”

A muscle in his jaw clenches and he continues to pull me outside.

Once we’re in the fresh air, he turns me to him, takes me by the hips and sets me on the balcony.

I hold onto his shoulders so I don’t fall off the side. The ocean is close. I can hear it lapping against the shore. But it’s quiet out here.

He puts a hand on either one of my thighs and spreads them apart. I swallow down my nerves.

What is he doing?

He steps into the space between them. Pressing his body close to me. His muscles are hard. All of them. And I feel a rush of excitement pool between my legs.

Or maybe that’s the alcohol.

He reaches for my chin and tips it up to him. “Do you want me to show you what your first kiss should’ve felt like?”

He stares down at my eyes. Dark blue against my hazel.

“It won’t mean anything,” he says, leaning in.

“It’s just research,” I tell him.

He gives one terse nod and before we can change our minds, our lips meet. The moment they do, something in me snaps.

It’s light. Soft. Like I’m something fragile that can break if he pushes too hard. He gives me a small peck before he steps away from me.

I’m breathless, trying to hold onto the railing so I don’t faint and fall over the other side.

He looks angry. Like he’s mad at himself. He places both hands on his hips and stares at me.

We can’t leave it at that. That can’t be all he gives me.

I jump off the railing and walk over to him. “What the hell was that?”

He shakes his head. “A kiss. That’s what you wanted.”