I can’t move as my body is in complete shock from his response to my forgiveness. I couldn’t even try to move if I wanted to as he has a death grip on my arms, holding me against him. Physical contact was the last thing I was expecting…or even wanting. His lips are firm and have the subtle taste of the whiskey he was drinking back at the pub. Being this close to him makes me feel the sculpted, chiseled muscles of his chest down to the hardness of his erection and is starting to make me ache in places I don’t want to ache. If I let him deepen this kiss, my underwear will be soaked. Warning bells are going off in my head that this is a very, very bad idea.
Chase Wilson is kissing me!
This is wrong!
He is my enemy!
You just forgave him.
Make it stop!
Why haven’t I stopped it yet?
Because you LIKE it!
That last comment from the little devil on my shoulder gets my hands to move up his chest and push with all I can muster, which is barely anything against his strong body. My resistance breaks his kiss and the trance that has overcome him.
“What are you doing? Me forgiving you doesn’t give you the right to kiss me!” I practically scream at him, not wanting him to think I want a repeat performance of our night together in Las Vegas.
‘That is complete bullshit because you do!’ my little devil says.
“Do not give in to the temptation!” my little angel on the other shoulder says.
My anger gets him to remove his arms, but he still invades my personal space. “I’m sorry, I just… wait,” he stammers as he runs his hand through his hair and exhales a shaky breath. “Fuck that, I’m not sorry! I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the first time I laid eyes on you.”
“Do you think I’m that stupid, Chase? You think me forgiving you gives you the green light for us to have sex again?”
“No, I never thought that! Layla, you’re misinterpreting what I mean.” He looks around and notices the stares we are getting from the few people who remain on the street. “Can we please go upstairs and talk about this?”
“Hell no, I’m not inviting you upstairs to my apartment!” I turn around and stomp back to the front door of my building, completely irritated and frustrated that men tend to think with their small heads instead of their big heads.
“Layla!” He runs past me and stops me in my tracks by blocking me from the front door. “All I want to do is get to know you better. I just want a chance.”
“Why? We aren’t friends and up until thirty minutes ago, you were my number one enemy! Why do you want to get to know me better? So you can try to make me trust you in order to get more top secret information to sell?”
“I just told you that I’m no longer going to be a paparazzi and unless you have other celebrity friends that I don’t know about, what secrets would you even have for me to sell? None!” He takes a step closer to me and runs his hands down my arms. “My intentions are pure and truthful.”
I shake off his hands as his touch is too distracting. “You think that I’m going to believe that you’re actually interested in me as a person after what you did?”
“Why wouldn’t I be interested in you as a person? You are smart, funny, and one of the sexiest women I’ve ever met. I wanted to meet you before I even knew who you were associated with. Like right now, you just looking at me as you are is making me hard. Don’t you remember our chemistry that night? I have dreamt about being inside of your warmth again, feeling you squeeze around me.” He runs a finger down my cheek and proceeds to rub his thumb over my lips, making me shiver despite the heat outside. “I’ve imagined these perfect lips wrapped around my cock as you suck me off.”
I gasp in shock at how my body reacts to his words and remove his hand from my lips, needing to get as far away from him as possible. “Well, enjoy that image because you sure won’t be getting reality any time soon! I rescind my forgiveness!” I try to step around him, but he continues to block my path.
“Layla, sex has never been unattainable for me, so what do I need to do to prove to you that I’m not interested in just a mindless fuck? Just be friends? I can do that if you’ll let me in.”
I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t need more friends.”
Damn him as he gives me a sexy smirk in response. All I want to do right now is stomp my foot like a child who doesn’t get her way at the mounting frustration he is causing me.
“I’m asking for two weeks of me being your friend and doing things that friends do, like going to dinner, the movies, working out, talking on the phone.”
“No way! You’re not getting my phone number.” I shake my head. “I don’t understand what’s in this for you?”
“Spending time getting to know you.” I roll my eyes at the cheesiness of his answer.
“What’s in it for me?” I ask, not understanding how I would even benefit from a two-week friendship.
“For you to see that people do deserve second chances, no matter what their circumstances are.” He grabs my hands and refuses to let them go when I try to pull them away.
“I forgave you tonight! I know how to give second chances.”
“I’m not talking about me being the one having a second chance,” he says softly and I can’t help but watch his eyes as he pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. His hazel eyes return to mine and I’m hypnotized by their heat and the silent promises being offered to me.
“What happens at the end of the two weeks?” I quietly ask, not knowing if I’m ready for his answer.
His smile starts slowly on his lips and I see the warmth of it reaching his eyes. For a moment, I’m so mesmerized by the full beauty of his face that I don’t fully comprehend what he says next.
“You’ll be in love with your new best friend.”