Burn For You

2. Nate

Chapter Two

Nate

Holly Blake stood defiantly before me, testing every ounce of my restraint. But then, she’d been testing me for years. With her thick blonde hair loose around her shoulders and her curvy body poured into her outfit, I could hardly think.

At the moment, I couldn’t even remember how I ended up at this f*****g fundraiser. Not that I had anything against fundraisers. My memory shifted into gear, kicking through the haze of raw l**t Holly’s mere presence had created. My buddy had roped me into going because he’d been dragged into helping out. I was there for moral support only. The last thing I expected was to bid on a date with someone. But the second I’d seen Holly on the stage, there was no f*****g way I was letting someone else win a date with her.

I’d been speechless—not something that happened often, by the way—when Holly pranced out on the stage in the sexiest excuse for a nursing costume I’d ever seen. Sweet Jesus. If I didn’t screw her right now against the wall, I deserved a f*****g medal.

Her breasts were spilling out of the tight blouse, and I was pretty sure I could see her panties if she bent over even a little. I idly wondered if they were red to match her bright red high heels.

I took a deep breath, shackling the need galloping through my body. What the hell had she just said? Oh yeah.

“I got the winning bid, and I don’t want a r****d,” I replied.

Her brown eyes widened and then narrowed. I was pretty sure she was a little drunk. Holly had never been one to hold back, but right now, she was a little freer than usual, let’s just say.

“Why?” she demanded.

“Jesus, Holly. You’re f*****g parading around out there half-n***d. Trust me, I saw your options. I’m your best bet. The guy who I outbid was pushing seventy. Not that there’s anything wrong with being old, but I don’t think he’s your type. What the hell are you doing here anyway?”

I knew I sounded pissed off. I also knew I had no right to feel that way, but it didn’t change anything.

Holly spun around, flinging a hand up in the air and giving me the finger as she walked to the far side of the room. Not that the room was too large. She turned back to me, crossing her arms and setting her feet apart.

“What the hell are you doing here? Like I said before, I’m here to raise money for charity. That’s why. And I sure as hell don’t need you f*****g everything up. I might actually get to meet somebody here. But now you’re here, so I’m stuck with you.”

My head was spinning as I tried to catch up to what she was implying. “What the f**k do you mean? You might meet someone?”

Holly sighed, letting her arms fall and resting a hand on her hip. Holly was all kinds of tempting. Her blonde hair was most often pulled up in a slapdash ponytail, and she was usually wearing scrubs. Even when she made zero effort to look good, she was sexy as sin. Dressed like this?

I was so screwed.

“I need another shot,” she muttered, turning around and walking to a table in the corner where, lo and behold, there were a few bottles of alcohol. She proceeded to pour a shot of tequila and knock it back inside of a few seconds.

“It’s not like my dating prospects are any good in Willow Brook,” she mumbled as she turned back to face me. “I figured I’d raise a little money for this hospital thing and maybe I might actually meet someone. Not you. I didn’t need to meet you.”

For the second time tonight, I was speechless.

Fuck it.

I strode to her, reaching for her hands and tugging her against me.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she murmured as her body bumped against mine.

“You don’t need to meet anybody,” I said flatly.

Holly’s breath hissed through her teeth. When she gulped in air, her breasts pressed against my chest. It was then I realized my miscalculation. Because I couldn’t be near Holly and not want her. Fiercely.

Having her this close meant there was no way for her to miss the fact that I was rock hard and ready. Her eyes narrowed again, and she jabbed her finger in my chest.

“You don’t get to say whether or not I need to meet anybody. You’re not my keeper, so don’t f*****g act like it.”

“No. But I want you, and I know you want me. So, let’s stop dancing around and do something about it.”

Her mouth dropped open, her cheeks flushing bright pink and sending another shot of blood straight to my swollen c**k.

“You don’t know that I want you,” she announced, with another jab of her finger against my chest. “You’ve been ignoring me anyway.”

“You mean to tell me you forgot about that kiss last year,” I murmured, sliding my palm down the back of her spine to cup her bottom, palming it as I rocked into her slightly.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not trying to tell you I forgot about it. But you couldn’t run away fast enough. I’m not an i***t. I’m not just gonna be another chick you have a little fun with. I’m almost thirty, and I need something real, not you and your bullshit.”

“Oh sweetheart, this isn’t bullshit.”

I finally gave into the need I’d been holding at bay for too damn long. I fit my mouth over hers, growling at the snap of electricity the moment our lips collided.

That kiss we had a year ago? It was as if we picked up right where we left off. My body knew exactly what it wanted. I swept my tongue into the warm sweetness of her mouth, savoring the low moan coming from her throat and the way she flexed into me.

Just when I forgot where we were and what the hell I was doing, there was a sharp knock at the door. Holly broke away from me, stumbling back. The door swung open, and one of the guys who’d been helping with the tickets at the main door when I first got here stepped into the room.

“How we doing here?” he asked with a smile as his gaze swept over us.

We’d kissed maybe for a minute, yet Holly’s lips were swollen, her skin was flushed, and my arousal was likely quite evident to anyone who paid attention.

Holly’s gaze swung to the man. “Ethan, I’m so glad you’re here. We have a problem.”

What the f**k is she doing?

Holly approached Ethan, looping her arm through his, and then pointing to me. “He’s not the right date. I grew up with him, so this won’t work,” she said flatly.

Ethan’s lips tightened as he fought a smile, his gaze flicking to me and then back to her. “Sweetheart, it doesn’t quite work that way. He paid for a date with you. Short of things like violence or safety, either you’re going on a date with him, or we r****d him his money. Unless he agrees to forfeit the date,” he said carefully.

“Can’t his money pay for somebody else?” Holly asked, undeterred.

I was trying to keep a level head, but now I was pissed. “No,” I said sharply. “You don’t have to go on a date with me. But I’m not paying for someone else. Before you go making up something ridiculous”—I paused, looking at Ethan—“her twin brother is my best friend. We’ve known each other forever. There’s nothing nefarious here.”

Ethan was quiet, his gaze bouncing between us. “Well, then I’m sure you two can figure this out. Holly,” he said, gently uncurling her hand from his arm, “if you would like us to r****d his money, please let me know. Otherwise, I’ll leave you two alone for now.”

As soon as the door shut behind him, I strode to her. Conveniently, she was standing beside the wall. I placed my hands on the wall beside her and pinned my gaze on hers.

“You’re a coward,” I said flatly.

“I’m not a coward!”

“I say you are. Plus, maybe you’re not giving me enough credit.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You’re right. After that kiss last year, I kept my distance. Because I didn’t want to be stupid. You’re my best friend’s sister, so there’s that hurdle. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I didn’t know if I was ready to do anything about it. Now I am. The ball is in your court.”

I held still for a moment before trailing my fingers down her shoulder, teasing over her tight little n****e, and then over the soft curve of her hip. Stopping there took all of my restraint, but I managed it.

I stepped back. “You owe me a date. Tell me now if you’re backing out. I’ll leave you alone if you are, but don’t play games with me.”

Holly’s breath came in shallow little pants. She shifted her legs, and I heard her rubbing her thighs together, just barely. I hadn’t forgotten how wet she’d been last year when I lost my damn mind and almost f****d her at a party.

She stared at me, lifting her chin slightly. “I’m not backing out. When and where?”

“Your call. But not tonight. Let me make one thing clear, though. It will be a real date. You don’t get to say, let’s grab drinks at Wildlands, or coffee at Firehouse Café. Hell no. Dinner and a hotel. I did pay five thousand dollars, after all.”

“I’m not your w***e,” she retorted.

I closed the distance between us again, leaning forward and catching her lips in another kiss. Kissing her was like playing with dynamite. Clinging to my control, I drew away.

“No, you are absolutely not. You want this as much as I do.”