With my arm thrown over my eyes, I try to shut down the thoughts steamrolling through my head. But it’s impossible. I can’t stop replaying what happened with Daisy earlier this evening.
The look on her face when her gaze dropped to my mouth had my dick surging to life. The temptation of her pliant body crushed against mine only made it worse. I’ve spent the last three years keeping her at a safe distance and now I’ve managed to blow all my good intentions to hell with one stupid decision. I’ve opened the door and there’s nothing I can do to slam it shut again.
I keep telling myself that the only reason I want Daisy is because she’s the one girl I can’t have. Deep down I know it’s a lie. The way I feel about her scares the crap out of me. Maybe calling a truce wasn’t such a good idea. If there aren’t any barriers sitting between us, how am I supposed to keep her at arm’s length? Especially when all I want to do is hold her close.
Frustrated with myself for the thoughts that won’t stop circling, I throw off the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed before coming to my feet. I need to shake off the weird feelings that have settled over me and relegate Daisy to the back of my mind where she belongs. Where I’ve kept her since freshman year. Where she’s safe.
It’s after midnight when I pad through the silent apartment into the kitchen. I drag a hand over my face knowing that I need to get some sleep. We have a big game tomorrow against Tennessee. I need to be clear headed when I jog out onto the field. I can’t allow this girl to get inside my head and fuck with my mojo. My future is riding on the games I play this season and how I look going into the draft.
I need to get my head on straight.
If I’m smart, this will be nothing more than a meaningless blip. There’s no reason that our truce has to change anything between us. Daisy and I can slide right back to the way things have always been.
Minus me messing with her and her subsequently trying to make me shit my brains out.
See? Now I feel better. This is doable. There’s no reason to panic. I just need to distance myself from her. Remain reserved. Cool. I’ve done it before. I can stick it out for the next eight months.
It’s not going to be a problem.
I grab a glass from the cabinet and fill it from the tap before guzzling down half of it. Then I set the glass in the sink. Planting my palms on the counter, I hang my head between my shoulders and suck in a deep, cleansing breath of air.
Everything is going to be fine.
That settled, I turn, ready to head back to my room and hopefully, if I’m lucky, not dwell on the golden blonde beauty sleeping down the hall from me. That thought leaves me groaning and my dick stirring with interest before I quickly shove her from my head.
One thought is all it takes to get me hard.
I swear under my breath.
“Excuse me?”
The sound of her voice has me jerking to a halt. Even though it’s dark in the kitchen, I see the outline of her form hovering in the doorway. My hungry gaze licks over the thin tank top that hugs her curves and tiny sleep shorts that leave her legs bare.
Everything I’d just convinced myself of falls out of my head.
Who the fuck was I kidding?
Even now the urge to reach out and take her in my arms pounds through me like that of a steady drumbeat. I’ve never wanted anyone in my life the way I want her. I clench my hands at my sides so that I don’t make yet another disastrous decision.
It takes everything I have inside to keep my voice casual. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Oh. I thought I heard something.” Her voice is deep and raspy with sleep. It arrows straight down to my—
“Nope.” I shake my head. “Didn’t say a word.” I’m wondering if there’s anything she could do that wouldn’t turn me on.
Sadly, I don’t think there is.
She frowns but doesn’t argue. Which must be a first. Apparently, we really have turned a corner.
Yeah, I am so screwed. And not in a good way either. All my good intentions disappear.
“It’s late. What are you doing up?” I want to stand here and drink in how gorgeous she looks with her disheveled hair tumbling around her bare shoulders.
“Couldn’t sleep.” She shifts, and her breasts bounce with the movement.
My gaze dips. My breath catches as her nipples stiffen into turgid little points.
Look away, jackass!
But I can’t. I’m mesmerized by the sight.
Obviously noticing my creepy stalker stare, she clears her throat and folds her arms across her breasts blocking my view. A growl rumbles up from my throat before I quickly choke it back.
Seriously? What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m playing with fire and can’t afford to get burned. I need to get out of here before I cross a line. Before I do something that I can’t come back from.
I force my eyes away from her. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.”
Just as I’m about to brush past her, she says, “Carter?”
I stop and reluctantly meet her gaze. “Yeah?”
She sucks the fullness of her bottom lip into her mouth before nipping it with her teeth. Desire rushes through me, trying to break free. I’m so close to wrapping my arms around her body and biting that sexy lower lip myself. But I don’t. Somehow, I manage to keep it together.
Barely.
When she doesn’t say anything more, the desperation finally gets to me and I snap without meaning to. “What, Daisy?”
Her eyes widen at the sharp tone of my voice and she takes a quick step in retreat before shaking her head. “Nothing.”
Before I can apologize for acting like an asshole, she withdraws from the kitchen. I close my eyes because the urge to give chase pumps wildly through me.
But I can’t.
I can’t do anything but let her go.
