Page 98 of His to Love
I moved back again.
I wanted to trust him. I wanted him to earn it, but if he touched me, I’d fall into his arms and his touch and his kisses, and I wanted to be smart, too. “I will. But not now. I have to get ready for work, and I need more time to think about this.”
He reached for me again, this time moving too quickly for me. His arm wrapped around my lower back, and he pulled me closer until I collapsed against him. My hands flew up to brace myself against his chest.
“Tyson.” It was a tortured whisper, filled with despair. “I need to get ready for work.”
“And I’ll let you, as soon as you do something for me.”
“What?”
He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he lowered his head to mine and at the same time he tilted it. One of his hands slid up my side until he cupped my cheek. Then his lips met mine.
He kissed me like I was meant for him. Like I was the only woman he ever wanted to kiss. His lips teased mine and he nipped at my lower lip, eliciting sensations from me that had been gone for too long without his touch. I melted into him, forgetting all the difficulties we still faced, all the pain I still bore in my heart because of him.
He growled low before he pulled back and set me away from him with his hands on my shoulders. “I want to see you tonight. Explain everything I can.”
“Okay.” I nodded, my fingertips rising to brush against my lips. I could still taste him. Mint and coffee.
It was my new favorite flavor.
“I’ll let you get ready for work, then.”
He took a step away. I longed to reach out to him, to pull him back to me. To finish what he’d just started. My emotions rioted inside of me. Physical need burst, needing his touch, needing him. But I held back. I still had questions, and I still deserved answers.
“Tyson,” I called, when he was almost at the door to my bedroom. His eyes flickered with concern before he grinned.
“Yes?”
“I want my key back.”
He smirked and shook his head. “Not on your life.”
He turned and was gone. A laugh barreled out of me as I shook my head and turned toward my bathroom.
“See you tonight, Blue! Six o’clock!”
I didn’t have time to answer before I heard my front door open and then close behind him.
And as I walked to the bathroom, I was still smiling, still thinking of him, but most of all…
I was still wanting him.
—
My jaw dropped as soon as I entered my apartment. The lights were off but I could still see clearly. On every available surface, candlelight swayed from cream candles, casting a romantic glow all over my living room.
“Tyson?” I called out when I was met with complete silence.
He appeared in the kitchen doorway, in jeans slung low on his hips and a simple T-shirt that stretched over him perfectly.
My mouth practically drooled in anticipation.
“What is this?” I asked, dropping my purse on a table, careful to avoid the candle flame. I kicked off my heels and walked toward him.
“How was your day?” he asked, avoiding my own question.
“Good.” I grinned, recalling my day. “The best, actually.”
