Hannah leans in, lowering her voice just enough to make my pulse quicken.“Are you dangerous?”
Her words hit me with a jolt.I lean in, too, my gaze shifting between her lips and eyes as the tension builds between us.“You have no idea.”
Hannah’s breath hitches, the air between us crackles, her eyes go wide, and a flicker of something—fear, desire, maybe both—crosses her face.“I-I think I’d like to find out.”
Her words hang there, thick with possibility, and for a moment, time slows.The space between us feels charged.
With a growl, I stand, move around the table, and pull her to her feet.My hand wraps around her ponytail, my fingers threading through the strands as I walk her backward into the wall.My eyes never leave hers.The intensity between us is undeniable as I crush my lips to hers.
Hannah lets out a soft moan, her body pressing closer as my hand trails up her waist, but then, suddenly, her hand lands firmly on my chest, pushing me back.
“Stop,” she breathes, her voice strained.
Sucking in a deep breath, I take a step back and put more distance between us, but I can’t understand why she stopped.“Why?”
“Look at me,” she says, her voice quieter now as if she’s giving me something I’m not ready for.
Confused, I look her up and down.She’s wearing baggy pants and a black sweatshirt covered in cat hair, but there’s no mistaking it.She’s beautiful, effortlessly so.
“What’s wrong with you?”I ask, my words thick with frustration, my gaze locked on her.
She exhales, shaking her head.“I look like I just rolled out of bed.Before you got here, I had a face mask on.When we do this, I want you to beg for me, not pity me.”
Her words hit me harder than I expected.It’s as though she’s hiding behind something, something I didn’t see before.The weight of her insecurity hangs in the air, but I won’t let it stand.
Shaking my head, still in shock, I burst out, “I don’t pity you.You’re beautiful.I don’t care if you’re in your LBD, naked, or in this.”My tone is firm, and I hope my conviction is clear.“I.Like.You.”
She shakes her head slightly, biting her lip as if she’s still not convinced.“But you’re hot.”
Barking out a laugh, I shake my head in disbelief.“You’re the first woman in this town who’s gone on a date with me.Most of them are polite, but they steer clear of the MC president.It’s me who’s lucky you even let me through the door.”
A beat of silence hangs between us as we both stand there, the weight of my words settling in.Pity isn’t what this is.It’s never been that.I like her just as she is, and I don’t know how to make her see that.
Hannah’s gaze falls to the floor, her shoulders tightening, but then she slowly, carefully, closes the distance between us.Her hands rest on my chest.The warmth of her touch grounds me.
“I like you too,” she says, her voice soft but steady.
My fingers slide under her chin, lifting her face until her eyes meet mine.I want her to see all of me because she deserves that.“Thank you for dinner.”
Her eyes flicker down to my chest, and for a second, the air between us feels heavier.But I keep going, pushing through the tension that has wrapped around us.“But I can see you want this to be...”I pause, searching for the right words.“Perfect.And I want to give that to you.But, Hannah, I am who I am.I’m a man who’s been alone for a long time, and I’m many things, but gentle and slow aren’t in my nature.But for you, I’ll try.”
She opens her mouth as if she’s about to say something, but I put a finger over her lips, silencing her with a quiet, tender touch.“So, I’m going to kiss you goodnight, and tomorrow, I’m coming to pick you up at six.You’ll be in your LBD and six-inch heels, and you’re coming to my house for dinner.”
She stares at me, her breath catching slightly as she processes what I’ve said.“J-Just dinner?”
I smile, leaning in just a little closer, my voice low and teasing.“How about we see how it goes?”
The tension in her eyes fades, replaced with something lighter, something more open.
A smile spreads across her face, and I feel my chest warm at the sight of it.“I’d like that.”
Leaning in, I softly kiss her forehead, then her cheek, letting the moment linger before pressing a brief, gentle kiss to her lips.The heat of it lingers on my skin as I step back, a groan slipping from my throat.
“Seeyoutomorrow.”
Hannah doesn’t move.As I leave, my gaze lands on my knife.I pick it up and hold it in the air.
“I’ll make you a smaller one so you can carve anything you want.”
