Her brows shot up and she opened her mouth to respond.
I placed my thumb over her lips. “Shh, let me explain.” I gathered my thoughts and prayed she was ready to hear this. “I want to walk into that fundraising dinner with you on my arm, not as my fake girlfriend, but as my real one.” Her breath hitched as her lips parted. “I know you’re still getting over James?—”
She shook her head frantically. “I’m not. I mean, I’m so over him.”
I smiled. “You told me at the beginning of this that you weren’t ready to date again, and at the time, I wasn’t either. But at this point, I can’t keep acting like I don’t want this to be real. Because I do. So much.” I took a deep breath, knowing I needed to give her space and time if she needed it. “But I understand if you’re not ready. If you need more time?—”
I barely got the last word out before she was popping up on her tiptoes and pressing her lips to mine. This time, I wound my arms around her back and pulled her tight against me. Her hands threaded into my hair at the back of my neck as we each fought for control of the kiss. She pulled and nipped, and I parted her lips with my tongue, demanding entrance.
A throat clearing nearby interrupted the moment. I pulled back with a growl and glared over at Zack.
He smirked back at me. “A bunch of us are going out after shift. Just wanted to see if you guys wanted to come.”
I’d almost forgotten I was technically on shift. In order to accommodate the demonstrations, we’d had to split the crewagain and even it out with some volunteers in case any calls came in. I didn’t care about going out with the crew. All I wanted to do was to leave here with Violet and find out what her kiss really meant. If I were still in Charlotte, I wouldn’t have had to be on shift while helping with an event. But then again, I wouldn’t be standing here with Violet either.
“No, not this time,” Violet said. “We have plans tonight.”
I looked back down at her, worried I’d forgotten something. “We do?”
She nodded. “Yes. Remember? You’re coming over to my place.” The way she said it had a huskiness to it I was sure I’d never heard before.
Add in the wink she shot me, and a mix of excitement and desire barreled through me at what she was implying. Or at least what I hoped she was implying.
“Okay. TMI. I’m out.” Zack turned and headed back into the firehouse.
I reached up and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. As much as I wanted her, I also wanted her to know exactly what I wanted—all of her. Whenever she was ready. And not just the physical stuff.
“Violet,” I started, searching for the right words. “If you want to take things slow or need more time, just say the word. But I don’t want to take you to lunch just to keep up appearances that we’re dating. I want to take you to lunch because I miss you and need to see you. I want to pull you into my arms and kiss you because I can’t go another minute without feeling your lips, not because someone’s watching who can keep the gossip train entertained. I want to spend every night with you because we can’t stand to be apart.” I searched her face, hoping I wasn’t messing this up.
“I want all that too, Seth. I honestly didn’t think I would. I worried I wasn’t ready to trust someone again. But you’re not myex. In fact, you’re nothing like him. And I know that.” Her fingers brushed the back of my neck and my eyes drifted shut, letting the sensation take over. “I want to give us a real chance.”
Happiness bloomed in my chest. After Lucy destroyed me, I thought I’d never feel like this again. But in just a few short weeks, the way Violet had embraced who I was without trying to change me broke down the walls I’d constructed.
I opened my eyes and leaned down, claiming her mouth once more and wishing I could take her somewhere more private. Lay her down and explore every inch of her body. Find out where all her piercings and tattoos were hiding and trace each one with my tongue.
The alarms sounded inside the station and I reluctantly let her go. “I’ll see you tonight after shift?”
She nodded. “I can’t wait.” Her teeth pressed into her bottom lip and heat flashed in her eyes.
A groan tumbled from my mouth and I leaned down, pressing a quick kiss on her lips before turning and jogging into the station.
Three hours before I’d get to spend all night with my girl. I ignored the knowing smirks the guys were giving me. There was no way I wasn’t smiling like an idiot, and I had no intention of changing that.
Chapter Twenty-Five
SETH
I joggedup to Violet’s front door and rang the doorbell. Having showered and changed at the station as soon as shift was over, I went straight to her place. And even then, it felt like I couldn’t get there fast enough.
The door swung open and all the blood in my body rushed south.
Jesus. Adjusting myself, I ran my gaze down her body. The only thing covering her was my T-shirt from earlier. I zeroed in on where her tits pushed against the fabric. It was still hard to believe my girl had her nipples pierced. The thought of makingher scream out my name as I tugged on them amped up my anticipation to near unhealthy levels.
I glanced around, making sure no one could see what was meant for only me, and stepped inside. Finding out if she had anything on underneath became my sole priority.
She moved back and I pulled the door shut, slowly taking her in, wanting to savor every moment of this. A bit of mischief danced in her eyes, like she knew exactly what answering the door in just my shirt would do to me. Her face was free of makeup, revealing a light dusting of freckles, and her hair tumbled down around her shoulders in soft waves.
Fuck, she was so beautiful.
