We arrive at my apartment in the blink of an eye. Lev shuts off the SUV and comes around to help me out. Walking into the practice, he follows me up the stairs and into the apartment.
His eyes trace my features, my nervousness apparent. “I had a wonderful time tonight. One of the best first dates ever,” he tells me.
“Thank you for a wonderful meal and evening.” I step closer to him.
“I’d love to see you again.”
“Me, too,” Another step closer.
He seems to read the hesitation in my face. “I’ll call you this week,” he says as he turns towards the door.
“Lev, wait,” I reply huskily. “I...”
Reaching up, I tug his head down to give him a kiss. Softly, I brush my lips over his.
Mmm, soft, but so firm, too.
I kiss him again, taking my time to pull on his bottom lip and suck lightly on it. Pulling my mouth away, I stare at his plump lips. Just one more...as I go to kiss him a third time, he breaks.
Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me in tight and deepens the kiss. Running his tongue across my lips, I open to allow him entry. He strokes my tongue, playing and sucking lightly. Moaning, my hands slide under his jacket as I rub up against him. Kissing him is like kissing the sun. His warmth spreads through me, melting the ice that had encased me for so long. It was addictive. I had forgotten how to feel truly desired. Kissing him back, my need grows fast, like a fire out of control. It had been so long since I had desired someone, kissed someone, I’m overwhelmed and a bit frantic.
Finally, I turn my head to the side to get some much-needed air. His mouth doesn’t stop, though, as it moves from my mouth along my cheek to my ear and neck. Lev’s lips skim over my ear, leaving little kisses before continuing down my neck. Shivering, I gasp as he hits the middle of my neck, a hot point for me. When he hears me gasp, his hips jerk forward, and I can feel his desire. I moan as the feel of him makes me want more. The sound seems to send a jolt through him.
Pulling his mouth from my neck, he rests his forehead on mine as he tries to slow down his breathing. Looking up into his eyes, I notice they are dark green pools of desire.
Smiling down at me, he says huskily, “Sweetheart, this is exactly why we went out tonight instead of having our first date here. I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you, and I could so easily get lost in you. But I want to take it slow, so I’m going to say goodnight.”
What? Wait a minute. “What if I want you to stay?” All my nervousness is gone now.
Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath. Opening them, he stares at me intently. “You don’t, not yet, not completely. When you’re ready, without a single doubt, you’ll know it, and I’ll know it. For now, we’ll take it slow.” He takes my hand and places it against his racing heart. Ending the night just as we had begun it. “Just think of all the things we can do together first.” He gives me a wicked smile and soft, lingering kiss. “Thank you for an incredible first date. Goodnight, sweetheart, and sweet dreams.” Taking a deep breath, he releases me. Walking over to the alarm, he sets it and walks out the door.
I flop down on the couch. Tonight didn’t go as I expected. The plan was to have a fun first date with someone who seemed like the perfect fling to get me over this dry spell. Instead, it’s the most incredible date. The kind of date where you imagine where it could lead before it’s even started. Lev is warm, funny, sexy, smart, loyal, and so much more than I could have imagined. Am I ready, though? It might have been three years since I had anyone in my life, but the last year of my life with Collin had been hell, lacking in every way. I’m just not sure I’m ready to open myself up, especially for anything serious. On the other hand, I’m tired of being alone. Tired of letting Collin win.
Yawning, I force myself to go to bed and think about it tomorrow.
CHAPTER 9
