At Brier’s, the brownstone was split into two units. I parked out front and walked her upstairs, inside and to her door. When she unlocked it, she leaned against it as if she needed the wood for support.
“Thanks for tonight,” she whispered, and played her bottom lip between her teeth.
My hand landed on the doorframe above her head before I could stop it. Standing this close to her invited nothing but temptation. Her perfume wafted to me—floral, and womanly, no hint of dog tonight. Pretty. She was so fucking pretty.
“You’re thanking the guy who scared you half to death? Twice.”
“The Harley ride doesn’t count. It wasn’t so bad after the first minute or two.” Her voice dipped low and warm. “I liked it. Very much.”
I gave in to every urge and kissed her
No warm-up, no calculation. Just my mouth crashing into hers before I could overthink things. The taste of pie, sugar, and her sweetness sent my heart rhythm off track.
She gasped, then rose on her toes, wrapping her arms around my neck and giving the kiss right back, like she’d been waiting years for it.
My body closed any remaining space, pressing her against the door. It gave way, and we nearly tumbled through, laughing as we steadied each other.
“Brier’s not home tonight,” she said breathlessly, fingers toying with her hair. “And I’m probably too scared to be here alone on Halloween.”
I grinned, kicking the door shut. “Zombie protection service. At your command.”
Her laugh melted into a squeak when I scooped her up, pressing her against the wall just inside. Her legs wrapped tight around me, her dress riding up. My lips found her neck, sucking at her racing pulse.
She arched, moaning into my ear. “You smell like biker leather and terrorizing women on dark streets.”
“I have to admit, chasing you was exhilarating. Best Zombie Ball ever—with you.”
“Best and only ball for me, too, even with the fright you gave me.” She tugged my shirt up, fingertips trailing over my abs. “Oh, God, Archer. You are one fine man.”
In the dim light coming from above the stove, we stumbled toward the couch, mouths fused. Her tongue tangled with mine until we fell backward, landing with her on top of me. I kicked off my shoes, knocking over a basket of soft things.
“Sorry. Let me pick those up.” I reached down until my hand found something squishy. “What are these?”
She groaned, burying her face. “Oh my God. Brier’s side hustle of crocheted penises.”
I twirled a large pink one. “I’ll try not to be offended by the size and color options.”
Her cheeks burned. “She spends hours on Pinterest and thousands on craft supplies.”
“I think we both know there’s nothing better than the real thing.” I tossed it aside, grabbed her hips, and brought her tight against me.
She gasped, grinding down with a soft moan. “Mm. Very true.”
She drove me wild, riding me like this. For once, the ghosts of girlfriends past never crossed my mind. The only head thinking was the desperate one in my pants. “Do you want me, Penny? It’s your call. We do as fast or as slow as you want.”
Her sultry grin wavered. “I do want you. I think I have since that night we talked on the steps here so long ago. But…”
She stopped moving.
I inhaled deeply, reining myself in. “It’s okay. We’ll take it slow.”
Slow would be good, my brain warned, taking back control. Time to make sure Penny wasn’t another Brianne. God, I was so broken.
Penny shifted to my side, one leg still across my lap like she couldn’t quite let me go. “Slow as in it’ll be another month before I hear from you or I’ll run into you at a random turkey party with you dressed like a pilgrim chasing me down the street?”
I snorted, cupping her cheek. “You broke the spell tonight. I want to see you again. And I promise—no more costumed chases unless you decide you’re into that.”
We kissed and cuddled more until a knock came at the door, startling us both.
