“Evie,” he said.
There was a thread of unease in his voice that made her heart sink to the pit of her stomach.
She frowned. “What’s wrong? I assumed by the way you kissed me—”
“I’m not about to turn you down, Ev. Be for real,” Bryson said. “Didn’t I just say I was on the verge of begging?”
“So what’s the problem?” she asked.
“I need to make sure we’re going into this with a clear understanding of where we both stand.”
He turned his body toward her and rested his left forearm on the steering wheel.
“Remember the night we ate Ethiopian, when I told youthat I would have been willing to settle for any crumbs you threw my way?”
She nodded.
“I’ve decided I don’t want crumbs, Ev. I want more than just your body. I wantallof you.” He reached across the console and brushed his fingers along her cheek. “That being said, I understand if you’re not ready to give all of yourself. If you need more time before you can fully share your heart with me, I’m willing to wait for it.”
Evie took a moment to collect herself as gratitude threatened to overwhelm her.
“So, what you’re saying is that we can be more than just friends, even if I’m not ready to commit to being in a full-fledge relationship?”
He nodded. “That’s what I’m saying.”
He leaned over and, with a tenderness she hadn’t felt in longer than she could remember, captured her mouth in a sweet, gentle kiss. Evie closed her eyes and absorbed it, relishing the feel of his perfect lips skimming over her own.
All her worries seemed to melt away as she lost herself in Bryson’s skillful attack upon her senses. His tongue glided along the seam of her lips, briefly breaking past the barrier before retreating much too quickly.
“We can find an in-between,” Bryson whispered against her lips. “Whatever resides in that space between friends and wearing matching outfits to Sunday brunch.”
Evie laughed against his lips. “For future reference, know that I never want to wear matching outfits to brunch.”
“Thank you, God,” Bryson said. “Now let’s get inside.”
They opened their respective car doors at the same time and made their way up the walkway leading to her front door.The minute they stepped inside, Evie pulled Bryson to her and crushed her lips against his. He captured her face, cupping her cheeks in his palms as his tongue pushed past her lips and into her mouth.
The moan Evie released came from deep within the pit of her belly. Waves of heat flooded her with each swipe of Bryson’s tongue against hers. She backed him up until he stood against the door, then went for the waistband of his slacks.
“Hold on.” Bryson captured her wrists. “Slow down.”
Evie looked up at him, a mixture of confusion, panic, and heat shooting through her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Evie Williams, I have been waiting for this moment for nearly a decade. I will not be rushed.”
Evie’s fingers shook with pent-up need as she brushed her hair behind her ear.
“How long is this going to take?” she asked.
“As long as it takes for me to process that I’m really standing here with you after all this time.”
“I’m here, Bryson. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Just try,” he said, pulling her to him.
He crushed his mouth to hers, his tongue plunging inside with a fierceness that stole Evie’s breath. Her skin tingled with the need to feel him against her. She wanted him, no clothes, in her bed. But his drugging kisses were so intoxicating that she couldn’t bear to tear her mouth from his long enough to voice her wants.
