“That’s not true,” I say. “We’re not going to be spending every minute together. We both have houses, jobs, families.”
“Well, I’m going to have to move out of my house, and I highly doubt I have a job anymore,” Carter says, his tone light like he’s trying to make a joke, but I know how much it must hurt to admit those things. “So I guess I’ll just follow you around. I can carry a speaker and play Jaxon’s songs all day if it’d make you feel more comfortable.”
I shake my head, stepping back. “You’re ridiculous.”
Carter looks around us, cataloging my slate-gray floors and white countertops before shifting his attention to my dining room table. “Your house is really nice.”
“Thanks,” I say, realizing he’s never been inside before. I look around, trying to see the space through his eyes. I’ve lived here for almost six years now, and I’ve done a few DIY projects with the help of my dad to fix it up. I like the clean lines and open spaces it offers. “Want the tour?”
“Of course,” Carter says, looking at the spot under my hallway table like he’s considering whether or not to take off his shoes.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one questioning how this night is going to go.
“I don’t mind people wearing shoes in my house,” I offer before deciding to just put my cards on the table. “But if you’re going to stay the night, this is the best place to keep them.”
“You’re sure you’re okay if I stay?” he asks, his tone betraying his uncertainty.
“I’m not sure I can sleep without you anymore,” I say in jest, but like all good jokes, there’s a kernel of truth in it. I probably could sleep without him, but I don’t want to.
At my admission, Carter takes off his shoes, placing them nicely under the table where they’re out of the way. “And why would you want to?” he says, offering me a wink.
“You’re moving in with your mom?” I ask, mentally working through what it means to date a man whose room is next door to his mom’s as I lead him up the stairs to show him my guest rooms.
“I don’t have another option. Cash flow is going to get tight, and that’s the easiest way to get an extra thousand dollars a month. I don’t think it’s either my mom’s or my first choice, but it is what it is.”
“Hmm.” I’m not sure what to say, as “luckily, I have my own house, so we can bang here” seems a bit uncouth.
I continue the tour, Carter making the appropriate noises of interest as I show him each room until we make our way back to the kitchen.
“I think you missed the most important part of the house,” Carter says, his face bright with mischief. “Where’s your bedroom?”
“Oh, a lady never tells,” I say, fluttering my eyelashes at him like a woman from a regency movie.
Carter chuckles before scooping me up and over his shoulder, my head inches from his ass.
“Hey!” I yell, lightly slapping the firm muscle in front of me. “Put me down, you oaf.”
“Process of elimination would suggest your bedroom is behind that door,” he says, and I lift my body enough to see that he’s pointing to the white door that’s tucked away at the back of my dining room.
The door to my bedroom. Stupid smart men.
Without waiting for me to answer, he hauls me to the door, a pleased vibration flowing through his body when he pushes it open and finds my king-sized bed, the white comforter bunched up on one side, pillows strewn everywhere.
“Nice bed, Kels,” he says before tossing me onto it on my back. “I can’t wait to fuck you in it.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” I ask, holding his gaze as I slip out of my clothes.
He pushes down his jeans and kicks them away before crawling over me, finding my mouth and fusing our lips together in a demanding kiss.
“You. I didn’t know it, but I think I might’ve been waiting for you for most of my life.”
He kisses his way down my neck, then my breasts, before draping my legs over his broad shoulders.
“I’m yours,” I breathe.
He smiles at me, a wicked tilt of his lips that promises pleasure like I’ve never felt before. Lowering his head, he nibbles the inside of my upper right thigh, and my breath fully vacates my lungs.
He strokes his fingers over me, and I shudder. The movement causes him to pause, his blazing eyes meeting my own. I can’t take my eyes off his face, off the lust and love moving together like the dancing sparks of a raging fire.
