I take my hand off her leg as I pull into her driveway and scowl at the news van parked across the street. There’s only one, and I’m not sure if the reporters just didn’t listen to me when I warned them off earlier, or if this station wasn’t here before and didn’t get the memo.
I turn off the car and hurry to open Gray’s door. I help her out, thenthread my fingers through hers as we walk to her front door. She fishes in her clutch for her keys and unlocks the door before turning to me.
“Thank you again for everything,” she says, and I feel the sudden uncertainty between us.
If the news van wasn’t here, I’d see if she invited me in, but I won’t go in with it there. The world probably already assumes I’m fucking her, but I have no intention of giving them footage for the late news.
“You’re welcome,” I say. “I had fun. I like to see you happy.”
I’m trying to play this cool, but I sound like an idiot. Still, it’s better than what I really want to say, which is that I want to drag her into her house, tie her to her own bed, and fuck her raw until she’s hoarse from screaming my name.
Maybe I’ll save that revelation for date two.
Gray glances at her door, then back at me. “Do…you want to come in?” she asks, and my dick tries to answer for me by going rock hard.
I swallow down the string of curses that gather in my throat and step closer to her. I need to say goodnight, but I’ll be damned if I’m not at least going to kiss her.
“Not with the news crew here,” I say. “They don’t need to think we’re sleeping together yet.”
“News crew?” Gray looks at me, confused, then spots the van. “Shit. I didn’t even see them.”
“I’m going to kiss you goodnight, then I’m going to go,” I say.
Laying out the plan is more for my benefit than hers. Step one, kiss her. Step two, leave. Simple enough.
Gray nods slowly. “Okay.”
I know what I need to do, I have her permission to do it, but I can’t move. I’m afraid if I touch her, I’ll end up mauling her. I can’t remember the last time I wanted a woman this badly.
Gray waits patiently, and I finally reach out. I slip one hand around her waist and gently pull her toward me. My other hand glides up her neck to wrap around her nape, and I feel her shiver. Either I tickled her again,or she wants this as much as I do.
I lean in close and let my lips graze hers. Her head tips up, requesting more, and I have my answer. I press my lips down on hers and deepen the kiss. She parts her mouth, allowing my tongue in, and I will myself not to spontaneously combust.
I try to tether my mind in place, to remember I’m on the porch in front of Gray’s house with a news van parked a few dozen feet away. Otherwise, I’ll completely surrender to this moment. As it is, I’m fighting not to push her up against the house and let raw need take over.
Control. That’s what Gray and I have been practicing, and that’s what I need now. If it can keep me from beating the shit out of Lapointe the next time I see him, it can keep me from giving the neighbors a scene they might see on PornHub.
I step away from Gray, but my hand on her waist hasn’t gotten the message that it’s time to go, and I have to force myself to pull it back.
“Are you coming to practice tomorrow?” I ask.
I try not to let her hear the hope in my voice. I feel like I play better when she’s there, and, according to the guys, I do.
“Um, yeah. I may be a little late, but I can be there,” she says, and it seems like she’s trying to get her own bearings.
I nod. “Sounds good.” I try to sound casual, but the inflection in my voice is too high to pull it off. “Have a good night.”
She smiles. “Good night. And thanks again.”
I give her a quick nod, then wait for her to open her door and get inside before I head to my car. I dial Kelsier as I back down the driveway, and he picks up right away.
“How’d it go?” he asks eagerly.
“You alone?”
“Yeah, I’m home watching TV.”
“None of this ends up on the team chat,” I warn him.
