“We were on a video chat when you were coming home, and I saw the number.” He advanced, so I was pinned to the door and his body pressed into mine. “Hi, baby.” His mouth took mine in a kiss that pulled at my heart.
His arms went around my waist as mine went around his neck. I really loved how tightly he always held me. It was like he couldn’t get us close enough, and it made me feel so wanted.
“God, I missed you.” His lips went down to my neck and across my shoulder before coming back to my mouth. His tongue danced with mine until both of us were groaning and panting, and I was five seconds from dragging him back to my bedroom and riding the hell out of him.
“What are you doing here?” I forced myself to pull away.
“I wanted to talk to you about something, and I didn’t want to do it over the phone.”
“Something personal or something you should be talking to Aspen about?” I worked my way out of his arms.
He let out a breath. “How long is this going to be a problem for us?”
“What are you talking about?” I kept walking toward my couch.
“This idea that you’re still my therapist or that I see you that way?” He followed and sat beside me. “When I talk to you, I’m talking to you as my girlfriend. As the woman that I’m interested in. That’s the only way I’ve ever talked to you.”
“I can’t help it.” I told him.
“Do you still see me as a patient? As someone who needs your help?” He asked.
Did I?Was that why I always asked the question?
“You think of me as your girlfriend?” I sidestepped.
“Of course.”
“But we’ve only really gone out once and we’ve only really been talking over the phone.”
He shrugged. “If we were long distance, that would probably be the case, but it wouldn’t change how I feel.”
“Oh.” I so wanted to ask how he felt, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear the answer. “What did you need to talk me about that was worth risking coming over here?”
“It wasn’t that big of a risk.” He took my hand. “I might be a medic, but I still had to go through Ranger training. I know how to get in and out without anyone noticing me.” I really hoped that was true.
“Alright.”
“And it was more that I wanted to ask you a question.” He shifted, so we were facing each other. My heart sped up. Therewas no way that he was about to ask the question it looked as if he was about to ask.
“You know I’m going home in a couple weeks, right?” I nodded. “I would like you to come with me.” I waited for him to smile, laugh, do something. He had to be kidding, but he didn’t move. For a second, I wasn’t sure he blinked.
“I can’t.” I pulled my hand out of his.
“Why not?” He sat back. “It isn’t like you have to tell anyone that you will be with me, and I can guarantee that no one in my family is going to care about the fact that you started out as my therapist.”
“And the fact that I’m black and you’re white? Not to mention you’re from freaking Georgia.”
“Oh my god, are you?” I didn’t like the sarcasm or the head tilt after he said it. “And you’re from Louisiana.” He shrugged. “What difference does it make?”
“It’s the South.” I reminded him.
“Yeah, but it isn’t like it’s still nineteen forty-five or anything,” he said. “No one is going to arrest us for being together.”
He wasn’t wrong, but there would maybe be some looks. Possibly some whispers, but it wasn’t like it was back in the day.
I shook my head. “We still can’t.”
“Why? Is it because it’s too soon?” He questioned.
