“I’m sorry I haven’t called,” he apologizes with a tilt of his head.
I frown faintly. “Why didn’t you?”
He lets out a single laugh and runs his hand down his face. “Well. I—Uh—” His cheeks pinken, and it’s absolutely adorable. “I didn’t want to seem needy.”
“Needy?” I question, setting my glass and crossbody clutch on the desk.
“Yes, needy.” He glances at his drink, then tosses it back, consuming the whole thing in one gulp.
I cross my arms and lean my weight on one leg, popping my hip. “Why would calling me when you said you would mean that you’re needy?”
Rory places his empty glass next to mine. “Okay, look. I’ve never done this before.” He opens his hands at his sides in a vulnerable gesture.
“Done what?”
He entwines his fingers together. “Pursued a woman like this.”
“It shows. You haven’t done anything topursueme besides kiss me twice. You realize that makes you sound like an asshole, right?”
Blake is going to be so mad that she missed that.
Rory chortles. “You’re right. It does.” He rubs the back of his neck as the rouge spreads from his cheeks to the tips of his ears.
His embarrassment softens my attitude, and I take a small step toward him, softening my stance. “If you had called me, what would you have said?”
He gives me a lop-sided smile, endearing him even more to me. As he answers, he takes a step as well, bringing us toe to toe. “I would’ve told you that I had a great time together and that I’ve thought about that first kiss every minute since you walked away from me.”
With Rory so close, I’m able to really look at him. His black-on-black outfit gives him a slight bad-boy vibe. The sexy stubble along his jaw emphasizes its strong shape. His lips are just as I remember, and I’m desperate to feel them on mine again.
The rapidly increasing beat of my heart is too much and not enough at the same time. I want more of this feeling.
Biting my bottom lip, I peek up at him through my lashes. “Anything else?”
“Yes,” he answers as he traces the curve of my jaw with his fingertip. That single touch sends a jolt through my body, causing me to clench my thighs together. Rory doesn’t miss the movement and smirks.
“Mind sharing?” My question comes out breathy.
“I don’t want to scare you off.” Rory glides his finger down my neck, and I swallow, loving the anticipation. I want his touch everywhere. I want him to touch me in places no one else ever has before.
“Do I seem like a girl who gets scared easily?” My tone is one I didn’t even know I could produce. It’s challenging, yet inviting.
Rory studies me, his eyes tracking every inch of my face, as if he’s memorizing every detail. “No, but I’m not sure I’m willing to risk it.”
Despite his words, Rory wraps his arm around me as his finger continues its path down my chest, stopping at the neckline of my dress. My chest rises and falls dramatically. I need him to keep going, but he doesn’t. He stares down at me like he’s waiting for something.
“Tell me you want this. Tell me you need me, Baby.” He almost sounds like he’s pleading with me.
Do I want him?
Yes.
Am I going to regret it?
I hope not.
With my mind made up, I give him three little words. “I need you.”
Rory’s hand on my back snakes up into my hair and guides me forward as his head dips. Our mouths crash together in an urgent kiss. His tongue glides along mine as I claw at his shirt, grappling to hold onto something that will keep me from falling when my legs inevitably give out.
