“What are you doing?! Anyone could see!” Her tone borders on hysterical.
“Relax, sweetheart. This place is deserted, and it’s dark.” Without giving her a further out, I press my lips to hers and kiss her like I’ve been dying to do all afternoon. She caves instantly, snaking her arms around my neck and pressing her hot, tight body up against me. That’s all it takes to elevate my desire to an all-time high. I growl into her mouth as I feast on her, devouring her lips as months of pent-up need run free. She whimpers against my lips as I grab her ass and pull her into me, leaving her in no doubt how much she turns me on.
Fuck, I want her. I want her bad.
“Vander,” she pants, pushing me away and then pulling me back in close. “We need to stop.”
I dip my mouth to her neck. “Promise me we can pick this up when we get home, and I’ll let you go now. Otherwise, all bets are off.” I suction my lips to her neck, nipping, licking, and kissing her soft skin as I inhale the scent that is uniquely her—sweetly floral and wickedly spicy.
“Fuck,” she whispers, clutching the back of my shirt as I nuzzle that sensitive place between her neck and her collarbone.
Hearing her curse cranks my arousal up a few notches, and I’m painfully hard behind my jeans.
“Your mouth should be outlawed, Vander. It makes me lose all semblance of control,” she admits in a raspy tone, arching her head back and moaning.
“Imagine what my cock will do to you.” Reluctantly, I tear my lips from her body. Although the parking lot is empty, I won’t take uncalculated risks with her. She blushes, and it’s too fucking cute for words. “I’m partial to this color on your cheeks.” I feather my fingers across her creamy skin.
“You make me feel like an inexperienced horny teenager.” She stares deep into my eyes. “It’s unnerving and exciting.”
“Iama horny teenager, and trust me when I say no one has ever made me feel the way you do.” I purposely leave the inexperienced bit out because I won’t lie. Although, I am younger, I’m pretty sure I have had more sexual partners than Kendall. West mentioned one time how his parents were high-school sweethearts, so I doubt Kendall has had many lovers.
“It’s embarrassing to admit I’m the same.”
“That’s not embarrassing, babe.” I haul her into my arms and hold her tight. “It’s called fate.” She shivers against me, and I’m reminded we’re outside on a cold, dark December night. “Let’s get you inside the car, and then I’ll take you home and warm you up.”
* * *
“I don’t mind cooking,” Kendall says as I pull her SUV into a vacant spot in the parking lot of the strip mall a few blocks from my apartment.
I suggested we get takeout because I want her all to myself tonight. Killing the engine, I turn to face her. “I know you don’t, but you work too hard, and you deserve to relax and chill out. Also, I’m needy and selfish. I don’t want you wasting a second in the kitchen when I can have you in my arms instead.”
She visibly melts as she leans across the console to plant a soft kiss on my lips. A guy could really get used to this. “You say the sweetest things.”
“It’s no lie.” I wind my fingers in her hair. “I’m addicted to you, Kendall. Every minute I’m not with you is spent longing for you. Our time together is limited, so I always want to make the most of it.”
“Well, come on then.” She pulls back, grinning as she opens the door. “Let’s not waste another second.”
After we have placed our order at the Thai place, we head to the liquor store to pick up some beer and wine. We are returning to collect our order when Kendall slows in front of a housewares store and peers at the display in the window. “Do you want to go in?” I ask, leaning against the side of the door. “We have a few minutes to kill.”
“You don’t mind?”
I shake my head, frowning slightly. “Why would I mind?”
She opens her mouth to say something but clamps it shut again. “Okay.” She beams up at me. “Come on.”
I trail her around the store as she looks at everything, her eyes lighting up as she leans down to smell a candle or when she runs her fingers across one of the soft throws. “This store has the prettiest things,” she says, smiling at the woman behind the cash register.
“Let me buy you something.” I shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans to avoid taking her hand. Although my apartment is on the outskirts of town and it’s unlikely we will run into anyone she knows, I automatically understand she doesn’t want to be seen in any kind of romantic or compromising position with me in public. It sucks, but as long as I get to touch her in private, I can live with it.
“You don’t need to do that. I earn my own money. I can afford to buy things for myself.”
“I know you can,” I say, taking the candle from her hand and picking up the pink throw she’s eyeing lovingly. “But I want to get you something for your new bedroom. You have done so much for me, and I want to show my appreciation.” Taking a risk, I lean down and whisper in her ear. “But mainly it’s because I love you. I want to spoil you and take care of you. That’s what soul mates do.”
“Oh, Vander.” Emotion pools in her eyes as she stares up at me with complete adoration. I freeze frame the moment because I never want to forget it.
“I fucking love you so much, Kendall. I wish I could shout it from the rooftops.”
She subtly squeezes my hand. “We should go,” she says in a low tone, glancing over my shoulder. “Before I throw all caution to the wind and kiss you right here.”
