His expression shifts and he makes a pained-sounding groan. “I would love to, but I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”
My heart sinks and I feel sick. What was I thinking?
“Oh.” I sound as disappointed as I feel, and immediately regret it. I need to backtrack, to protect myself. “Yeah, I understand.” My voice is high and tight, not sounding believable in the slightest.
Shit.I am so fucking stupid. Of course he doesn’t want to come inside. He took me on a first date, a really good one, and I have completely jumped the gun. I had such a great time that I’ve assumed that he’s feeling the same way I am. Apparently this is not the case.
Dropping my head, I fiddle with my keys, trying to find the one for my door as Jake’s words echo in the back of my mind. He told me I’m great, but just not quite enough for him. Then there were all of his pointed looks when we were eating together, and the comments he would make about my clothing when he didn’t approve. Over time it chipped away at my confidence and I didn’t even realise until he left and I had to build myself up from the ruins.
While I might not have known Bear for long, I know he would never treat me like this. That doesn’t matter to the hurt part ofme that is still trying to heal. His rejection feels like a blow, my emotions heightened by my past hurt.
A touch on my chin makes me still my hands. Slowly, Bear lifts my chin. I can’t meet his gaze; I’m too embarrassed by my overreaction.
“Holly, look at me.” His voice is so deep and serious that I do as he asks.
Eyes locking, I can see the seriousness in his gaze. His brows pull together slightly at whatever he sees on my face. “Don’t take this as a sign that I don’t want you.” His voice seems to get impossibly deeper. Shifting his weight, he moves and suddenly I realise that my back is pressed up against the door, his arms now braced against the door and blocking me in with his body.
Gasping, at the sudden change, I realise that I’m completely at his mercy. All other thoughts disappear. All that matters is that he is so close to me that his body heat radiates against me. He looks pained, despite smiling down at me.
“If I came inside, there is no way that I could hold myself back.”
Oh.
Leaning down, his lips hover just above mine. My breathing is shallow and I’m terrified to move in case it shocks him out of whatever has taken over him. He stares, having an internal battle. Could I sway him? I lick my bottom lip in contemplation. What could I say to convince him to act on whatever instincts are riding him?
“Are you going to kiss me?” It’s hardly Shakespeare, but it seems to have an effect nonetheless.
He groans again, squeezing his eyes shut. “I’m trying to be a gentleman here, Holly.”
A strange, breathy, needy noise escapes from me as I squirm against the door. Usually that would horrify me, but I am full ofso much need and he’s the reason behind it. It’s only right that he’s the one to help me out.
“Don’t,” I croak out, voice cracking. I probably make no sense. Swallowing the lump at the back of my throat, I try again. “Don’t be a gentleman.”
Living up to his namesake, he growls low in his throat like a bear and finally closes that gap between us. His lips press against mine, leading me into a deep kiss that I am all too eager to reciprocate. Hot, searing pleasure shoots through me, my whole body alight. My arms are around him in a moment, our bodies pressed together tightly.
Closer, I need to be closer.Hands sliding under his shirt, I almost come on the spot at the feeling of his smooth, rock-hard muscles beneath my fingers. Holy profiteroles, I want to explore every inch of his body.
I probably shouldn’t be jumping into this, and not just because this is a first date. There’s Clay to consider too, not to mention my disastrous sex life with my ex. However, all rational thought has fled my mind, replaced only by carnal need. It has been so long since I’ve felt beautiful and wanted in this way. I can’t remember the last time I was intimate with another person.
His lips whisper across mine as though he’s speaking a secret language that he’s sharing only with me – firm, yet impossibly soft. Our tongues meet, dancing together to the silent song of our blossoming romance. Spine-tingling, heart-pounding, knee-quaking – however you want to describe it, this kiss fits all of those categories. It shouldn’t be possible for such a simple gesture to make someone feel emotions so deeply, yet in this case I think that is down to the person doing the kissing.
Something is pressing against my leg – the unmistakable harness of his dick pressing against me – and it makes me need him all the more. Gasping into his mouth, I drop one of myhands to the waistband of his jeans. Nervous excitement makes me giddy, as I cup his cock through the denim. Fuck, he feels huge.
Suddenly, his mouth is ripped from mine. What’s happening? My mind is surrounded by a cloud of lust, my body already mourning the loss of his touch. Blinking, I meet his gaze. He’s wearing a rueful smile, slowly shaking his head.
“Holly, I’m not fucking you in the hallway.” He might be firm on this, but I don’t miss the fact that his voice is shaky. I’ve clearly had an effect on him.
“Come inside with me, then,” I reply with a grin, also out of breath.
He just laughs and shakes his head, but I can see the reluctance in his eyes. “I’m trying to do this properly.” With impressive restraint, he places a single kiss to my lips and steps back before I can pull him back to me. “Goodnight. Make sure you drink some water before going to bed.”
Placing my key in the door, I step through into my apartment, glancing back once. He’s at the bottom of the stairs, watching to make sure I get in okay. Smiling despite my disappointment, I close the door behind me.
It looks like things are about to get exciting around Hinton Grove.
SEVENTEEN
BEAR
