I wish she’d let me.
Finally, Lucas shakes his head, a small smile on his mouth. And his only answer to Scarlett’s admission is an impressed whisper of, “Damn, girl.”
I might not be able to kiss her, but I can’t stop myself from leaning over to murmur in her ear, “You’re so fucking sexy.”
She ducks her head to hide her smile, but I see it anyway. Pressing a kiss to her cheek, I lean back into my own chair. But not before I feel Scarlett’s hand clasp mine under the table.
In the end, it’s that easy for her to win over my family. Dad and Alexander are the easy-to-please ones of the group, and with Lucas’s respect in the bag, and Mom happily observing my—very obvious—affection for her, my family falls for her just as naturally as I have.
Not that I was ever worried. I know exactly how incredible Scarlett is. But I’m thrilled thatshegets to see my family reach the same conclusion.
And I know she sees it because there’s a palpable change in her after that. For the rest of the dinner, she’s…comfortable. She smiles easier, laughs effortlessly, and adds to the conversation without doubting herself. For the next two hours, we laugh at embarrassing childhood stories, tease each other constantly, and chat about everything and nothing as we get to know Scarlett and as she gets to know my family.
I’m half in love with her by the time dinner ends.
When we leave the restaurant, I look at Scarlett and ask, “Should I call an Uber? Or do we want to walk?”
To my surprise, she steps closer and weaves her arm through mine. “An Uber would be nice,” she says softly.
It’s a ten-minute drive back to my hotel. Long enough for me to freak out about what’s happening, but not long enough for me to verbalize it. This whole night has been surreal, and I have no idea what Scarlett’s expectations are from here. So I simply revel in the feel of Scarlett curling into my arms.
I keep my mouth shut when we’re dropped off in front of the hotel, and as we take the elevator to my floor. I don’t want to disrupt whatever’s happening here.
But when we reach my suite, the uncertainty gets the better of me.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask. “Or a shower? I can…”
I trail off when she slips into my arms, a happy sigh sounding from her lips when her cheek hits my chest.
“Can we just…sit for a minute? I’ve wanted to be close to you all night.”
I’d have to be dead to not give in to her request. Wordlessly, I guide her over to the couch and take a seat. To my surprise, she settles in my lap.
“Hey, baby,” I murmur, brushing her hair away from her face.
Then…she presses her lips to mine.
And time stops.
Holy shit.She’s never kissed me before. That’s one of her rules as an escort. But now…
She’skissingme.
I’m still in shock when she pulls back. Her eyes are wide, her expression unsure.
“Scarlett,” I breathe.
Before I can say another word, she’s kissing me again.
And this time, I kiss her back.
With a sound that feels suspiciously like a whimper, I slide my hand into her hair and give in to the kiss I’ve been fantasizing about for weeks.
Her lips are soft, and warm, and as perfect as I knew they would be. She feels like she wasmeantfor me.
I pull her more securely into my lap, my arm going around her waist and her knees going to either side of my hips. I want her as close as possible. I don’t know what this is, or how far this is going to go, but I want all of it for as long as I can have it.
I kiss her until I need air. Until we’re both gasping, needing to take a breath but unable to put that much distance between us. It isn’t until she shifts closer, her hips starting to rock against me, that I summon the strength to put a pause on things.
