His tongue scraped hers, and he completely took over, submerging her into so much pleasure that she just relaxed and let him take. Whatever he wanted. Heat flowed through her, and she softened against him, her blood pounding so hard through her veins that it hurt. Her body ached. Everywhere for him—for his touch.
He lifted his mouth, and his eyes had darkened to a mysterious brown flecked with tawny spikes. His nostrils flared and the desire stamped hard on his face.
She swallowed, unable to move. The muscles holding her had gone rigid, and his expression hot.
In that second, she felt vulnerable, feminine, and somehow powerful. Oh, she could dive right into the sensations and worry about consequences later.
Her phone buzzed from her bag.
She jolted.
His frown held thunder clouds. “It’s a little late on a Sunday for a call. Want me to handle it?”
Handle it. Something told her Quint could pretty much handle anything, includingherright now. She took a deep breath. “You’re like a chocolate chip infused donut with glazed icing,” she whispered, her nipples peaking and her clit pounding from just one kiss.
One of his dark eyebrows rose. “Excuse me?”
She ignored the buzzing phone and slowly untangled her fingers from his hair. “Delicious and tempting, but I’d regret it in the morning when I tried to put my jeans back on.”
His chuckle was soft but did nothing to take away from the predatory gaze in his eyes. “Honey, if I got you into bed, you’d still be naked all the next morning. Trust me.”
A tremble took her, head to toe, and hit all the spots in between.
His flash of a grin showed he’d felt every stop on the way. “I’d like to stay.”
“You know that’s a mistake.” Oh, she wanted him to stay. They didn’t even have to make it to the bedroom. The old sofa looked plenty comfortable. Never in her entire life had she been kissed like that. Never.
“I’m not so sure,” he said, a new light in his eyes. “Might not be a mistake.” Even so, he gently set her on one foot.
She grasped his forearms until she regained her balance. Kind of. “Um, friend zone? Remember?” Her body didn’t care. At all.
“Hmm.” He looked at her again, his gaze probing. “Like I said, I’m not sure about that.” He turned on his heel to go back to his truck and dog, stopping on the other side of the door and grasping the shovel leaning against the side. “Lock this and call me if you have any problems.” He’d made sure they’d exchanged numbers at the barbecue, and he was already safely in her contacts. “Promise me.”
“Sure.” She hopped over to him. The biggest problem in her life at the moment was her insane desire to beg him to stay the night. Although, what could it hurt?
Except her heart. Oh yeah. That. He’d been more than clear that he wasn’t ready for a relationship, and she’d never been able to do the casual thing. Quint would probably be worth the heartache, though.
He reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear.
She caught her breath and tried to look calm. “Thank you for taking me to the barbecue. I really like your family.” Yet another reason not to end up in an awkward morning after situation with him. She wanted to spend more time with the Albertini family members.
“Thanks for going.” He looked at her lips again and then slowly shut the door between them. “Lock it,” he said clearly.
“You’re bossy,” she muttered, engaging the deadbolt.
He chuckled and the low tone rumbled through the door. “You have no idea.” Then he quickly shoveled her walkway before his footsteps faded away.
Oh, she had some idea after that kiss, and now she wanted more.
Her phone buzzed again from her purse. She hopped to it, yanked it free, and pressed the screen to her ear. “What?”
“It’s about time you answered,” Jack said, his voice irritable. “Where have you been?”
She hobbled over to the sofa and dropped onto it. It was time he got the message. “Listen, Jack. We are not dating, we are not friends, and I don’t want to talk to you ever again. I really don’t understand why you won’t get the message.” Hadn’t she been clear enough?
His sigh was like fingernails across a blackboard. One of the old green kinds. “I know you’re upset about your grandmother and not thinking clearly, so I’m not going to get my feelings hurt.”
“I couldn’t give two fucks about your feelings,” she burst out. “Honestly. Listen to me. I do not care how you feel. All I want is for you to leave me alone.” Enough was enough. She extended her legs to the antique coffee table.
