“Unless you’d rather not.” The small elevator doors close, and fuck. I want to take her in my arms and kiss her, but after what just happened, I shove my hands into my pockets. “We can call a cab.”
“No. It stopped raining on our way back to the hotel. As long as I don’t have to run anywhere…” She offers me a sheepish smile. “The humidity isn’t great for my lungs, but I hate being trapped inside all day.”
“Then we’ll walk. At a leisurely pace.”
She’s right about the weather. The air smells like passion fruit and wood smoke, and a gentle breeze ruffles Mikayla’s hair. She peers up at me when we stop at the corner, confusion in the set of her brow, but then quickly looks away as we start walking again. I’m about to ask her if she’s all right when she curls her hand around my left wrist and holds on.
The contact makes me think I didn’t totally fuck up back at the hotel, and I quickly adjust so I can link our fingers. “Wasn’t sure you wanted—“
“I was raised…by very conservative parents,” she says, the words tumbling out like she’s about to lose her nerve. “And it’s been a while since I’ve dated anyone. Seeing you earlier threw me a little.”
“Hey.” I stop and, with my free hand, nudge her chin up slightly so she can see my eyes. “You don’t have to explain, Mik. We’re not getting married. Not getting naked. Yet, anyway.” Her lips form a littleo, and I cup the back of her neck, but don’t step any closer. “And not ever unless you decide you want to. Tonight, I’m yours. Whatever you want to do, whatever you wantmeto do. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
Even though my dick hasn’t fully relaxed since she came to my door, I won’t push her. Hell, for all I know, she could be a virgin.
Her eyelids flutter closed for a breath, and when she opens them again, the setting sun catches the golden flecks in her irises, turning them into tiny flames that make me want her even more. I’m about to release her when she swallows hard and licks those perfect, bow-shaped lips. “I want you to kiss me again.”
That does it. I’m now turned on enough she’s going to notice. Any second. But I made her a promise. Whatever she wants and whatever she wants me to do. So I dip my head and taste her.
I never believed in sparks. Kissing a woman…well, it can be about the best damn feeling in the world—maybe even better than great sex, because with a kiss, there’s a connection. If you’re doing it right. But as soon as she parts for me and her tongue starts a slow, lazy dance with mine, there are definitely sparks. If not a raging inferno.
A tiny moan escapes her throat, and I slide my hand up to tangle in her hair. The short strands are soft and thick, just the right length for me to hold onto. I can tell when I move too close, though, because she tenses at the feel of my length against her stomach. “Sorry, sweetheart,” I say as I break off the kiss. “Can’t help what you do to me. Give me a minute.”
“Don’t apologize.” Her voice cracks, and she nestles herself against my chest, her arm around my waist as we start walking again. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
“I made you uncomfortable.”
“No. You surprised me, that’s all.” With a sigh, she shakes her head. “I’m not…completely inexperienced, Austin. It’s just been a while. And this?” Her sultry laugh as she gestures between us does nothing to calm me down. “This isn’t something I’ve ever done before. Pick up a guy in a hotel? Lie awake half the night thinking about a kiss that…well…wasnothingcompared to that one?”
“You weren’t the only one.”
“But I don’t sleep with guys on the first date,” she says. “Or the second.”
“No sleeping. Got it.”
“No sex.” With a chuckle, she twists out from under my arm and flashes me a smile. The move pulls at my shoulder, and I can’t stifle my wince, or the quiet grunt of pain. “Austin?”
“Just an old injury.” I drive the heel of my hand into the center of the throbbing ache, and after a few seconds, it fades enough for me to shove it into the background where hopefully, it won’t bother me again tonight.
“What happened?” She approaches warily, like she’s afraid she’ll break me, but I sidestep her and tuck her under my good arm where it only takes a few steps for her to relax again.
“It’s an ugly story,” I say quietly, then press a kiss to the top of her head. Her scent helps chase away the demons floating so close to the surface. “And tonight…let’s stick to the good ones. That okay?”
“On one condition.” Mik peers up at me, her long, dark lashes framing eyes full of concern. “If we have a tomorrow, will you let me ask you again?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. I will.”
Mikayla
Dozens of tourists wander the streets amid the colorful buildings and open-air stalls of the public market. It’s relaxing with Austin at my side, his fingers wrapped around mine. “What did you do all day?” I ask. “And just how many hiking trails are there around here anyway?”
A laugh rumbles in his chest, smooth and deep and sexy as anything I’ve ever heard. Steering me towards one of the booths selling freshly cut flowers, he points to a blushing red rose.“¿Cuánto questa?”
After handing over five pesos, he accepts the bloom, brings it to his lips, and then to mine before he offers it to me. I don’t know what to say other than, “Thank you,” and he gives me a quizzical look.
“Not here.” Scanning the area, I point to a little cantina with outdoor tables and clear lights hanging overhead. There’s a table for two at the edge of the patio, and when we’re facing one another with my rose between us, I stroke my fingers over the velvety petals. “No one’s ever bought me flowers before.”
“You’re kidding. Who are these guys you’ve been dating, Mik?” Austin cups his hands over mine, and the contact makes those butterflies in my belly flutter to life again.
