I grab my discarded underwear to clean myself with. He smirks, swiping them from me to stuff in his back pocket.
“Saving a souvenir?” I joke.
His tongue slides along his lower lip. “You started it when you hid that first pair in my office. I tore the whole thing apart after hours to find them.”
Laughter bubbles out of me. “You’re the one who told me to go take them off. I thought it was only fair to give them to you.”
He grabs a handful of my hair loosely with a playful growl, drawing me into a kiss. Then he puts his shirt on and gets in the driver’s seat, checking if the coast is clear before I dart from the back to the front.
Shooting me a crooked smile, he puts a hand on my leg before pulling out of the lot. I can’t wipe the matching expression off my face.
We pass the street that leads to my apartment.
I swing my gaze from the window to his profile, marveling once again that this man I’ve dreamt of for so long is mine. I trace his knuckles. My stomach dips when his possessive hold tightens.
“You missed the turn back there.”
“No I didn’t.” His thumb caresses my thigh before he tucks his hand deeper between my legs. “We’re going back to my place. I’m tired of not having you next to me in bed.”
TWENTY-THREE
COLE
HavingEve in my apartment knowing she’ll be in my arms when we go to sleep settles something inside me. My chest expands with a soft, happy warmth watching her curiosity exploring my space.
There isn’t much. The walls are sparse and I have a few boxes that are still unpacked from what little I brought with me. I didn’t want to make it feel like home, worried I’d be leaving when the season was over. I haven’t had the chance to make a dent in the last few weeks once I found out my job isn’t temporary.
My hand hasn’t left hers since we walked through the door. I let her lead me from room to room, fingers laced because neither of us is willing to stop touching.
The ride from the bar was like this, too. I held her leg and she wouldn’t stop running her fingers over the back of my hand.
We’re making up for lost time.
No more denying what we both want. No more pretending we’re only friends.
Eve takes us back to the living room, almost pulling free from me. I draw her back, lifting her chin with a crooked finger to kiss her. It’s unhurried and deep, learning the shape of hermouth, the glide of her tongue against mine. I commit all of it to memory.
I kiss her for the sake of kissing her, because I can. I don’t take it further.
Of course I want her again. I don’t think I’ll ever have my fill of being inside her. We’ll get there.
For now, this is everything I need. Just being near her. Being able to touch her as much as I’ve wanted for months.
We both end up smiling into the kiss. I’m not sure if I do it first or her. She giggles and I slide my arms around her waist.
“I can’t stop kissing you,” I murmur against her lips.
“I know. Me either.”
She presses on her toes. I dip my head to make it easier for her to reach, resting my forehead against hers. I could stay like this for hours.
“You’re mine,” I marvel.
“I am. Which makes you mine, too.” She sounds equally awed. Her voice drops to a whisper. “I’ve liked you for so long, Cole.”
I hug her tighter. “You have? Since when?”
“Yes.” She gives me a cute, self-conscious look. “I can’t even remember when it started. God, I used to do anything to get you to smile at me. Past me would be flipping her shit right now to know I’m with you.”
