“Exactly.” The corners of her mouth twitch. “Finally, we have something we can agree on.”
“And wine.”
“We agree on wine?” She arches an eyebrow as I step closer. Putting less distance between us seems like a good idea. She tenses.
Or not. I stop in my tracks.
I raise my hands with my palms open toward her. “Yes, I have a feeling that we do. Don’t you agree that Ruby Port pairs perfectly with triple chocolate cake?’
The clock above the television ticks as her eyes travel over me, gauging me. Trying to decipher my angle. I don’t have one. Or not at least a devious one.
Moments pass as if she’s trying to decide if drinking wine and eating cake with me is a good idea or not, and then, she says, “Yes, it does. It’s the only sane choice.” She bites her bottom lip. “Why?”
“Why does red wine pair perfectly with chocolate cake?”
“No.” She rolls her eyes. “Why do you want me here?” She waves her hand around the room. “You could have any woman you want–”
“No, I can’t.” I can’t have her. Or at least I couldn’t until this moment. And only if she agrees to give me a chance. I’vespent years trying to get her alone. Without her wanting to claw my eyes out.
Heat flares in her eyes. “Yes, you can. Don’t placate me. I know you. You aren’t some stranger I met at the bar who can pretend he’s not God’s gift to women. You’re Jake Thompson, the Eagle Scout, the championship quarterback, the homecoming king.”
I inch closer with each item she lists until we’re nose to nose. Her breath catches in her lungs, and I cup her cheeks. “And you’re you.”
Before she can protest, I place my lips against hers, slowly brushing our mouths together. And nothing else.
She’s beautiful. Perfect. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of having.
Her body vibrates as she sways on her feet. I pull back, opening my eyes to find hers closed. Her cheeks are pink. Her lips slightly puckered. “Open your eyes and look at me.”
When her hazel gaze meets mine, I brush my thumbs along her cheekbones. “I don’t want to be with anyone else. The only person I want here with me….”
Forever is on the tip of my tongue, but I hold back. She’s not ready to hear that. At least, not yet. But by the end of the night, I plan to prove to her in no uncertain terms that she’s always been it for me.
“Tonight, I want to show you how good we can be together. That we can leave the past in the past.”
She blinks and licks her lips. “And what? Have a good time?”
“For starters.”
She exhales slowly and says, “Okay.”
When she throws her arms around my neck and yanks my head down, I bite back a groan of satisfaction. And all thoughts of slow go out my drafty upstairs window.
Our mouths smash together in desperate greed. I want her. I need her. Her tongue slides along mine with a low whimper of desire escaping her lips. And she wants me. Our hands are everywhere at once. Grazing over each other. Clutching. Skimming. Kneading.
I can’t get enough as she arches against me like a cat, rubbing and purring with pleasure.
When her fingers grip my hair, I clasp her ass and grind into her. The soft warmth of her body cradles my rock-hard erection. It’s been years since I’ve been with anyone. Since I’ve wanted to be with anyone.
And it’s Emily. In my living room. Kissing me like she needs me to breathe.
But I don’t want it over with before it begins. This is about more than release. This is building a future.
I pull back, staring into her lust-filled eyes and do the hardest thing I’ve ever done. “Go have a seat on the sofa. I’ll grab us some wine and cake.”
Worry covers her features. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Never.” I cup her face again. “You can never do anything wrong. Nothing that I don’t want. But I invited you here to de-stress. Not paw all over you.”
