To my surprise, I manage to compartmentalize my panic and worry just enough to enjoy the rest of my walk with Kat and the drive home.
The date went by way too quickly. And now we’re standing outside Kat’s house, and I’m mentally debating whether to risk being seen kissing her. I desperately want to. But what if someone drives past?
But her thumb is slowly stroking across my knuckles, and she’s looking up at me as if I hung the moon and stars. Which I definitely did not. My body starts to move on its own, the decision about kissing her clearly made.
I move slowly, in case she’s not ready for this, but then I see the small intake of breath and her pupils dilate. That’s all the proof I need.
As soon as I lean down and cover her lips with mine, I’m a goner. My tongue teases the seam of her mouth, and she opens easily. I take it deeper. There’s no resistance; Kat is into this kiss just as much as I am, and that thought makes me soar.
Her hands slide down my back until they’re hovering just above my hips. I tighten my grip on the back of her neck, just slightly, and angle her head so I can rain kisses down the smooth slope of her throat.
“Hunter,” she says breathily, and I feel her fingers dig into my back just above the waistline of my jeans.
I make my way back up to her lips and press another deep kiss there. I could do this forever. But I manage to find the strength and self-control to pull back, kissing her lightly on the nose before sliding my hands down and tangling them with hers.
“Thank you for an amazing time, Kitty Kat.”
She lets out a breathy laugh. “Pretty sure I should be thanking you.” She squeezes my hands and licks her lips seductively. “I wish tonight didn’t have to end.”
“Kat,” I groan. “Remember what I said earlier? I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
She rises on her toes and brings her mouth to my ear. “I don’t always want a gentleman. Sometimes I want a bad boy who’s willing to break the rules.” She drops back down and winks. “But you’re right. We should be good. Save something for the second date.”
She’s already thinking of a second date. Somehow, I didn’t fuck everything up. Holy shit. “That second date is happening really soon, right?” I ask, caught up in the moment and the tremulous hope that I might actually get a second date with her.
“Sounds good to me.”
We stand there holding hands, grinning like fools for a moment before I finally step away from her warmth.
“Night, Kitty Kat,” I reply, pushing my hands into my coat pockets to try and arrange the cover to hide the bulge in my pants. Except all that does is draw attention to it, given how Kat’s eyes drop down, then back up to me with a flare of heat.
“Goodnight, Hunter.” Kat takes a step back, a saucy smile covering her beautiful face. She turns and opens her door, gives me one more smile over her shoulder, and then closes it.
It’s only when I’m inside my own house that I let out a long, slow exhale. The date had its moments, but overall, it went better than I possibly could have expected. Only now, there’s a whole new set of things for me to freak out about.
Because I’ve had a taste of Kat Donnelly. And with that one taste, I’m addicted.
Even if I’m not good enough for her.
Even if her brothers try to push me away.
There’s no turning back now.
Chapter eleven
Kat
“Someone’s looking pretty happy for a Thursday morning. Doesn’t she look happy, Mila?” Serena smirks at me over her travel mug. Now that she’s with my cousin, she’s family to me as well. Including all the nosy teasing, apparently.
“Exams are over. I’m excited for the break,” I answer hurriedly, tying my apron around my waist.
I forgot how damn perceptive the women around here are.
Serena eyes me critically. “Hmm. Okay, fine. I don’t buy that for a second, but I also don’t have time to push for the truth. I’m outta here, ladies, there are precious young minds to teach.”
With a flourish, she turns and leaves, but it’s Mila’s turn to stare, a knowing smile on her face. “She’s not wrong, you know. You do seem to have a glow about you today. Are you sure it’s just winter break that has you feeling so good?”
I nod, trying not to be too obvious. Hunter and I didn’t exactly get the chance to talk last night about how to tell people we’re dating, if that’s even what we’re calling it. He did seem excited about the idea of a second date, but I can’t help still feeling a bit apprehensive.
