Chapter 9
nine
. . .
Jensen
Leading Brynn outside,I fight the urge to slide my hand around her waist and hold her closer. I’m not ready for the night to end, just being near her has given me an overwhelming thrill. She’s not just a pretty face with an amazing body, she’s smart and driven. To listen to her talk of her father’s empire and how hard he’s fought to build it, I’m in awe of her. The pride in her eyes, I know that both her and her brother have played their part in making GW Enterprises the loyal, and strong company it is.
Brynn is different from the women I’ve dated in the past. Yes, she is attractive and stylish, obviously loving her fashion and accessories, but she is also brilliant. Her confidence is sexy, and her laugh, I’ve never wanted to hear something more. It’s infectious, and in her presence it is impossible not to enjoy yourself.
Stepping outside, the brisk night air sends a shiver through me and without thinking I remove my jacket and throw it over her shoulders. She pauses, then accepts the offer, pulling it around her body. I don’t miss the way she inhales and I’m assuming it’s because she is breathing in the scent of my cologne.
“Thank you.” Brynn lifts her chin, her eyes meet mine and fuck me I’m met with a come-hither look causing my pants to feel a little tighter.
“I’d really like to see you again.” I step to the side, guiding her along with me as a group of people walk toward the front entrance of Rosalie’s. In the process, we end up closer than before, our chests pressed firmly together. She shivers and I circle my arm around her, rubbing along her back with my palms. “Cold?”
“No,” she wastes no time responding.
She holds my stare, her lips parting slightly, her chest rising and falling with each breath she takes. My fingers flex, gripping her tighter and I know I’m playing with fire. I could be overstepping but I’ve never felt such intense connection with a woman, not like this.
“Tell me that you feel this too.” The way she looks at me, I know I can’t be alone.
Lifting my hand, I cup her cheek and drag the pad of my thumb over her lower lip.
“Tell me I’m not imagining that there is something going on between us?” I lean in before she can stop me and press my lips to hers. A soft, chaste kiss, but my entire body is screaming for more. “Tell me you feel it.”
“I do,” Brynn whispers against my lips and her words cover me like a warm blanket.
When I attempt to pull back so that I can see her face fully, she reaches up and wraps her hands around the back of my neck, pulling me toward her. Suddenly her lips are again pressed to mine and a sigh escapes her. The brush of her tongue over the seam of my lips opens the floodgates and I accept her advances. Dragging my own along hers, we toy with one another.
Not wanting to take things too far, and the fact that we are in public, I pull back and rest my forehead to hers. Together we take a few minutes to calm ourselves.
Holding her close, not wanting to let go, but knowing I have to is difficult to accept.
“Coffee, tomorrow,” she whispers and I smile.
“I was hoping I didn’t have to wait days,” I confess.
“Marco’s.” I lean back so I can get a better look at her. “It’s a little coffee shop across from my apartment building with the best strawberry and peach Danishes in the city.”
I still hold her close, unable to release her.
“It’s also owned and operated by one of my very best friends.”
“Oh, I see.” I chuckle. “Is this a setup so the friend can check me out and offer their feedback?”
“Marco is very observant and honest,” Brynn states. “His opinion means the world to me.”
Another hurdle.
“Seven a.m. sound okay?”
“Works for me,” she agrees and though I don’t want to, I walk her to her car as the valet pulls up out front.
Tucking her inside I lean over and rest my hand on the roof of her car. “I really wish you would have allowed me to pick you up.”
“Next time.” She grins.
Slouching, I move in and I can tell that she assumes I’m about to offer her another kiss. Instead I press my lips to her jaw, dragging the tip of my nose over her cheek, my mouth hovering near her ear. “Thank you for tonight, it was perfect.”
She shivers and I feel like my gesture has done its job.
Standing once more I offer her a wink, before gently closing the door behind her. She waves through the darkened glass, just before pulling away from the curb.
I remain where I am watching as she leaves, the brake lights of her Audi glowing just before she turns the corner and disappears.
I let out the breath I didn’t realize until now I was holding. I pass my own ticket to the valet, my mind revisiting every piece of conversation that Brynn and I shared. Her smile filled my thoughts, her laughter echoing in my mind. She’s incredible, it”s only been minutes since she’s left and I barely know her, but I already miss being near her.
Pausingoutside of the small charming cafe, across from Brynn’s apartment building, I smile to myself. There she sits at a small table with a man I assume is her friend Marco. Reaching across the table he places his hand over hers, offering a squeeze. His lips move, and she listens, before responding.
Then as if they both can feel me watching, they turn in my direction and I pull open the door.
A bell rings, announcing my arrival as I step inside.
“Oh come on,” the man says and I pause wondering what could be wrong. He stands, placing his hands on his hips as he looks over at Brynn. What I’m really confused about is that she is smiling, her eyes dancing with amusement.
“This seems so unfair,” he pouts. “Why can’t a man that looks like you walk in here, looking for me instead? I hate you right now,” he says to Brynn. “He’s hot and he’s a detective.”
I chuckle, relieved that I hadn’t somehow offended him but instead have passed at least one portion of the test.
“The handcuffs part could be fun.” He wags his brows and I continue forward, leaning over to kiss Brynn’s cheek.
“I’ve never used them outside of the job, but I’m willing to test that theory,” I say loud enough for Marco to hear and he laughs happily, clapping his hands.
“Oh girl,” he squeals. “Hello Mr. Dreamy, I am Marco.” He holds out his hand and I accept.
“Strong, forceful grip.” He fans his face. “I may need to sneak upstairs for a cold shower. Does it suddenly feel hotter here?”
Marco is a riot. An unexpected joy, lifting the stress I’d felt the entire drive over here. I was unsure of what I was walking into, and I must admit this was not what I’d expected.
“I see the appeal,” he again speaks to Brynn. “You don’t mind if I hold on to this image for later, when I’m alone do you?”
Suddenly my cheeks heat.
“Oh wow,” Brynn laughs, “you blush.”
“Apparently so.” I can’t contain my smile.
“And he just gets better and better,” Marco sighs, walking away toward the counter to help some awaiting guests.
I take this as my opportunity to join Brynn, still smiling from the interaction.
“I’d say you passed.” She bites at her lip to contain her laughter.
“I didn’t even say anything.”
“Nah.” She wrinkles her nose. “Marco is more of the physical portion of the friends test. Though I already knew you’d pass, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t blinded by the eyes and mouth.”
“The eyes and mouth?”
“Yeah.” She lifts her coffee, taking a sip. “They’re both very nice.” She glances at my mouth and then back up to my eyes.
My heart rate spikes, and I want nothing more than to stand up, round this table and pull her to me. But somehow kissing her senseless in the middle of the cafe on what is technically only our second date seems excessive. After all, I don”t want to scare her away.