Chapter 14 #2
So what’s a man to do but obey? I tug on her hair and tilt her head where I want her.
I run my nose along the side of her face, inhaling her scent and committing it to memory.
My lips pluck kisses from her cheek, her chin, her jaw, and her earlobe, before coming back to her lips.
The kiss ignites once again, both of us trying to climb onto the other’s lap, to get inside and devour.
We stay like that for what seems like hours, our asses turning numb on the flat rock and our lips sealed.
I’m murmuring things to her that I don’t remember.
She’s moaning and giggling, both a joy to hear and an instigator of more kisses.
She’s not some untouchable debutante in her glass castle when she’s in my arms. She’s warm and pliant and fun.
Her fingers have explored every inch of my chest, the dance of those fingertips leaving goose bumps in their wake.
I wish I could claim the same, but I’ve kept my hands on her hips or in her hair or cupping her jaw.
I’m aware that anyone could come out to the lake and see us. Anyone could catch a glimpse of her with a Price. A princess slumming it with the town’s bad boy. It’s not a good look, and I refuse to let one hair on her head be hurt by me or anyone else. So my hands will stay where they are.
In my head, I’ve stripped her bare, laid her back against the rock and kissed my way all over her body. I’ve made her come at least three times and heard my name ripped from those lips in a moment of ecstasy.
Mary London gasps, her hand now in my hair, gripping the strands like she’s holding on to me on those country roads. “Who knew a city boy could kiss like this?” she teases.
I pull back, taking in her knotted hair and flushed cheeks.
Her blouse is askew and she’s tossed one leg over my lap.
Her lips are red and plump, a reaction to my kisses and not some expensive lip gloss like usual.
She looks prettier than I’ve ever seen her.
Messed up and yet still so perfect I forget to argue that I’m as small town as her.
I realize with a start that the sun has gone down. It must be later than I thought. “I should get you home.”
“Before I turn into a pumpkin?” Mary London teases right back, the sparkle in her eyes my new favorite thing.
I bop her gently on the nose. “Before you have to drive home in the dark.” I pull out of her grasp and move her leg off me before standing up. I hold out my hands to her and she takes them, letting me yank her to her feet. “You had a bad day and you need rest, not me pawing at you.”
Mary London leans into my chest, our hands clasped tightly at our sides. “I like you pawing at me.”
I can’t help myself. I lean down and steal one last kiss. “Maybe later, then,” I whisper against her lips. I’m not sure if it’s a promise or a threat.
I scoop her up with my shirt, walking us back to my Harley and putting her heels back on.
As I’m clicking her helmet into place, I realize I need to use the same level of caution with whatever this is between us.
I climb onto the bike and head for home.
Mary London snuggles against my back and I take every turn with more care than I ever have before.
She’s precious cargo, a treasure I don’t deserve and one I’m desperate enough for that I’ll take whatever scraps she deems to give me.
The house is still dark when we get back to my place, which means Rylan’s not home yet.
I get Mary London off the motorcycle and back to her car.
I open her door, but she pauses before getting in, her hand lifting to grip the front of my T-shirt.
I tense, hoping no neighbors happen to look out their window at this exact moment.
We’re all on a few acres, so hopefully they can’t see this far even if they do.
“Thank you for a perfect evening.” Mary London almost sounds shy, which can’t be right.
I place my hand on hers, squeezing tight. “I’ll give you as many perfect evenings as you want, June bug.” Her soft smile amps up. “But let's keep this between us for now. I don’t want anyone judging you for kissing your contractor.”
Her eyes twinkle in the dim light. “They’d just have to look at ya to know why I wanted to kiss ya.”
I reach up and stroke a hand over her hair before pushing it behind her shoulder. “Get out of here before I keep kissing you right here in the driveway and your feet start hurting in those silly heels.”
She shoots me a wink and climbs in her car.
I watch her drive away and then spin for the house, needing to get something put together for dinner before Rylan gets home.
Normally, I’d have already eaten something and put a plate of leftovers in the microwave for my son.
I get two plates of tacos made right as Rylan arrives home, slamming through the door and dropping his stuff on the floor right where he stands.
The boy is like a tornado, but I don’t tell him to put it away before he eats.
I’m in too good of a mood to be a grouch tonight.
Rylan inhales his food while we sit at the table. He hasn’t even finished his last bite before he’s causing trouble. “Looks like you had a good day.”
My head pops up, mid bite. “Huh?”
Rylan counts on his fingers. “You didn’t yell at me to pick up my stuff, interrogate me about who I’ve been with and where we went, and you didn’t ask if I have homework. You’re in a good mood!” He says it like it’s an accusation.
I roll my eyes and put down my remaining taco, brain scrambling for a plausible reason I’m in a good mood. A reason that does not include Mary London. Rylan beats me to it.
“Is now a good time to ask for a car?”
I scoff. “Go take a shower.”
Rylan scrapes his chair back with a sigh. “Fine.”
“And take your crap upstairs!” I yell after him, smiling like an idiot.