Chapter Twelve-Gloria
H eat so much heat.
My heart was thudding inside my chest, and I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I were to reach for him?
Would he push me away?
Would he take what I was so willing to give now, then wait till tomorrow to ice me out?
I wanted to trust hm. Hell, I just wanted him. But I was so afraid of being hurt again.
And that was my biggest problem, wasn’t it? I was a forty year old woman who was once burned and twice shy of love.
“Go to bed, Gloria. I’ll sleep on the couch,” Bo said, breaking the silence before leaning forward and kissing my temple.
I stood up, letting him help me by placing my hand in his.
My lungs burned, and I felt tears well in my eyes as I started to step away from him.
I did not want to go to his room all alone. I wanted to feel the way he made me feel when we were together the other day. I wanted him.
Period.
“This is ridiculous. You don't fit on the couch, Bo. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Like hell you will,” he grumbled and rose to his feet.
He’d taken off his flannel and wore a ribbed blank tank top and his jeans. My mouth watered at the sight of all his muscles and tattoos. I wanted to nuzzle his chest. To feel the wiry hair there as it tickled my lips.
Alright, I wanted to climb the man like a jungle gym. And no, I did not want to sleep on the couch. My old ass would be aching if I tried.
“I warned you about talking about yourself like that. Now, I'm gonna have to punish you,” he growled and stalked me across the room.
Shit. I said it out loud again.
“Oh, yeah? How’s that?”
“It’s the only way you’re gonna learn, Slick.”
He nodded, reaching for me with a strong, firm grip on my hips.
My pulse raced. Excitement filled me.
Oh shit. Why is this so sexy?
Bo pulled me closer, all the way so that my breasts were squashed against his stomach and the lower half of his chest.
“It’s sexy cause you want me, Baby. Just like I want you.”
“What are you magic or something? I keep saying all these things out loud and I don’t mean to,” I blurted.
“Easy. That just means you trust me. But I don't want to force you into doing something you’re not ready for, Slick,” he said, looking into my eyes.
“I'm a big girl, Bo, and before you get your panties in a twist, I'm not putting myself down. Them’s just the facts. But I am old enough to mean what I say, and I say come to bed.”
I bit my lower lip, holding his glittering green gaze. Then he nodded, and it felt like a victory in my soul.
“We don't have to do a thing, Baby. I can just hold you.”
“I want more than that, Bo.”
“Do you know what you want, Gloria?”
“Yes. I’m not asking for promises, Bo. Just for tonight,” I replied, dragging his hand off my hip and sliding it up my body until he’s got it wrapped around my aching breast.
“What do you want tonight?”
“I just want you.”