Chapter 31
Thirty-One
Harper
“Or not,” I say quickly, something unpleasant churning in my stomach when my suggestion has him wincing.
“I want to, Harp,” he says, his tone so gentle that my stomach twists and bile begins to burn the back of my throat.
I tell myself not to take it personally. That we’re taking things slow, giving each other time.
But it still stings.
“Really, baby. I’m dying to stay.”
I take a step back and force a smile. “It’s okay,” I say. “I get it.”
“I don’t think you do.” He closes the distance between us and smooths back my hair. “Sex is easy for us. And beyond fucking good,” he rumbles in a way that has my nipples tightening against my bra.
God, what I wouldn’t give for him to lift the hem of my skirt, spin me around, and fuck me right here in the kitchen.
He curses softly. “And then you have to go and look at me like that.”
“Like what?” I ask, even though I know exactly what he means.
Because he’s looking at me like he wants to do precisely what I’ve been imagining.
Suddenly I’m not thinking about the twisting in my stomach.
I’m very, very focused on the ache between my legs.
“Leo,” I murmur.
Or maybe it’s a plea.
Either way, it’s effective.
He bends and takes my mouth in a kiss that’s so hot, I’m surprised I don’t burst into flames.
I launch myself at him, and he groans as he hefts me up, wraps my legs around his waist. I feel a flash of cold—the edge of the counter sinking in through the thin fabric of my dress—but then he’s using his tongue to part my lips and the kiss is going from hot to hotter.
He rocks against me, and I moan, the friction so good…and not nearly enough.
And definitely not nearly enough when he pulls back, his chest heaving, his eyes scorching into me.
“That,” he puffs as he rests his forehead against mine, “is why sex isn’t a problem with us.”
I wrap my legs tighter around him, not wanting to lose the heat of him, the press of his hard cock against me. “No,” I pant, “sex isn’t the problem.”
Of course, it is sort of a problem if he’s going to leave me like this, all turned on and ready to explode.
Desperate to have an orgasm.
Leo groans again, but this time it’s pained as he drops his forehead to my shoulder. “Do you feel what you do to me?”
“You can feel what you do to me,” I offer.
And earn myself another pained groan.
Though this time it’s chased by a rough chuckle. “Vixen.”
“Your fault,” I murmur.
“How’s that?” he asks, lifting his head as he rubs his hands up and down my thighs. “You’re the one with these sexy legs wrapped around me.”
Up and down.
Up and down.
God, the calluses on his palms are the sweetest sort of abrasion.
I shiver. “You’re the one who kissed me.” Who’s touching me.
“Yeah.” A cocky smile. “I did. And I liked it.”
My legs convulse and I rock against him. “Evil man.”
He chuckles and it vibrates through me.
“Seriously evil.” I glare.
He cups my cheek then carefully untangles himself and lowers me to the floor, his eyes staying locked on mine. “I think I’ve demonstrated pretty damned clearly how much I want you.”
It seriously should be illegal for a man to turn me on like this.
All hard parts and hot eyes and rasping voice.
“Evil,” I repeat.
He just chuckles then cups my face in that way of his, fingertips in my hair, his eyes staring into mine like he can see to the very depths of my soul. Then he presses his lips lightly to mine.
No tongue.
No teeth.
But still plenty of heat.
Still making me want to launch myself at him.
“I did things backwards with you, baby. I rushed and fucked up and hurt you. This time I want to do things right.”
My heart squeezes.
How can I fault him for that?
“Okay, handsome.”
His eyes go gentle and he tucks my hair behind my ears, presses his lips to my forehead. “Thank you.”
“I think I should be thanking you. Not just for dinner, but for listening and sharing what you shared and…for making tonight perfect.”
“I think we have Nonna and her chocolate soufflé to thank for the last part.”
I laugh. “Maybe you’re right.”
“No maybe about it.” He tugs lightly at a strand of my hair. “Though I’m halfway convinced that Nonna is expecting us to name the baby after her.”
“I think I like the name Skye better.”
He grins at me then exhales sharply, slowly drawing back, as though every inch that appears between us is painfully fought for.
Or maybe that’s just what I’m feeling.
“Walk me out?” he asks softly.
I slip my fingers through his and follow him down the hall, passing my disaster of a crochet project as it sits in a jumble on the side table. I need to figure that out, need to make it nice for the baby.
But that’s a problem for another day.
Maybe I can find a class or something.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” I ask softly.
A squeeze of my hand. A look filled with mischief tossed in my direction. “I think you kind of have to.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my eyebrows dragging together.
He pauses as we near the door, traces his thumb over my forehead, as though to smooth out my frown.
But the teasing is still in his expression.
And God, it looks good there.
The lightness, the warmth, the sense of completeness, as though there are a thousand invisible strings connecting us, and every laugh, every touch, every kiss and joke and conversation is written on his soul.
He unlocks and opens the door, reluctantly slips his hand from mine and steps outside.
“You’ll have to pay the ransom,” he says.
“Ransom?” I ask, my frown back because that doesn’t make any sense. “What does that have to do with seeing you tomorrow?”
A wicked smile. “Because I have your car. Muahaha.”
I gape at him, but he just nudges me back enough to close the door.
The click has my mouth clamping shut. “Leo!” I snap.
His laugh rumbles through the wooden panel. “Lock up, Harp.”
I glare at him, even though he can’t see it.
“You’re beautiful even when you’re scowling.” A beat. “Now lock the fucking door, Mama.”
That has my heart rolling over in my chest—or maybe expanding so rapidly it threatens to explode out of my chest, but somehow I manage to reach forward and turn the lock.
“Goodnight, baby,” he calls. “Dream about me.”
I call out a pert reply that sends him chuckling out to his car.
But spoiler alert: I do dream of him.
I dream of Leo and a little boy that looks just like him…
And I dream of a beautiful, beautiful future.