Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
L andon
I’m supposed to be taking her home, but I’m calling an audible.
I want her at my place, in my bed. That’s all I’ve been able to think about, and now it’s going to happen.
I don’t ask her if it’s okay. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
Besides, the way she returned that kiss told me all I needed to know. She’s in this.
We’re in this.
Finally.
Pulling into my place, I hit the button for the garage, and it slowly opens.
I pull in, turn off the engine, and shut the door.
Lifting her hand to my lips, I kiss her knuckles before pulling away and climbing out of the SUV.
I race to her side, and this time, she waits for me.
Tugging open the door, I offer her my hand as she steps out.
As soon as the door is closed, I’m on her.
I push her back against the car, and my mouth claims hers.
Tessa’s hands find their way to the nape of my neck, and her fingers glide through my hair.
She’s so tiny, and I need better access.
Bending, I lift her into my arms. With my hands on the backs of her thighs, I take her mouth once again.
“Landon,” she breathes as my lips trail down her neck.
I want to fucking devour her, every delectable inch.
Instead, I force myself to slow down and pull away.
Her green eyes are glassy as she gives me a half smile.
I realize that I could be moving a little fast for her, and I don’t want that.
I want her to be in charge, which is a new concept for me when it comes to the opposite sex.
I’m learning that everything with Tessa is different.
“I know I said I would take you home, but then you said you wanted the date, and we kissed, and well, I just wanted you here. In my home, in my space. I don’t expect anything, just your company,” I ramble.
Looks like the asking for forgiveness part of the evening has come around.
I’ve done nothing wrong, but I don’t want her to get the wrong impression either.
If she asks me to take her home, I will.
In fact… “If you’d rather I take you home, we can do that.
I just… I really needed you here, in my arms.”
“I was kinda hoping to get more kisses.” She bats her eyelashes, and I can’t stop the deep, throaty chuckle that escapes my chest if I tried.
“Done.” And since it’s kisses she wants, I press my lips to hers for the third time tonight and take my time tasting her. By the time I’m done, we’re both breathless.
“That’ll do, Number Eighteen. That’ll do,” she says, her head now resting back against my SUV.
“Come on, you.” I tighten my grip on her and carry her inside. Once we’re in the kitchen, I position her on the island. My hands rest on either side of her, caging her in. “You thirsty?”
“No, thank you.”
I’m trying really hard not to drag her off to my room to ravish her. Instead, I stand here, stock still, staring into her big green eyes.
“How about a movie?”
“Movie?” She nods. “That, I can do.” Snaking my arms around her, I whisper, “Hold on tight,” as I lift her into my arms and carry her into the living room.
“My feet work. The ankle healed weeks ago,” she teases.
I sit down on the couch with her straddling my lap. “I like you close,” I admit.
“How close?”
Her words are barely a whisper as she leans in and kisses my neck. “That works,” I say, gripping her hips to keep her close. I like her right here where she is.
“You know, we’ve never tried the cuddling thing here at your place. Maybe you won’t like it on your home turf.”
“Did I not tell you? I’m a professional cuddler now.”
“Really? Giving up the starting QB spot for cuddling. I didn’t see that one coming.” She grins down at me, and my lips ache to kiss her. So I do. Just a quick peck to her lips.
“Nah, but there’s this girl, she’s pretty much knocked me on my ass.”
“Aw, poor baby.” She juts out her bottom lip, so I nip at it with my teeth, soothing the ache with my tongue.
“She’s got this long, dark curly hair, and her eyes… they’re this green I’ve never seen before. She’s open and honest and not afraid to call me out on my shit. She’s pretty much my dream girl.”
“Have you told her?” Her eyes soften because we both know the answer.
“Yeah.” My hands slide behind her neck, bringing her closer. “I’ve told her, but maybe I should remind her, you know? In case she’s forgotten, or maybe she thought I wasn’t being serious?” I raise my brows at her, daring her to challenge me.
“Oh, I’m sure she believed you, but maybe she might like to hear it again, you know, just to seal the deal.”
I nod. “Tessa Deaton, you’re everything.”
She bites down on her bottom lip, stealing my attention. “I’m worried about a broken heart, but Autumn helped me see the light. I don’t want to wonder what-if.”
“What-if what?”
“What if I let this pass me by? Would I always regret it?”
“I don’t give up that easily, Tessa.”
“I’m glad.”
One hand still behind her neck, the other wrapping around her waist, I pull her into a hug. “I don’t know what all this means. The things you make me feel. The breathless, fluttering, romantic sap that I’ve never been, but I want to know more. When it comes to you, I find I want it all.”
“It?”
“You. Us. The future. Cuddles on the couch, kisses, laughs, meals, dates, you coming to my games. You name it, I want it. As long as it’s with you.”
“Well, I say we start with that movie.” She slides off my lap, and I let her. When she bends over to grab the remote from the coffee table, I don’t even hide the fact that I’m ogling her ass. After tonight’s declaration, I have that right.
She takes a seat next to me, and I put my arm around her, pulling her close while she starts to surf the channels.
Her phone rings, and she hands me the remote while she pulls it out of her back pocket.
“I’m sure it’s Autumn checking on me.” She glances at the screen, then nervously back to me.
“Unknown number. I’m always worried it’s going to be about my mom or something, and it’s always a telemarketer, but I still answer.
” She sits up and slides her finger across the screen.
“Hello.” She pauses and glances nervously at me over her shoulder. “Hey, Corey.”
Motherfucker.
She’s here with me, so I have no right to be pissed off, but damn it, can he not see that she’s all mine? She left with me. She chose to let me take her home, well, my home, but it’s the same thing. We’re together. I give up on finding anything to watch and unashamedly listen to her conversation.
“Oh, about that. Listen, I was a little distracted tonight, and I didn’t realize what I had agreed to.
I’m seeing someone. It’s new, but I’m excited to see where it goes.
” She pauses. “Landon.” Again, she’s quiet, and I want to beat on my chest that she’s just told him she’s my girl.
Well, close enough anyway. “Thanks, Corey. Sure, I’ll see you around.
” She ends the call and places her phone on the table before taking her spot and curling back into my chest.
I pull her impossibly close and hand her the remote. I don’t care what we watch. Chances are, I’m only going to be watching her. She flips through the channels for several minutes before yawning. “Can’t find anything,” she says, tossing the remote beside her on the couch.
I’m not ready to take her home. We just got here. I just got her. She peers up at me, and I know what’s coming. She’s ready to go. “Can we go to bed?”
“You’re staying?”
“Unless that’s not okay? I can have Autumn come and pick me up.” She moves to sit up, but my hold is strong, keeping her next to me.
“No. I want you here.”
“Okay. I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah,” I agree. Game days always take a lot out of me.
I stand from the couch, lace our fingers together, and bring her with me as I lock up the house and turn off the lights.
I lead her to my room and give her some boxers and a T-shirt to sleep in.
“There’s the bathroom. Take all the time you need.
I’m going to go down the hall to the guest room to shower. ”
“Okay.” Nothing but easy acceptance from my girl tonight.
She disappears behind the bathroom door, and I just stand here and stare after her.
I meant what I said when I told her I just wanted her here in my space.
For weeks, I’ve lain in bed at night, wishing she were here, lying next to me.
I’m letting her take us where she wants this to go, but at the same time, I’m a man.
A man who only has to hear her voice for my cock to take note.
It’s going to be a long night, but I already know it’s going to be the best night I’ve ever had.
Just because it’s her, Tessa. Just her presence alone makes it so.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I grab some clothes and head down the hall to grab another quick shower.
Sure, I showered after the game, but I have to take care of business if I’m going to survive sleeping next to her tonight.
Turning the water as hot as it will go, I strip out of my clothes and step in.
The water massages my tense muscles. I’m not sure if it’s from the game or from knowing Tessa is staying with me tonight.
Either way, the hot water does wonders. Grabbing the bottle of body wash, I squirt a handful into my hand and wrap it around my already hard cock.
It’s not hard to imagine her here with me, knowing she’s just down the hall. I close my eyes and remember what it felt like to have her in my arms. I remember the first taste of her on my tongue as we kissed.
My hand pumps faster.