Chapter 24 #3
“No way. I told you we’d be going back to the whole staring-at-my-mouth thing.”
“Ugh, you’re insistent.” I turn toward him and sigh. “Yes, I was staring at your mouth. I’ve been staring at it all night. I’ve envisioned what you can do with that mouth, and I’ve thought about how you can use it on me. Okay? So yes, you’re not the only one who apparently has a horny mind. Happy?”
His smile grows wider. “Yes, very happy.” He tugs me in even closer, so my hand falls on his chest.
“I . . . I want you to know something though,” I say as he leans forward and kisses my neck right in the middle of the Polar Freeze, like two high schoolers who just shared a mud pie. “I have no intention of . . . of doing anything tonight. We shall go our separate ways.”
“Okay,” he says simply. “If that’s what you want.” He kisses the spot below my ear, and I lean into the touch.
“Yes, that’s, um, that’s what I want.”
“If that’s the case, then let me get you back home. Don’t want to keep you from a good night’s rest.”
I pull away from him and pat him on the chest. “That’s very respectful of you, sir.”
“Sir?” He quirks a brow, making him look almost irresistible.
“Yes, well, I grow formal when nervous. Now, shall we be on our way?” I gesture toward the door, causing him to chuckle.
“We shall.”
I head out of the booth first, and Atlas follows closely behind. When I reach for his hand, he doesn’t link our palms together. Instead, he grips the back of my neck possessively and guides me out of the ice cream shop.
Dear God.
We make it down the sidewalk to where his truck is parked, and he brings me to the passenger side. Before he opens the door, he gently places me against the vehicle and tilts my chin up. “Did you have a good night?”
“A really good night,” I answer. “Thank you for taking me out, making me laugh, and creating an environment where I can be creative and think things through.”
“I want you to succeed, and I love seeing your mind work. It’s really hot.”
I smile. “You’re really hot.”
“I know.” He smirks and then bends down and presses a very light kiss to my lips before pulling away, leaving me wanting so much more. “Let me get you home.”
He moves me to the side, opens the door for me, and then helps me into his truck. I buckle up while he shuts the door and then goes around to his side. When he gets in, he glances at me and then back at the steering wheel.
“What?” I ask.
“Just thought that you’d sit in the middle, but that’s fine. I can still reach you from here.”
He buckles up, turns the truck on, and then places his hand on my thigh as he pulls out onto the road.
My eyes immediately fall to where his hand is .
. . his very large hand. I’ve had a man hold my thigh before, but for some reason, this is different.
There’s a more poignant connection between the two of us, so when he does place his hand on my thigh, an addicting electricity bounces through me.
“So unlike the train conductor, do you think I can score a second date with you?”
I glance over at him and place my hand on top of his. “There will be a second date for sure.”
“See, when you don’t talk about running over people with trains, you can grant yourself a better chance at a second date. Someone should really talk to that guy.”
“Maybe he’s learned his lesson by now,” I suggest.
He shakes his head. “Once a train talker, always a train talker. He needs to find a match who doesn’t mind such conversation.”
“And what kind of match would that be?” I ask.
He gives it a thought and then says, “A mortician.”
“You know, that’s actually probably a good pairing.”
“I thought so.” He turns out of town and heads down Route 25 toward our properties.
“Is the town always this busy during this time?”
“Oh yeah, gets even busier as we near Christmas.”
“I’m sure you all love and hate it.”
“Yeah, you could say that. It’s nice having the business, but there are times when you just want to walk around the town during Christmas without droves of people getting in the way.
Thankfully all the proprietors in town will hold space for townies.
Which is why I was able to get a table at Prancer’s Libations. ”
“That’s actually pretty cool. Do you think I should have some sort of eatery at the cottages?”
“I think it’s something you should definitely consider,” he answers. “Gives everyone more options.”
“That wouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes?”
“The menu would have to be approved, but I doubt anyone would be upset about it, especially since it gets really busy with reservations this time of the year.”
“Hmm, something to think about.” I rub my thumb over his knuckles. “Thank you again for tonight.”
“Thanks for saying yes,” he says and then turns down my driveway.
When he puts the truck in park, he unbuckles his seat belt, but I stop him from leaving the truck. I unbuckle my seat belt as well and scoot toward the center of the seat.
I move my hand up his cheek, loving the rough texture of his scruff, and then I bring his face down to mine and kiss him.
At first, it’s gentle, soft, nothing too overwhelming, but the moment he reciprocates with his slow, drugging kisses, something in me goes feral, like if I don’t drink this man up right now, I might fall apart.
So I open my mouth, letting my tongue collide with his, and the touch of his tongue against mine sends a shock wave of lust through my body, lighting me up and creating a desire so much greater than I ever expected.
He settles into the kiss, allowing me to take control while his hand lightly caresses my backside, keeping me in close but not forcing me—just a hint of possession.
Just enough possession that I swirl my tongue around his, dancing, melting into the moment as my hand slides down his chest and to his lap, where I glide my palm over his bulge.
He groans into my mouth, his possessive hold on me growing as he turns even more toward me. I apply more pressure, letting my palm feel his growing erection and the way that I can turn him on with just my mouth.
His kisses grow more intense, moving past my mouth and across my jaw as he angles my head.
His other hand parts the buttons of my jacket and finds my sweater, slipping his hand underneath.
When his palm connects with the cup of my bra, I undo his pants, pulling down his zipper and slipping my hand inside, causing him to pull away and look at me.
“Fuck . . . what’s happening?” he asks, breathless.
“I don’t know,” I answer, looking him in his beautiful dark eyes. “I should . . . I should go to my cottage.”
“Yeah. Maybe you should.”
Smiling, I open up his side of the car and climb over him, where I pause for one second, trying to tell him exactly what I want in this moment.
His eyes gleam with intrigue as I hop out of his truck, grab him by the hand, and tug him toward my cottage with me.
He has just enough time to lock up before I have him on the porch behind me, waiting for me to open the door.
With shaky hands, it takes me a few seconds to make the key work, but once it does, I barge in and strip out of my coat. He does the same, and then pushes me gently against the wall and starts attacking my mouth again, swooping down and claiming me.
I paw at his sweater, wanting it off so I can feel his warm skin.
I tug on it, pushing it up until he reaches behind him and pulls it all the way off, leaving him in undone jeans.
I sigh as I let my hands explore the contours of his muscles, from his flattened, thick pecs to the muscles along his ribs and the V in his hips.
My fingers don’t let one inch go untouched as he continues to own me with his mouth.
“I fucking love kissing you,” he says as he gets even closer, tugging on my sweater.
I raise my hands above my head, and he quickly pulls it off, revealing my red lace bra.
“Get rid of this.” He reaches behind me and quickly releases the clasp of my bra with one flick of his fingers.
He tears it off me and then grips my right breast, letting it rest in his palm before he squeezes. “Fucking gorgeous.”
Then he reaches between us and undoes my pants, pushing them down as well. I make quick work of them and my boots, while he takes off his boots as well, and when we meet back up, he lifts me up against the door, and I wrap my legs around him as his mouth claims mine once again.
His hands move up to my breasts, and his thumbs rub over my nipples, while I tangle my hands in his hair and rotate my hips against him.
“I want to feel you,” I say, trying to push at his pants.
He gets what I’m after and pushes his pants down, then lines my center up with his erection.
“God, yes.” I start to grind against him. My hips have a mind of their own. “You’re so huge.”
He grumbles something against my skin as his lips kiss down the column of my neck and then back up, both of us in a frenzy as we attempt to satisfy this burning need between us. But it’s not enough, the friction. It’s not what I need.
I need so much more.
I pull away and look him in the eyes as he catches his breath. “I want you inside me.”
His eyes go hungry as he wets his lips. “You sure?”
“More than sure. I want you filling me up . . .” I pause and then finish, “With your cum.”
“Fuck,” he growls before carrying me over to the couch.
He sets me down and then pushes his pants and boxer briefs off, freeing himself from his confines.
“Take your thong off,” he says as he grips himself and starts to pump. I watch in fascination as the muscles in his forearm fire off with every movement. “Now, Betty.”
The tone of his voice snaps me out of my haze, and I remove my thong and toss it to the side, leaving myself completely naked.
“Stand up.”
I stand from the couch and wait for the next command.
“Turn around and bend over.”
Oh God, is he going to take me from behind? Nerves shoot through me as I turn around and bend over.
“Lower. I want to see how wet you are.”