24. Chapter Twenty-Four #2
I smiled. He was being a bit over the top, but just like everything else he’d done in the last month, he was also super sweet.
“I’ll be right back.” My voice cracked and I cleared it, trying to rid the lust from it.
He nodded and I turned and made my way back inside the station. Trying and failing to not overthink everything I thought I knew. Because there was no way I could ignore the way he looked at me. But what did it mean? And was I ready to find out?
SETH
I was sure seeing her in a see-through white T-shirt, confirming the nipple piercings, would be the thing to bring me to my knees.
It was all I could think about since she’d walked away.
But that was nothing compared to seeing her in one of my shirts.
I was doing a shit job of concentrating on the current group of kids we had because my gaze kept drifting to her in those ridiculous cutoffs and fishnets with one of my T-shirts tied at her left hip, showing off just a sliver of skin.
All week I kept reminding myself it wasn’t the right time to tell her how I felt and what I wanted. But after today, I wasn’t sure I could wait much longer. The need to pull her into my arms and kiss her until neither of us could breathe had become so strong I was surprised I hadn’t yet.
Finally, the last group finished, and we were alone once again. She carried the wooden cutouts up and leaned them against the back of the firehouse as I rolled the hose back up.
“So that fundraising dinner I was invited to?” She took a breath before continuing. “I can bring a date.”
I froze. This was my opportunity. I placed the hose in the back of the utility truck and spun to face her, trying not to smile like an idiot at her. But I couldn’t stop the excitement that sped through me. “Yeah?”
She nodded. “I wondered if you’d be able to go with me.”
Hell yes, I wanted to go with her.
She shifted on her feet. “I understand if not. It’s not like anyone from Half Moon Lake will see us.” My shoulders dropped. “But if you wanted to go with me…” Her shoulders lifted in a slight shrug, and she glanced at the ground between us.
I hated what I had to say, but I was officially done with the fake dating crap. “No.”
Her gaze found mine and I cursed the disappointment that stared back at me. Before I could say more, she started talking again.
“Right. No, that’s fine.” She took a quick breath, trying to brush off what she'd obviously thought was a rejection, before continuing. “It’s way too serious to bring a fake date to.”
I took a step forward. “Violet?—”
“No big deal. Really. I totally get it.”
Another step forward. “Violet—” I tried again.
She waved me away. “It was a stupid idea. Not even sure why I brought it up.”
I needed her to just be quiet and let me talk. To explain that I wanted to go with her. But in no way as her fake boyfriend.
I closed the distance between us and cupped her face in my hands, smirking as her eyes widened, and brought her lips to meet mine.
This time I wasn’t holding back. I put everything I wanted to tell her in the kiss.
Everything I felt. Her hands came up, holding onto my forearms as I devoured her mouth.
Moving, desperate, purposeful. I swallowed down a moan, not sure which of us it came from, and deepened the kiss.
Intent on showing her exactly what I wanted.
Claiming her mouth so she had no doubts about what this was.
She pulled back, her breath coming quickly, and stared up at me. “Why—I mean…What was that for?”
I brushed my thumbs along her cheeks. “I needed you to stop talking so I could tell you that I don’t want to fake date anymore.”
Her brows shot up and she opened her mouth to respond.
I placed my thumb over her lips. “Shh, let me explain.” I gathered my thoughts and prayed she was ready to hear this.
“I want to walk into that fundraising dinner with you on my arm, not as my fake girlfriend, but as my real one.” Her breath hitched as her lips parted.
“I know you’re still getting over James?—”
She shook her head frantically. “I’m not. I mean, I’m so over him.”
I smiled. “You told me at the beginning of this that you weren’t ready to date again, and at the time, I wasn’t either.
But at this point, I can’t keep acting like I don’t want this to be real.
Because I do. So much.” I took a deep breath, knowing I needed to give her space and time if she needed it.
“But I understand if you’re not ready. If you need more time?—”
I barely got the last word out before she was popping up on her tiptoes and pressing her lips to mine.
This time, I wound my arms around her back and pulled her tight against me.
Her hands threaded into my hair at the back of my neck as we each fought for control of the kiss.
She pulled and nipped, and I parted her lips with my tongue, demanding entrance.
A throat clearing nearby interrupted the moment. I pulled back with a growl and glared over at Zack.
He smirked back at me. “A bunch of us are going out after shift. Just wanted to see if you guys wanted to come.”
I’d almost forgotten I was technically on shift.
In order to accommodate the demonstrations, we’d had to split the crew again and even it out with some volunteers in case any calls came in.
I didn’t care about going out with the crew.
All I wanted to do was to leave here with Violet and find out what her kiss really meant.
If I were still in Charlotte, I wouldn’t have had to be on shift while helping with an event.
But then again, I wouldn’t be standing here with Violet either.
“No, not this time,” Violet said. “We have plans tonight.”
I looked back down at her, worried I’d forgotten something. “We do?”
She nodded. “Yes. Remember? You’re coming over to my place.” The way she said it had a huskiness to it I was sure I’d never heard before.
Add in the wink she shot me, and a mix of excitement and desire barreled through me at what she was implying. Or at least what I hoped she was implying.
“Okay. TMI. I’m out.” Zack turned and headed back into the firehouse.
I reached up and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. As much as I wanted her, I also wanted her to know exactly what I wanted—all of her. Whenever she was ready. And not just the physical stuff.
“Violet,” I started, searching for the right words.
“If you want to take things slow or need more time, just say the word. But I don’t want to take you to lunch just to keep up appearances that we’re dating.
I want to take you to lunch because I miss you and need to see you.
I want to pull you into my arms and kiss you because I can’t go another minute without feeling your lips, not because someone’s watching who can keep the gossip train entertained.
I want to spend every night with you because we can’t stand to be apart.
” I searched her face, hoping I wasn’t messing this up.
“I want all that too, Seth. I honestly didn’t think I would.
I worried I wasn’t ready to trust someone again.
But you’re not my ex. In fact, you’re nothing like him.
And I know that.” Her fingers brushed the back of my neck and my eyes drifted shut, letting the sensation take over. “I want to give us a real chance.”
Happiness bloomed in my chest. After Lucy destroyed me, I thought I’d never feel like this again. But in just a few short weeks, the way Violet had embraced who I was without trying to change me broke down the walls I’d constructed.
I opened my eyes and leaned down, claiming her mouth once more and wishing I could take her somewhere more private. Lay her down and explore every inch of her body. Find out where all her piercings and tattoos were hiding and trace each one with my tongue.
The alarms sounded inside the station and I reluctantly let her go. “I’ll see you tonight after shift?”
She nodded. “I can’t wait.” Her teeth pressed into her bottom lip and heat flashed in her eyes.
A groan tumbled from my mouth and I leaned down, pressing a quick kiss on her lips before turning and jogging into the station.
Three hours before I’d get to spend all night with my girl. I ignored the knowing smirks the guys were giving me. There was no way I wasn’t smiling like an idiot, and I had no intention of changing that.