Chapter 2
Maggie
Holy shit.
This is probably a bad idea. Like, a really bad idea.
But I’m a great judge of character, especially when it comes to shitty men, and every cell in my body is screaming at me that Ian is the furthest thing from that.
Plus, he’s insanely hot. He’s huge—not so much in height—maybe six feet, but I have never seen a man this ripped. His T-shirt looks like it’s about to tear from the width of his biceps, and his shoulders are broad and well-defined.
And I’m drooling.
I’ve been more intoxicated by his cologne than from the beers I drank. We’re surrounded by it as we walk through the bar toward the door.
When I first walked into this bar, I thought it was a mistake.
It’s kind of dingy and doesn’t smell great, but it certainly isn’t the worst bar I’ve ever been in.
I haven’t lived in Nashville for very long, but when I was contemplating how to spend my Friday night, I knew I needed to get out of the house and be around people.
I go to work, but that’s about it. I have only one person I consider a friend.
Admittedly, going to this particular bar wasn’t the best option, but right now, I’m having a hard time regretting it with Ian’s hand firmly pressing on my lower back as desire rockets through me.
My hands hit the metal bar on the door, and I push it open so we can step out into the night air.
It’s early June in Tennessee, which means it’s some varying degree of humid all day.
But tonight, all I can feel is a different kind of heat.
It’s radiating through my body and soaking into me from where Ian walks at my side.
My feet halt, and Ian turns to me with eyebrows raised in question.
“We’re outside.” The words leave my lips as barely a whisper.
His severe yet handsome face breaks into a wolfish grin. Both hands come to either side of my neck, and his thumbs gently push my chin up. His grip is firm and warm, sending a tingle through my body that settles in my core.
My chest moves with rapid breaths as he gently pulls me up to meet him while he lowers his face to mine.
The second our lips meet, I’m lost. As my fingers find purchase in handfuls of his shirt, my back arches to bring me closer to him.
His tongue toys with my bottom lip before slipping inside to tease me.
I moan into his mouth, and one of his hands leaves my neck to wrap around my waist and bring me flush against his body.
Oh my god.
He’s hard, and unless the layers of clothes between us are deceiving me, his biceps aren’t the only massive thing about him.
All too soon, his lips slow, and he breaks the kiss to rest his forehead on mine. My eyes flutter open to see his lips parted as panting breaths leave him. His eyes are still closed, and I relish that he seems to be just as affected by our kiss as I am.
His eyes open, looking down at me as he asks softly, “Where’s your car?”
“I didn’t drive here.”
“Good, let’s go.”
Butterflies swarm my stomach as he intertwines our fingers and drags me across the parking lot to the back row. The lone car there is stunning and looks to be a fully restored Bronco. I can’t tell what color it is in the dark, but even in the moonlight, the paint shines bright.
“Nice ride.” I’ve always loved Broncos, and you can’t beat a classic when someone’s put this much work and money into restoring them.
Unlocking it, he pulls the door open and helps me up since it’s also slightly lifted, but thankfully, it has a running board to assist. “Thanks, it took me years, but I love it.”
My jaw drops as I take in the interior. “You did this yourself?”
He gives me a cocky grin. “Many talents, remember?”
I roll my eyes with a laugh as he slams the door shut, jogs around the front of the vehicle, and climbs inside.
His scent is even more alluring, being enclosed with him. Even the way he drives turns me on. With his left hand casually draped over the top of the steering wheel, the other sits on his thigh, tightening into and out of a fist.
I glance out the window to stop staring at him. “I’m assuming we’re going to your house?” I know I should be nervous about going to a stranger’s house, but all I can feel is boundless excitement and increasing arousal.
He cuts his eyes over to me before taking a left. “Would you prefer to go to your place? I don’t care where we go as long as you end up naked sooner rather than later.”
An embarrassing whimper leaves me at his forwardness. My hope that he didn’t hear me dies with his answering smirk.
“Yours is fine,” I say quietly, worrying my lip as we return to the electrically charged silence.
The car slows as it comes to a stop at a red light, and renewed nerves rush through my veins. I slide my hands between my thighs to keep from fidgeting. “So, uh, you do this often?”
Tilting his head so he can see me, he raises an eyebrow. “Do what? Take home the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen so I can fuck her brains out?”
My belly flips, his hand rubbing across his mouth as we roll through the intersection.
“While I’m no stranger to casual sex, this would be a first.”
“Oh…okay, good to know,” I respond breathily as I push hair behind my ear. Before I can shove my hand back in the safety of my thighs, he catches it in his. His eyes don’t leave the road as he pulls it toward him. I nearly hum as his warm lips press to the back of my hand.
“You getting cold feet? I can take you home if you’d prefer.”
If I told him that’s what I wanted, he’d undoubtedly do it without question or objection, which is why I answer, “Nope. No cold feet.”
We turn right and then turn into a driveway. “Good, because we’re here.” He kisses my hand once more before releasing it and opening his door.
I don’t overthink it as I do the same and carefully climb down.
My legs are slightly unsteady as I circle the vehicle.
Ian’s heated gaze tracks me as I approach him, gesturing for me to lead the way to the door.
I blow out a slow breath through pursed lips as my sneakers silently strike the stone path to his small front porch.
My heart beats harder as I climb the three steps.
I wasn’t lying when I said I hadn’t changed my mind, but anticipation swirls through me.
The energy at my back shifts as Ian steps up behind me.
His body heat envelops me as he reaches around me and punches in the code on the keypad on his door, which looks expensive and more technologically advanced than the normal keyless entries I’ve seen.
Very high tech.
And probably safe.
It’s pathetic how much I took the comfort of safety for granted before the most recent events in my life. Anger starts to devour the more pleasant feelings until Ian’s arm slips around my waist, and I’m pulled flush against his chest.
His lips brush my ear as he whispers, “Inside, Maggie.” Wetness greets my earlobe as his tongue and teeth travel along my skin. “Unless voyeurism is your thing, because if so, I’m down.”
Goosebumps explode on my skin as a delicious shiver unfurls down my spine.
He loosens his grip a little as I take a step forward, but I don’t lose his grip completely.
I try to make out what I can when we enter his house.
But I’m disappointed when the darkness makes it nearly impossible.
I’m more curious about this man than anyone I’ve ever met.
There’s something about him that draws me in and puts me at ease.
Ian propels us forward down an even darker hall since it lacks the moonlight from the windows. I move my hand out to the side to make sure I know where the wall is, so I don’t run into it. Ian seems to have none of the same concerns.
“Do you have really good night vision or something?” My voice is deafening in the nearly silent house.
“Doctors say it is the best they have ever seen. Wanted to do a study on me and everything.”
I snort a laugh and roll my eyes. “Yeah, okay.”
He playfully pinches my side. “Military training. We had night vision goggles, but sometimes you have to rely on just your own sight.”
“Ah, now that makes way more sense.” And it does. Not just about navigating in the dark, but his whole demeanor fits someone who’s been in the military. If I had to guess, I’d say he was enlisted for a while.
A slight pressure on my side indicates I should take a left.
When we’re a few steps into the room, he stops, so I do as well.
He walks past me, and his soft footsteps move farther away from me until a click sounds, and we’re both bathed in the low light of a lamp on his nightstand.
Quickly glancing around the room, I notice how it’s filled with dark wooden furniture and a moody dark rug, which also seems to fit the man stalking toward me.
He looks even bigger in the dim lighting. My body’s buzzing as he stops inches away from me. A small smile graces his lips while his eyes search my face. With his intense gaze on me, my chest rises and falls more rapidly.
What if he doesn’t like what he sees anymore? What if he wishes he were with someone skinnier? Prettier?
His fingertips brush my cheek as he pushes loose strands of hair behind my ear.
I swallow roughly as excitement drowns out any thoughts that aren’t about him and the way he’s looking at me.
He carefully slides my glasses off my face and sets them on his nightstand.
I thank the eyesight gods for my nearsightedness, so I don’t miss anything when he steps back to me, our bodies inches apart as he cups my cheeks.
“Maggie, you’re so fucking beautiful.” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip, and I fight the urge to lick it. “I want to spank your ass for stepping foot in that goddamn bar by yourself, but fuck, am I sure happy you did.”
The only response I can manage is a mix of a whimper and a strangled moan.