Chapter 37
YOU’RE EVERYTHING
Constellations–Piano Version by Jade LeMac (Cont.)
Holden
“Can I interest you in dessert?” Max, our server, asks. Natalie shakes her head no, declining politely, and I’m having a hard time not saying exactly what’s on my mind—I want her for dessert.
Selfishly, I’m glad she said she’s ready to go. I want her to myself a little longer before I need to get her home.
“Ready?” I ask after I pay, holding my hand out to help her stand.
Her cleavage deepens as she tilts forward, making it unbearably impossible to keep my eyes away from her body.
It’s often I find my gaze drifting to her body, to her thick thighs, her full breasts, wondering, dreaming about how they would feel in my hands, how they would fit in my mouth.
I strive not to look at her all the time so she doesn’t think I don’t have self-control, but it’s hard.
Her body and her green eyes constantly pull my focus, but then there’s her hair, her lips, her, well, everything.
I walk right beside her, my hand resting on her lower back, and I’m suddenly jealous of the way her dress smooths down her skin. I’m itching for it to be my hands, my lips, my tongue, all over her body. But not until she’s ready. The mere thought of it has me fucked, though, ready to burst.
“I had fun tonight,” she says, spinning to look at me, her back to my passenger door. “The food was delicious. I loved this place.”
“It’s very special to me, so I’m glad you liked it.”
“Oh yeah? You bring all your dates here?” she teases.
I shake my head. “I told you I don’t date.
” I didn’t mean for the words to sound so dry and clipped, but they do, and I know she assumes it’s a lie.
I can see how the light leaves her eyes before she drops her gaze.
I slide my thumb under her soft chin, lifting her face so she can see the truth behind what I’m about to say.
“I meant it, Natalie. I don’t date. I’ve never wanted to before you. ”
“Why me?”
“Why not you? You—” I sigh. You’re breathtaking. You’re smart, kind, and funny. You’re one of a kind. You might be the love of my life. All things I want to say, but none that I do, because I don’t want to spook her. Baby steps and all. “You’re everything.”
She gasps, the same way she does when we’re this close or when I mention something she wasn’t expecting. I want to figure out other ways she’ll gasp like that for me.
I lean in, kissing her cheek and opening the door behind her. “I know I’m picky. Trust me, I know, but I’ve never wanted anyone or anything the way I want you. Don’t overthink it. Just let me say it.”
She slides in, and I rush to my side. My phone is on the dash, where I accidentally left it. I check it quickly.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, I’m sure noticing my face.
I have ten missed calls, and my fire alarms have been going off. Fuck. “Natalie, I’m sorry, but I have to rush home real quick. It’s about ten minutes away, but I can take you home after.”
“Oh, of course.” There’s worry in her tone. “Is everything okay?”
“I think there’s a fire at my house.”
I make it home as fast as I safely can without being reckless, but Chili’s there.
The whole fire department seems like it’s parked by the curb. There’s no smoke coming from my house, nor a sense of urgency from any of the firefighters, though. All good signs.
I pull up, finding Liam right by my front door, locking it behind him.
“Is that Coach King?” Natalie asks.
“Yeah, he’s a firefighter. Um, could you give me a second?” The last thing I need is to put her in danger.
“Oh my gosh, of course. Go, go. I’ll call Allie and check on my girls.”
I squeeze her hand, leaving her in the car while I find out what the hell is going on.