12. Liz #2
My whole body craved his nearness, his warmth, and more of his passion.
I couldn't help but feel that he was restraining himself, like there was a lot more under the surface, and he was fighting to rein it in.
It was there in the slight tremor of his chest and the way he pressed his hands on the sides of my waist. It was as if it took all his self-control not to slide them even lower.
But then his self-control seemed to lessen as I put my hands behind his neck, deepening the kiss.
I felt one of his thumbs under my blouse.
The skin of my belly prickled with goose bumps.
How could he make me feel so much with a simple touch?
He growled against my mouth. It was a purely feral growl, and it made me completely wet. God, this man wanted me desperately, and I wanted him.
He moved his hand a bit higher, brushing my scar. I winced, feeling as if someone had thrown a bucket of ice on me. I pulled back, pressing my lips together.
"Liz, are you okay?" Declan asked, eyes wide.
"Yeah. That was my scar," I whispered.
He’d completely made me forget I had it.
"Fuck. Did I hurt you? I'm sorry."
"No, no, it didn't hurt. But it's a huge, ugly thing."
He frowned. "Go on."
"Before, I didn't tell you the whole story. I got it because I was involved in an accident. I went on a hike with my sister. The wooden railing gave in, and then my sister almost fell down. I pulled her back and somehow managed to lose my balance, and I fell to the bottom of a very steep hill. A sharp object cut right through my belly. It was horribly painful, and tore right through my skin. The doctors said I was lucky it missed vital organs. I’m extremely lucky to be alive.
It's why I decided to go after what I wanted, with the bakery and all, and make my dream come true. "
"And I admire that about you." I shivered a bit in his lap, and he growled again. I moved away from him. "Talk to me. I feel there’s more you want to say," he said in a patient voice.
I didn't know how to say it without sounding bad.
"I'm a bit self-conscious about the scar. The skin is still puckered, and I sort of have trouble accepting it myself. Part of the reason is at the time of the accident, I had a boyfriend. We’d just celebrated our one-year anniversary.
The first time we tried to be intimate after the accident, he literally recoiled, saying I needed to cover it up.
It was so embarrassing, hurtful really, and after that…
things broke down between us. Later, he was shocked when I told him about my thoughts for the bakery.
Anyway, I haven't been with anyone since then. "
"Thank you for sharing that with me."
"I’m sorry I interrupted our kiss. I’m still a bit self-conscious about it all."
He frowned, looking right at me. "Why would you be sorry? You were uncomfortable, and that’s fine.
Liz, I don’t care about your injury—I mean what it looks like.
I’m glad you’re well and here with me. Screw your ex for being such an asshole.
Sounds like he was thoughtless, and you’re lucky to be rid of him anyway. "
I shrugged, though I secretly loved Declan’s visceral reaction. It made butterflies dance in my belly. “Thank you for saying that.”
He nodded, then said, "You know what? Why don't we take another stroll? And then we can go home."
"I'd love that," I said, grateful that he was putting me at ease. I wasn't sure why I felt a bit off-kilter, but I was happy about his reaction. Declan was a gentleman through and through.
We walked around for another half hour, enjoying the beautiful evening before we left.
"I love this neighborhood," I said as we entered Gold Coast. It was like stepping back in time, like it was a remnant from another era. I couldn't believe you could go from a modern high-rise building to these lush older homes in less than a few blocks.
"I'm glad Helen rented you the guest house."
"So am I."
He held my hand in his, caressing the back of it with his thumb. I could still feel the heat radiating off him. It turned me on to no end.
When he stopped the car, he got out first and came to open my door, taking my hand as I stepped out. "How are you such a gentleman?"
"Just the way I am," he said. “And yes, the modesty comes with the territory.” He walked me up to the front door. "I had a great time tonight, Liz."
"So did I," I said and then leaned in closer.
The next thing I knew, he was kissing me.
Oh my God, how he was kissing me. His tongue was hot and relentless.
He cupped my face, pressing his thumb on my cheek and gently wrapping his other fingers in my hair.
Tension filled my body, coiling through me, filling me up and up and up until I thought I might explode.
We moved in the dark until I felt the door at my back.
He pressed his body against me, moving his mouth over mine.
I'd never been kissed like this. It was all-consuming.
I gave myself to the kiss with all I had, touching his torso with my hands before running them up to his shoulders.
When he pushed my thighs apart, I pressed against his leg and moaned.
My whole body shook. Holy shit. I was so turned on that if I pressed myself against him again, I might come right here.
He tightened his grip on my hair, and then he pulled back, looking down at me with heated eyes. "Fuck, Liz."
"Do you want to come in?" I whispered.
He cleared his throat, stepping back a bit farther. "I fucking do, but I won't. Not tonight."
"What? Why?"
He took both my hands, bringing them to his mouth, kissing one and then the other. "You've shared a lot with me tonight, Liz. I don't want to rush you into anything."
"That's it. You’re on a mission to make me swoon."
He kissed my hands again and then gently opened my door. "Come on. Go in. We’ll be together, Liz, mark my words. But not tonight. Let’s take this slow and enjoy getting to the moment."
I didn't say anything because I was hyperventilating at his words. I wanted him, but I also agreed that savoring the journey was precious in itself. As much as I didn’t want to, I stepped inside.
"Good night."
"Good night," he said before closing the door.
I leaned against it and realized he must still be standing in front of it, because I didn’t hear him move away. My breath caught, wondering what to do. I turned around, intending to open the door, but then changed my mind. Willpower.
"You sure you don't want to come in?" I said through the door. What happened to my willpower? Ugh.
He laughed on the other side. "I'm sure. I'm going now."
I held my breath, listening intently. That time, I did hear his footsteps. I listened to them growing fainter and then peeked out the window as he was climbing the staircase to his house.
Declan Maxwell was a true surprise.
I giggled, feeling even more energetic than usual. But I had a big day tomorrow, so I went straight to bed.
I suspected I was embarking on a love roller coaster, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it, no matter how much I wanted it.