Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
M allory was alone in the back of a limo with Dylan, her hot, failed fling. She flushed. This was awkward. Her body still ached with frustration from the night before. How had she not realized corporate would send them both to Seoul on the same flight?
Dylan tugged her onto his lap as if he hadn’t left her last night to take a call and not returned. His arm rested lightly across her lap, and his hand on her thigh set off all the feels.
If he inched his fingers lower, he could maneuver her body into whatever position he wanted. If he inched his fingers higher, they would be right back where they’d left off the night before. Oh my.
Lovely heat spread through Mallory, confusing her.
Did she really need clarity about their temporary relationship? Did she need to be more important than a random phone call? He’d explained the call was from his band. He should be committed to them. He’d never committed to her. A fling was enough. Wasn’t it?
No .
He was a global rock star who didn’t even live in the same state and couldn’t offer more than a few scorching memories, like the ones he’d given her in Paris. Did she want more of what he’d shown her there?
Yes.
Dylan lightly rubbed his thumb against the inside of her thigh, along the seam of her yoga pants, up and down, up and down. The sensation shot straight up her body, through her blooming core, tightening her nipples and making her lips ache to press against his.
Yes, please. “We’ve left Paris.” Okay. She needed a clear understanding of what their new temporary looked like because she heard the unspoken question in her voice. Did he want to extend their time together? She did.
“It’s still Tuesday. Our week hasn’t ended.” Dylan glanced away, then back, no answers in his eyes. “Anything longer would be complicated.” He didn’t move while he waited for her answer to his unspoken question.
Got it. He meant super temporary. That she understood. They were destined to be a one-night couple. Or did he simply mean this moment? A kiss on lips she thought she’d never kiss again? Mallory traced her fingertips along his neck. She’d say yes. Yes to more than a kiss. She wanted more.
What did he want? How far were they from her hotel? Would he like to be invited in?
Dylan leaned into her touch, and his chest rose faster. “That feels good.”
She traced her cool fingers along the warmth of his jaw, staring at his lips. “Does it?”
His body gave a light jerk. He leaned his face into her palm. “Yes.”
She loved his appreciation. What could she suggest as a next step? Quiet limo, blackened glass, the hum of music low through the speakers. Her eyelids lowered. “Do you want to?—”
Dylan’s phone rang, interrupting her unspoken invitation.
Mallory dropped her hand away from him.
Dylan stared hard at the wall of the limo as if by not looking at the phone, he could deny the fact that it was ringing. The ringtone had a lyric with the word “mother” in it. For a second, he did nothing, then he flipped his phone face up. The screen read Mom .
Embarrassed heat flushed through her, though his mom couldn’t actually see them. Mallory slipped off Dylan’s lap and put her palms to her cheeks.
Dylan drew in a breath and answered the call. “Hey, Ma, yeah, just landed.”
“Come by for dinner.”
Mallory was so close, she could hear his mom through the speaker. She shifted awkwardly on the seat. Such a normal thing, for a mom to call after landing.
Dylan looked at Mallory. “I’m not alone.”
“Bring the boys.”
Mallory flushed harder, though again, it wasn’t as if his mom could know what they’d been up to.
“Not the band.” Dylan tilted his head. “A colleague from the office.”
A colleague? That was accurate, sort of. That wasn’t how he actually saw her, was it?
“Bring them.”
“Ma…”
“How long has it been since I’ve seen you, and you want to make me wait even longer?” The voice was layered with a combination of affection and mom guilt, both classic and powerful.
If she still had a mom to call after landing… Tears bit at her eyes. Mallery made herself not go there. She touched his arm. “Go,” she whispered without meeting his eyes. “The driver can drop me at the hotel next.”
Mallory blinked and made herself meet his gaze to show her sincerity. “Take care of your family.”
Dylan nodded, cupped a hand over the phone, and used the intercom to give the driver an address. Then he was back on the phone.
Even though they were meeting that evening, his mom still had a lot to say. From names she didn’t know, to his sister Jenny, to his dad. His mom gave him the rundown on what they’d been up to. All the while, peppering him with questions about his schedule.
Dylan assured her that he wasn’t being overworked, that Europe had gone well, and that he’d make time for the family while he was in Seoul.
He didn’t want his mom to worry about his schedule. That made Mallory want to look after him even more, like they were in a relationship. They weren’t. Nor could they be. She shouldn’t be getting that idea.
By the time Dylan ended the call with his mom, they were pulling up to a large house in a gated community. Dylan smiled at her. “Guess who’s coming to dinner.”