Chapter 12 #2
The short hallway leads to the recently renovated space.
I have to give it to the guy, Blake…his craftsmanship shows in his work.
The tall ceilings in this old brick building, with everything exposed, give a modern feel.
It’s relaxing back here with the light green walls and paintings.
It smells like citrus, and I make a mental note to schedule a massage appointment.
I’m long overdue, especially with the stress of our most recent case.
Usually, I hit up the one near the office, but I’d rather support her local business.
“If I didn’t say it enough before, I want to thank you and make sure you know how much I appreciate what you did to help with the town.”
“You’re welcome again. It was nothing. You talked about this place with such passion; it was hard not to do something for you. Did you design this yourself?”
“Yes, with the help from Blake. He really brought my vision to life.”
I walk a bit closer to her. She bites down on her bottom lip, and I swipe my thumb over it.
As if no one else is around, I stoop to meet her lips with mine.
She is my kryptonite, and the need to kiss her is overwhelming.
I slide my hand into her hair, moving her closer.
My tongue slides on the seam of her lips; she opens for me, and our tongues are in sync.
Within seconds, blood rushes to my cock, and I’m rock hard.
I know she can feel it, and the roughness of our kiss turns ravenous with teeth clashing, and my hands slide under her dress to touch just under her tits.
I don’t even care that the dress rides all the way up.
Neither does she, since she doesn’t move to pull it back down.
I’ve been dreaming of a moment like this. When I saw her at the coffeehouse, I wanted to hold her longer. Now it’s quiet here. The electrical shocks that are ricocheting between us only intensify the longer our lips are joined.
I can’t stop. She tastes and feels too good for me to step away. There’s a couch nearby I’d like to throw her down and fuck the shit out of her, but I shake that out of my thoughts, for now. Instead, I move my lips down to the crook of her neck and kiss her.
She moans and then whispers in my ear. “We really should move this furniture before your gram comes searching for us.”
Moving my lips to her ear, I whisper, “That’s probably a good idea.”
Not wanting to move, I hold her for a few more seconds.
Letting her go means I’ll crave her again.
When I have her in my arms, I feel alive, which is probably why I’m drawn to her with such fury.
She fits in my arms, on my lips, in my bed.
Taking in the scent of her shampoo, which smells like watermelon, I’ll never forget it from the first time we met.
I finally step away from her. It’s painful not to be close to her, to touch her.
The ache in my body, in my chest. I rub the back of my neck and then run my hand down my shirt to smooth it out.
My erection pushes against my zipper. Adjusting myself ever so quickly, I try to do it on the sly.
But she notices; she always notices. And this morning, she can stare all she wants.
“Okay, let me know what needs to get moved.”
She collects herself by fluffing her hair and smoothing down her dress. “Um, first, I want to say that I really enjoyed that.” Staring into my eyes, I want to grab her again.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it, too. Could we reschedule our date for tonight?”
“Dane, I can’t tonight, but you have me considering canceling.
I really don’t know what it is about you that makes me lose all sense of control.
” She pauses and bites her lip again. That kills me.
Her green eyes shine back at me as she tilts her head and says, “To be clear, I’m not just a booty call. This is an actual date.”
Thinking about what my next move will be, because although I love to be deep inside of her, there’s more to this.
I enjoy talking to her. She’s someone I could share things with, and her personality is fiery and upbeat—just the way I like her.
She keeps me on my toes. It’s hard not to smile and be happy when I’m around her. Or just thinking about her.
“To be really clear, it’s a date, date. Dinner, wining and dining…only the best for you.”
Her lips form the widest smile, which reaches her gorgeous emerald eyes. It’s hard not to stare into them and lose myself in what she’s saying.
I haven’t been on an actual date in a couple of years. But it seemed like a good idea, and now it seems like an even better idea, as I stand in front of her. Captivated by her beauty.
“I’m ready to be wined and dined. And you’ve just gone up a few notches because you’re Jane’s grandson. I love that woman, and she’s been talking about you since she stepped foot in this salon three years ago.”
Gram talks about me to Kendall? That’s interesting information. I was unaware of how close they were. I never put two and two together until now.
With my eyebrow raised and a slight smirk on my face, I ask, “She has?”
“I’m her stylist, so of course, she talks to me about everything. I love the stories she shares with me about her husband, your grandfather. It seems like your grandparents were soulmates, and it’s a privilege to hear her talk about their love while I do her hair.”
I’m not sure why this shocks me.
“She has some great stories.”
I look over at the couch as she says, “Thank you for your help. That couch needs to go to the relaxation room, which is down the hall. I can help you.”
“That would be great.” Any extra time with her, I’ll take.
Once we move the couch to the room, I plant a quick kiss on her cheek, so she doesn’t forget how I feel on her lips and her body. Lingering my hand on her face, I glide my thumb across her bottom lip.