CHAPTER TWELVE
Brian
I hit send and shove the phone into my pocket.
My heart pounds against my ribs. I’ve faced down men twice my size without this much adrenaline pumping through me.
But this is Lynn. The woman I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember.
The woman I’ve waited for, fought with, worried about, and tried like hell to convince myself I could live without if she never wanted me.
I’m done waiting, and I’m sure as hell not waiting for her to ask me twice. I’m ready to risk every damn thing on this moment.
The lock clicks. The door cracks open, and the sight of her hits me like a sucker punch to the gut.
Her cheeks are streaked with tears, her hair messy and tangled. An old, stained T-shirt hangs over a pair of baggy pajama bottoms two sizes too big.
And she’s fucking beautiful.
She frowns, and her arms flop to her sides when she sees me. “I’m a wreck.” Her voice catches.
“Lynn—”
I should’ve thought this through. I could’ve showered or at least combed my hair before I—”
I step inside and reach for her. Her breath catches as I hook my hands around her and lift. She comes up against me easily, her arms grabbing my shoulders as I guide her legs around my waist. My groin tightens as she settles on my hips.
“Youre a sight for sore eyes.” I kick the door closed behind me.
“Brian—”
“Not another word. Just shut up and kiss me.”
A loopy grin spreads across her face. “Bossy grump.”
All the waiting and wanting break loose the moment I claim her mouth. Her arms tighten around my shoulders, and I pull her closer until there isn’t an inch of space left between us. She makes a soft sound against my lips that goes straight to my cock.
Her fingers slide into my hair, holding me there, and the small possessive tug she gives it damn near wrecks me.
I slow enough to catch her bottom lip between mine, lingering over the softness of her mouth before deepening the kiss.
Each time I think I should ease up and give her a chance to breathe, she pulls me back, demanding more without saying a word.
I’ve imagined a moment like this more times than I’ll ever admit, but not a single fantasy comes close to the reality of her wrapped around me, her mouth eager beneath mine, her heartbeat hammering against my chest as hard as mine.
When we finally separate, it’s only for air. I rest my forehead on hers, both of us dragging breath into our lungs. She opens her eyes, and all I know is that my future with her starts now. There’s no going back.
“You know I’m going to keep showing up every fucking time you need me.” I brush back the hair from her face.
“And I’ll ask you to every time.”
And that’s all I ever wanted.