Chapter 4
GAGE
The neighborhood Rory lived in was very popular among NYU students, so it certainly wasn’t as dangerous as other parts of the city.
However, I still didn’t like that she lived there alone.
There were a lot of asshole college boys who thought they were God’s gift to women and didn’t believe in the word no.
“I’m surprised you were able to convince your brothers to let you live alone in the city,” I mused as I found an empty spot half a block from her building.
“Let?” she huffed. “I’m a grown woman.”
I reached over the console and grabbed her hand, then brought it to my lips. “I’m very much aware of that, baby.”
Her cheeks turned adorably pink, and I wanted so much to kiss her but worried that it might be too fast for her.
Instead, I brushed my mouth over the back of her hand again, before releasing it and exiting the car.
I rounded the hood and opened the passenger side, then grabbed her waist and lifted her out onto the sidewalk.
I was a big guy, so I naturally drove a large vehicle, which made it a little more difficult for Rory to get in and out.
Not that I would change anything because it gave me an excuse to touch her.
“Thank you,” she whispered with a sweet smile.
“You’re welcome,” I murmured, losing myself in her gorgeous hazel eyes for a few moments.
She cleared her throat and took a step back, but she didn’t pull her hands away when I laced our fingers together or protest when I moved her so that I walked next to the street.
“To answer your question. I actually wasn’t able to convince my brothers and my dad.
My mom, Russell’s wife, and Ridley’s fiancée had to get involved.
My building has an excellent security system, I carry pepper spray, and I have an orange and black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. ”
“Damn…that’s…” I was going to say impressive, but what came out was “sexy as hell.”
Rory giggled and glanced up at me. “Um…thanks?”
I laughed and pulled her a little closer to my side. “I don’t know how you haven’t realized how fucking awesome and gorgeous you are, nerd. But trust me, you are the whole package.”
Her skin flooded with crimson, but her hazel pools sparkled with happiness. “You’re not so bad yourself, geek.”
“As long as you think so, that’s all that matters.”
Rory ducked her head, but not before I saw the pleased grin on her pretty face.
“Well, um, this is my building,” she said, her tone reluctant as she gestured to a red brick structure.
I felt the same dread, not ready to say goodbye. With a tug on her hand, I brought her up against my front and placed my other hand on her curvy hip. “I know it’s a little late but…would you have dinner with me?”
A bright smile stretched across her mouth, and she nodded. “I’d love to.”
“I’m not sure where…” It was hard to go anywhere in New York City without being recognized, but college kids were often the most obnoxious fans.
Rory’s hand squeezed mine, and she cocked her head toward her building. “Why don’t we go up to my place and order in?”
“Perfect.”
“I’m not in the mood to see any sorority chicks throwing their shirts and or underwear at you,” she teased with an incredibly adorable, lopsided smile.
I chuckled but mentally cringed because it had happened before.
Keeping things light, I remarked, “There’s an opening for a very dirty comment here, but I’m trying not to come on too strong.”
Rory burst into laughter as she ascended the four steps up to the front door. “You know, I could always tell when your brain went there while we were gaming.”
My eyebrows rose when she glanced back at me after punching a code into the keypad. “You could?”
She nodded and giggled. “You have a tell.”
“I do not,” I gasped dramatically as I followed her inside and started up the narrow staircase. “I wipe the floor with my poker buddies.”
“Maybe it’s just with me, then.” She smirked over her shoulder. “You got quiet, and then you would yell something at one of your players, usually in the realm of getting their head in the game.”
“Seriously?” I scratched my head, trying to recall a time when I’d done that.
“Yup. I always wanted to ask you what you were going to say, but I chickened out.”
We stopped on the third floor, and she unlocked the first door on the right.
After we walked inside, she turned around and grinned, though her cheeks flooded with crimson. “Now that you aren’t a stranger, I’m going to ask. What was that dirty thought floating around in your head downstairs?”
Every minute I spent with Rory, I was more and more convinced that she was perfect for me. She was sexy as fuck, funny, incredibly smart, and it seemed as though she was a fan of the filthier side of my brain. Thank fuck because that side wanted to do all kinds of sordid things to her.
“I’m not going to lie and say that I want you throwing your shirt and or underwear at me.”
Rory’s smile began to dim, so I grabbed her hips and yanked her into my body, lowering my head so we were almost nose to nose.
“I’d rather you were naked.”
A grin split her face, and she laughed, but it quickly faded when I pressed my lips to hers.
I didn’t take it any further because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stop. But before releasing her, I flicked my tongue out to trace her bottom lip, just to satisfy my curiosity about how she tasted. “Sweet and citrus,” I mumbled as I raised my head.
“Huh?”
I hadn’t realized I said that out loud, so I changed the subject. “I’m hungry. What are you in the mood for?”
“Um, well, it’s the village, so there is pretty much anything you want.”
What I really wanted, I couldn’t have. Yet.
She turned around and walked into what could best be described as a closet, with a loft twin bed that had a desk underneath, a loveseat, dresser with a TV and kick-ass game consoles on it, and a tiny kitchenette that had a mini fridge and maybe two feet of counter space.
I assumed the two doors went to the bathroom and an actual closet.
The place couldn’t have been more than two-hundred square feet.
It was insane. However, looking around, it was obvious that she’d tried to make the space her own.
The pictures on the walls, colorful bedspread and couch pillows, fresh flowers, and all the little touches made it homey.
So I swallowed my comment about how she could possibly live there and instead said, “You did a great job on this place.”
She beamed at me and shrugged. “I know it’s about as big as a giant’s thumbnail, but I don’t need much.”
Need? Maybe not. But she deserved a whole fuck of a lot more. I’d talk her into moving in with me soon, anyway.
We eventually settled on Thai food, and while we waited for it to be delivered, we sat on the couch and discussed stats on the game. It probably made me seem like a complete…well, geek…but hearing her talk about football with such an in-depth understanding was its own special brand of foreplay.
We paused when the food arrived, and I retrieved it from the delivery man while she found plates, silverware, and a couple of beers from the fridge.
After dishing our meals up and returning to the loveseat, I gestured to a stack of books on her desk. “Gearing up for classes?”
She nodded as she swallowed a bite of chicken. “Yeah. They start in two weeks, so I figured I’d get a head start on prep. Especially with the game being out of town this weekend.”
I perked up at her comment and asked, “You’re going to the game? Will you always travel with the team?” The thought of being with her at every game caused warmth to spread through my chest.
“I don’t know how often I’ll be able to with my school schedule, but I’m going to try to go to as many as I can. But this weekend is extra special because the game is in my hometown.”
“Seriously? That’s awesome.” The wheels in my head started spinning. It was early for meeting the family, but I knew Rory was my future. Missing the opportunity to get her parents and brothers on board with our relationship—especially in person—would be foolish.
However, I decided not to bring it up just yet and instead encouraged her to tell me more about herself and growing up. By the time we were done with the food, we’d learned a lot about each other, and my attraction to her continued to grow.
It was tempting to pull her onto my lap and make out, but I didn’t have faith in my ability to keep from going further. We were already moving fast. I didn’t want to freak her out by going at warp speed.
“I’d better get going.” I stood and reached for her hands, pulling her up beside me. “My chivalry only extends so far,” I explained with a lopsided grin. “And I’m dying to kiss you. So how about you walk me out where there will be less temptation.”
She looked as though she might argue, and I laughed as I led her out into the hallway.
“Don’t, Rory. You’re too special for us to jump into bed on our first date.”
Rory’s eyes softened, and her cheeks turned pink. “I guess you have a point. I suppose my first time—um…I mean our first time…” She trailed off, and her face flushed tomato red.
She was a virgin? Why did that make me want to beat my chest like a fucking caveman?
I inhaled slowly and tugged her fully into the hallway before wrapping her up in my arms. “I’m glad you told me, baby.”
Rory looked up at me through her lashes, and a small smile kicked up the corners of her mouth. “You really don’t mind? I thought that was supposed to freak guys out.”
“Nothing could make me not want to be with you, Rory. And being your first…I’m honored.” I wanted to tell her that I would also be her last, but again, I held back so she didn’t realize just how fast I’d become obsessed with her.
“Now, I’m even more determined to make sure our first time is special.” I bent my head and gently brushed my lips over hers. When she raised on her tiptoes to press her mouth against mine, my good intentions disappeared.
My hands traveled down to palm her ass, and I probed her mouth with my tongue. When she opened, I swept inside and groaned at the sweet taste. Her tongue timidly tangled with mine, and my cock swelled until it was painfully hard.
It was a damn good thing I’d waited until we were far from her couch and the soft rug on the floor in front of it. I angled my head to deepen the kiss and rocked the bulge in pants into the apex of her thighs. She let out a little whimper, and I knew I was approaching the point of no return.
With a frustrated groan, I tore my lips from hers and pressed our foreheads together. We stayed like that for a minute, both panting and trying to catch our breath.
“Best kiss I’ve ever had,” I murmured as I slowly slid her to the ground.
“Me, too.” Then she blushed and bit her lip before admitting, “But I have nothing to compare it to.”
“Stop,” I growled. “Or I will lose what little willpower I have left.”
Her eyes sparkled as she beamed at me, and I couldn’t resist another quick kiss.
“Dinner this week?” I rasped.
Rory frowned and sighed. “It’s an insane week. I have to work on the game stats and get ready for my classes and the trip home.” Then she shrugged and took a step back. “But I’ll find the time.”
“Don’t overstress yourself, baby. I’ll still be here when things calm down.” I cupped her cheeks and stared intently at her when I stated, “I’m not going anywhere.”