Laying across him into the crook of his arm, I let out a breathless, “Yes.”
He bends and his lips trace my jaw while his other hand comes to rest on my stomach. His hot mouth slides along my jaw, then pauses below my ear. My head falls back as desire curls through me, a soft pulsating current under the palm across my stomach. He lightly sucks my earlobe, then kisses the line of my neck, the edge of my chin, and the corner of my mouth. Clearly seduction was on his mind, and I have to admit he’s doing one hell of a job. I turn my head, desperate for the feel of his lips on mine, but his mouth slides along my cheekbone. He buries his nose into my hair and takes a deep breath.
Unbelievably aroused, I clutch the front of his windbreaker in a silent plea. At last his mouth finds mine. The intensity of the kiss thrusts me back, but his strong arm holds me up. Though forceful, he comes on slow and sensual, exploring me with the sweep of his tongue until I’m desperately exploring his mouth too. The long kiss immerses me completely and it’s like I’m floating. Every one of my cells is melting and becoming his to shape like clay.
When his hand slides from my stomach to rest under my breast, I’m waiting, wanting, frantic for him to touch me there. He tears his mouth from mine, and his thumb finally brushes my nipple through my sweatshirt as he whispers in my ear, “What’s your light from the dark?”
One word comes at me through the haze of lust. Ben. Ben keeps me from the dark and holds me in the light. I sit up in a rush. “What time is it?” I scramble out of Justin’s lap, my knees sliding on the sleeping bag as I dig into my pocket and yank out my phone. “I have to go. It’s almost midnight.”
Staring at me with an unreadable look, Justin runs a hand through his hair. “Yeah, okay.”
“I don’t mean to…I’m sorry.”
He recorks the wine bottle, then stands up to pack up the duffel bag. “Just don’t leave a shoe up here.”
I put the lid back on the box of chocolates. “You seem to know that fairy tale well,” I say, holding out the box of chocolates.
“Someone used to read to me daily. Fairy tales were included.” He points to the box. “Those are yours.”
“Oh. Thanks,” I say stupidly, and stand. “Your mother?”
“Huh?” he asks, snatching the blanket up.
“The person who read to you.”
He pauses from folding the blanket. “No…it was my nanny.”
His odd answer keeps me silent as he finishes folding, but seriously, who has a nanny? And who remembers their nanny more than their mother?
We pack the rest of the stuff except the lantern, which he carries to light our way as we head to the ladder. I give the view one last long look. “This was lovely. Thank you for bringing me. And for the wine and chocolates.”
With the duffel on his shoulder and while holding the hatch open, he says, “Don’t forget about the kisses.”
I roll my eyes, stepping toward the ladder. “Yes. Thank you for honoring me with the glorious touch of your lips.”
He pulls me into a one-armed hug and gives me a sweet, quick kiss before brushing his lips on my forehead. “Anytime.”
Fun. The word springs into my head as the touch of his lips lingers on my forehead. We’re having fun. With that thought, I blurt, “Let me plan next Saturday?”
A slow smile spreads across his face as he nods.
Going down the ladder, I’m yelling at and thanking myself for blurting the invitation.
Chapter 14
Allie
The next morning, I peek into Ben’s room to find him sitting on the floor with pieces of his dump truck Erector set scattered around him. “You have thirty more minutes to play before it’s time to get dressed.” We always go to my parents’ on Sundays, and although Ben loves his grandparents, it’s best to warn him about any upcoming departure if it’s going to mean pulling him away from a building project.
Without glancing up from his task of connecting two pieces, he asks, “How about thirty-two minutes?”
I hide a smile behind my coffee cup in case he looks up. His five-year-old perception of time cracks me up. “All right, thirty-two minutes it is.”
“Good.” He keeps working and I head to the kitchen. I’m rinsing cereal bowls when my phone dings. Drying my hands, I glance at the text.
Breakfast?
I can’t help smiling because Justin wants to see me again so soon. I reach for my phone and type out my reply.
I wish. Super busy.
I set my phone down, but it dings again. I grab it and head toward the bathroom to shower while reading Justin’s text.
What are you wearing?
I flick on the water before responding.
Cotton.
Come on.
Tank top and shorts.
White?
Was.
Was?
Getting in shower.
Are you trying to kill me?
I’d send you a picture but they say the imagination is always better.
They’re wrong! Send! Send! Holy hell, send!
Gotta go. Shower’s running. :)
Late Sunday night, after putting Ben to bed, I’m finishing my business class homework at the dining room table when another text comes in from Justin.
How many tattoos do you have?
A slow grin spreads across my face. Happy for the interruption, I shut my book, push it to the middle of the table, and text back.
Wouldn’t you like to know.
Fuck yes.
Six.
Where?
A girl’s got to have her secrets.
I’m a man on a secret mission.
I’m busy doing laundry Monday afternoon when my phone dings in my pocket. I finish loading the washer in our little hallway closet, and before I can dig the phone out, it dings again. I’m not surprised to see Justin’s name.
Tomorrow. Meet me at the candy shop? Oh, I mean coffee shop.
I actually wish I could meet him. The memory of our date—and, okay, his kiss—has been sustaining me all day long, but I’m booked up with appointments through Friday. After walking into the living room and plopping down on the couch, I text back.
Perv. Can’t. Very busy workweek.
Damn. It’s gonna be the longest week ever. Feel like a kid waiting for X-mas morning.
Come Saturday there’ll be no unwrapping.
Peeking?
You wish.
Hell yeah.
NO peeking.
Licking then?
Licking!?
The sunflower on the back of your neck. I’ve licked it a thousand times in my imagination.
I’ll be wearing a scarf on Saturday.
Just a scarf?
Shut up.
Hours later after dinner, I tell Ben, “Time to pick up the Legos. Then hit the bathroom and brush your teeth. You’ve already had an extra ten minutes.” He lets out a sigh but at least listens and starts tossing the Legos into a bin.