gut. Yeah, she’d be sleeping in my shirt tonight, and if I were lucky, she’d be sleeping in my bed within a week. First, though, I needed her trust.
“Why did David keep you locked away?”
“Blake told him to. I really liked when you kissed my neck even though I tried not to.”
How was I supposed to think with comments like that? My gaze fell to her neck. Did she want me to kiss her again? I really wanted to. She sleepily smiled up at me, beckoning. So tempting. My fingers twitched with the need to follow the direction of my thoughts. But if I did, I wouldn’t find out about her past and tomorrow, we’d be right back to her smelling like fear.
“Who’s Blake?” I asked.
“I like you without a shirt. A lot.” Her fingers danced along my skin again, heating my blood. Then, suddenly, her expression changed from dreamy to concerned. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“I have you, honey. Let’s get you ready for bed.”
She nodded, and l started toward the house. Inside was quiet. I had no doubt both Winifred and Jim were awake, though.
When I started up the stairs, Michelle looped her arms around my neck and pressed tightly against me. My thoughts returned to snuggling and kissing her neck. I was climbing a true stairway to heaven.
At her closed door, I hesitated. Not willing to let her go just yet, I shifted her weight to one arm and opened the door. The soft sounds of her brothers’ breathing came from the bedroom. I stepped inside and nudged the door almost shut behind me.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and her hold around my neck grew lax.
I wanted to kiss her.
“But I won’t,” I said softly.
She turned her head slightly and opened her eyes. When she saw me, she smiled. “So handsome.”
Her lids closed again, and I wondered how much she would remember tomorrow.
My resolve to leave her alone weakened. I lowered my head, watching for any sign of aversion. Her lashes remained on her cheek as I touched my nose to her temple. Inhaling, I trailed my way to her neck. Her scent soothed the need that had been growing since I first saw her, but created a new ache that demanded more.
“Mmm...”
The sound of her throaty groan caused my teeth to lengthen and my arms to tremble. But, I didn’t stop my exploration. Reaching the curve of her neck, I pressed my lips to her skin and held still. She sighed a little and relaxed further.
I shook with the need to run my tongue over her skin. To taste her. To bring us one step closer to Claiming, then Mating. Mine. Her reaction now, even though she was drunk, helped assure me that there would be a time when she would come to me willingly.
I pulled back and jostled her a little. As soon as her eyes opened, I set her on her feet. Being upright seemed to bring a clearer level of awareness to her gaze. She looked up and studied me for a moment before turning away to follow the path to her bedroom. She swayed on her feet, but I didn’t move to help her. If I touched her any more, I wasn’t sure I’d have the strength to leave again.
Waiting by the door, I listened to her undress. She didn’t get into bed as I expected but reappeared in the hallway, dressed in my shirt. The hem kissed the tops of her thighs. Cutoffs showed just as much skin but somehow, seeing her in just my shirt made that same skin so much more delicious.
I fisted my hands, wanting desperately to close the distance between us. The hesitation in her eyes kept me in place.
“Good night, Emmitt.”
With her words, she blushed slightly. A hint of her interest in me perfumed the air, and I smiled. She was mine, and soon she’d realize it.
“Sweet dreams, Michelle.” I turned and walked out the door, waiting in the hallway until I heard her crawl into bed.
Rolling my shoulders to ease some of the tension, I started down the stairs. Jim and Winifred were waiting for me at the bottom.
“How did it go?” Winifred asked.
Exhaling heavily, I motioned to Jim’s apartment. She went to the fridge and grabbed three beers. No one said anything as I opened mine and took two long swallows.
“Well, I think. I shifted and she didn’t run away screaming. So that’s something, right?”