Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,108
rather have a symbol of our love that holds its weight in personal substance. The thought always counts for everything.”
“I’ll pretend you mean that.”
“Because I do.”
“I hope to hear those words from you again very soon.”
“Practice makes perfect.” She holds up her hand displaying my meager offering. “Speaking of, what happens next?”
I wrap an arm around her waist and pull until she’s straddling me. “We celebrate, fiancée.”
She grinds her hips against mine, spurring a liquid inferno to ignite in my gut. “Full speed ahead, boss.”
Survival tip #32: Getting caught in the whimsy helps with balance.
Determined knocking sends a spiral of flutters loose in my belly. Halder only left my place two hours ago, with the promise of picking me up for our date by noon. A glance at the clock shows he’s a minute early. I’ve always been a fan of punctuality.
There’s a skip in my step as I stride to the foyer and peek through the peephole. Safety is an important lesson to learn. That and Halder would give me a spanking if I opened up without double-checking who’s there. On second thought, breaking his rules might be in my favor.
“Sweetheart, I can practically hear your naughty wheels turning from out here. Let me in or I’ll puff and huff and blow your skirt up.” The slight growl in his voice awakens a trail of goosebumps across my arms.
I lay a palm flat onto the barrier between us. “That’s not how the story goes, boss man. Also, is that supposed to be a threat? Because I gotta tell you, it’s only turning me on.”
“Blakely, you’re killing me.” A thump sounds from the other side, as if he’s resting his head on the wood in an attempt to cool down. “Let me in.”
“Is this the part where I say not by the hairs on my chinny-chin-chin?”
“That comes earlier.”
“I most certainly did,” I murmur.
The door almost rattles with his laughter. “You’re gonna be in trouble, sweetheart.”
Drawing out his playfulness is one of my favorite things.
“Thing is, your version of consequences are more like rewards.”
“How long are you gonna make me wait? Is this payback from earlier?”
I cluck my tongue. “Maybe.”
But tormenting me with multiple orgasms isn’t a hardship. If anything, I’m trying to provoke a repeat.
“I’m in misery without you,” he croons.
Someone is tugging at my weak spots. “Not sure that’s possible when we’re technically together.”
“If I can’t touch you, we’re separated by too much. Let me prove it.”
I take a closer look at him, squinting to see his warped form through the distorted lens. “What’s behind your back? Are you hiding something?”
His shoulders shake before I hear the gritty chuckle. “A surprise. You’re enjoying this, huh?”
“Perhaps I need to see what you’re offering first.” I shimmy my hips even though he can’t see.
“How about you quit teasing me, Lee?”
“But it’s so fun.” Yet my hand is already twisting the knob.
Halder pushes inside within the next beat. A low rumble rises off his chest. The sound only succeeds in ramping my excitement to tingling proportions. Irish Spring soap and woodsy musk invade my senses. Freshly showered Halder is scrumptious. There’s no shame in admitting I drool a bit.
His open palm lands on my ass. “If we didn’t have reservations, I’d strip you bare and spend the afternoon further delaying our gratification.”
I walk my fingers up the buttons of his flannel. “Wouldn’t that be punishment for you, too?”
“Just the opposite.” He cinches an arm around my waist, hauling me into him. That pine scent swirls deeper into my lungs.
“Can’t say I’ve ever found the pleasure in that. I’m more of an eat-when-hungry type of girl.”
He nips at my upturned jaw. “It can be very satisfying.”
“Another valuable lesson?”
“I’ll teach you later.”
“Looking forward to it.” With a tug, I reveal the wrapped bouquet he’s been concealing. “What’s this?”
Halder passes the mystery blooms to me. “I come bearing gifts. Not sure about your favorite flowers. Here’s hoping you like the ones I chose.”
I shower him with several kisses and cooing sounds. “This is already the best date ever.”
“How low are your expectations?”
I trace a circle around my heart. “About this high.”
“That’s definitely for my benefit.”
“Nothing you do is half-assed,” I call over my shoulder while walking into the kitchen.
His steps follow close behind. “That’s a valid point. Especially where you’re involved.”
“I do love your ambition.” I’m reaching for a vase above the sink and he swoops in to grab a larger mason jar. “And your vertical advantages.”
Halder tugs at the hem of my sweater dress.