best in me. Always.”
“So, all that bad stuff can be put to rest and left behind?”
“Yeah, that seems to be the case. I feel…gratified. Easier said than done, of course. But there is far more good heading our way. That’s definitely something we can look forward to.” I tug her fully onto my lap, burying my nose in her silky hair. There’s no doubt I look like a fool in love. I bet it brings out the color of my eyes.
“I really hope it’s that simple. Does that make me naive?”
“Nah, I think we’ve proven that together we can accomplish the impossible. I’m choosing to be optimistic.”
Her brows wiggle to a seductive beat. “I’m rubbing off on you.”
“I’d like you to be rubbing on me, too.” My hips bump into hers with their own agenda.
“That’s how we got into this predicament.” She waves across her stomach.
“We did things a bit backward, sweetheart.”
“Eh, I prefer being unique.”
“We still need to go on our first date. Will you think it’s cheesy if I romance the hell outta you?”
Blakely stares at me with longing and filthy propositions. Good to know I’m not the only one with a dirty mind at all times. “As if you even need to ask. Are we going now?”
A glance outside shows the setting sun staining every surface with a burnt orange shade. “How about tomorrow?”
“Then what happens tonight?”
I lean in and nip her bottom lip. “Practice. I’ll give you a brief preview of what’s for dessert.”
She shivers against me. “I think we’ve already proved to be pros in the art of doing it the right way.”
“There’s always room for improvement.”
“Should we get outta here? I think we need to celebrate. Alone.” She reaches for her purse from a hook under the counter.
She doesn’t have a chance to shoulder the bag before I’m scooping her up and striding for the exit. “Thought you’d never ask. Where to?”
“My place?”
“Do you live nearby?”
“Yes. Very close. It’s funny how much we have yet to learn about each other.” She giggles into my neck, the hot puff of air shooting south at a rate that almost makes me stumble.
“That’ll give us plenty to discuss during those postcoital rests you require. You know, those very short stints where you doze off.”
She gasps. “Me?”
“Let’s not pretend I don’t wear you out.” And there’s no denying how my chest puffs out at the reminder.
I can practically hear her eyes roll. “That’s because you lavish me with multiple orgasms.”
“Pretty sure that’s not a valid complaint.”
“Who said anything about complaining? I just don’t want you to push pause in delivering the man meat on some false claim of me needing a nap.”
I shove the door open and step out into the cool evening air. “Keep telling yourself that, Lee.”
“I will.” The pout in her voice is a serious turn on. It tickles some underlying urge to flip her frown into a satisfied smile. “But hey, we don’t need to worry about stopping to buy protection.”
I palm her ass, adding a squeeze for good measure. “That’s my girl. Always looking on the bright side.”
Survival tip #30: Watch out for booby-traps.
We stumble down the dark hallway with our limbs entangled in a complicated mass of delayed pleasure, ready to shred the layers separating us. I’ve never been more relieved to be on a semi-abandoned floor that only houses two other residents. Without leaving the bubble of his hold, I attempt to unlock the deadbolt. The scrape of brass against steel signals my failure. I stab at the keyhole with another blind strike. My aim misses the target once again.
Halder continues raining kisses along the curve of my neck, not seeming to mind the delay a single bit. The lava in my lower belly begins to boil. I don’t bother stifling my moan.
“We’ll never get inside if you don’t quit.”
His fingers drift across my waist, fiddling with the button on my jeans. “I can slip in right here if you let me.”
The wanton seductress rising inside of me pushes back against the bulge behind his zipper. “Not sure my neighbors would appreciate the show. Or maybe they would.”
“We need to move into the country so I can have my way with you wherever.”
“Such a caveman thing to say.”
His low chuckle has my toes curling. “You have no idea, Lee.”
I finally get the freaking knob to turn and shove the door open. We rush into my entryway with a stampede of need chasing us. I yank at my coat, the snagging of