“Water is fine.”
We sat and started to eat, our conversation faltering at that point. I gave her an abridged overview of the discussion I had with my grandmother and updated her on the progress my brothers were making.
“It sounds like everything is going to plan,” she said. She worked up a big smile, but I didn’t buy it. “Now you’re free to go like you want.”
My gut clenched. Is that what I wanted? I remembered Hunter warning me that what I was striving for wasn’t really what I wanted.
“I still have a little more to finish up here. I need to find the access point.”
“Oh. Right.”
“It means I’ll be sticking around for a bit.”
She nodded. “I know your family will like that.”
I frowned. “What about you? Will you like that?”
Her smile was bittersweet. “Yes, of course.”
I stood and reached for her hand, pulling her to me. “If you’ve changed your mind about me—”
“What? No.”
“I meant what I said in Hong Kong. I like you. I want to spend time with you. It’s unclear to me if you want that too.”
She bit her lip. “I do want that. I don’t feel I deserve it.”
“You need to let that go. It’s getting annoying,” I said hoping to push her out of her funk.
“Well, if I’m annoying,” she started as she pulled away.
“You are when you say you want me and then push me away.”
“That’s rich, Noah Strong. You did the very same thing to me in Hong Kong.” Her eyes flared to life.
I cupped her cheek. “Ah, there’s the Andi I know.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I don’t suppose you have any dessert?”
The heat in her eyes now wasn’t from annoyance. It was pure lust, and it made my dick nearly come out of my pants.
“I have a bedroom.”
“Perfect. Show me the way,” I said.
Her room was like the rest of the house, clean and organized. Mostly I noticed the bed, which thankfully was a queen size. I planned to make use of every inch of it now. Later, I’d take her to my place, and we’d use the entirety of my king-sized bed.
We stood next to the bed and pushed her dark hair away from her face. “This is a do-over, Andi. I want you. And if you want me, that’s all we need to know right now.”
“I want you.”
“Now that we have that cleared up, I’m ready for dessert.” I scooped her up and tossed her on the bed. Then I climbed over her. “I’m going to lick every inch of you. You’ll come two or three times. You’re welcome to scream my name when you do.”
“Your arrogance is showing.”
“Confidence isn't arrogance,” I said, and then I prevented her from saying more by kissing her. I meant what I’d said. I was going to take in each inch of her. I wasn’t sure this would last, so I’d sear her body, her sounds, her taste into my brain so it could live in my memory forever.