As they approached the building, Ben turned toward her. “I’m glad I ran into you again tonight.”
She smiled. “Me too.”
“Can I call you tomorrow?”
Skye had to stop herself from stepping backward. “Are you leaving?” She had assumed he was coming upstairs with her.
“I didn’t want to rush anything.” He brushed a flyaway strand of hair from her cheek. “Not after last time.”
The contact of his fingers along her face sent a thrill through her body. It was the kind of tingling sensation she longed for when he wasn’t around. The feeling she had missed since he walked out the door. It wasn’t until that moment that she realized she would do almost anything to have him touch her again.
“It’s not rushing. I mean. If you want to come up for a bit that would be fine.”
It looked like he was debating whether to accept her offer. Maybe he wasn’t the only one who needed forgiveness. She had kicked him out of her room in the middle of the fight.
“I took the trolley and the last one leaves at 12:30. So if I miss it, I don’t have a way back home.”
Skye chewed on her bottom lip. “Hmm…that is a problem.”
“Yep.” He put his hands in his pockets.
“Come upstairs with me. Maybe Top Gun’s on.” She turned toward the entrance and tugged on his wrist.
“Are you sure?” He sounded skeptical.
She reached for his face, bringing his mouth to hers. As soon as her tongue ran along his, his arms circled her waist and he pressed her against the stone wall in front of the door. She had never kissed anyone like this in public. Her neighbors could see her, the whole world could see her, but she didn’t care. Ben was kissing her again, and all she could do was breathe in each breath with him.
She nipped at his bottom lip. “I’m sure.”
“Ok. Let’s go.”
She led him through the door. As they rode the elevator, standing side by side, she wondered how much longer she’d be able to adhere to the rule she had created so many years ago.
She stopped in front of the door. If he knew she was committed maybe things would be different. “I don’t want to break the rule. I just don’t want you to think I’m leading you on this time.”
He moved the hair from the side of her neck and swept it to the other side. His lips found the curved spot above her shoulder. She didn’t think she could open the door with him kissing her like that. The fire spread through her veins and she held a moan in the back of her throat.
“I know. I promise I won’t do it again. Not until you ask me.”
“What do you mean?” The key finally slid in the lock.
He sounded serious. “When you ask me and you’re ready, whether it’s in thirty days or a hundred days, that’s when it will happen.” He laughed. “Doesn’t mean I’m not hoping it’s sooner.”
She swatted him on the chest. “Hey.”
“I’m a guy. Don’t forget that.” He closed the door behind her and walked toward the couch.
She watched as he flipped on the TV and started channel surfing.
“I’m going to change out of my suit.” This was the second time he had seen her in work attire, and she wished she were wearing a cute cocktail dress or something sexier than this.
“Ok. I’ll look for a movie.”
She left him on the couch and retreated to her bedroom. She thought through her wardrobe options. Lingerie was out—too much too fast. She didn’t want to wear jeans. She held up a pair of pajama pants and a spaghetti strap tank top. Perfect combination of sexy up top, but cute on the bottom. She marched to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
Fifteen minutes later she emerged in the living room, ready to pick things up with Ben where they left off. Well, close to where they left off. The only light was from the movie on the TV. It looked like he had settled on an action film. The room flashed from high-tech explosions. She walked to the front of the couch.
“Hey.” She stared in disbelief. Ben was asleep.