Her lips parted in invitation, but he still didn’t take them. He kissed the corner of each eye, her cheekbones, the exposed section of her neck just above her scarf. He kissed the corners of her mouth.
She moaned, placed her gloved hands on his cheeks and stared up at him. She didn’t speak, though, just stood on tiptoe while pulling him toward her, taking what she wanted.
Him.
She covered his mouth with hers and the porch shifted beneath Lance’s feet. They threatened to kick up and take off on a happy flight.
Unlike their previous kisses, where he’d initiated the contact, this time it was her mouth taking the lead. Her lips demanding more. Her hands pulling him closer and closer. Her body pressing up against his.
Her wanting more, expressing that want through her body and actions.
Lance moaned. Or growled. Or made some type of strange noise deep in his throat.
Whatever the sound was, McKenzie pulled back and giggled. “What was that?”
“A mating call?”
“That was supposed to make me want to rip off your clothes and mate?”
His lips twitched. “You’re telling me it didn’t?”
Smiling, she shook her head. “Better go home and practice that one, big boy.”
“Guess I’d better.” He rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “Thank you for tonight, McKenzie.”
“You paid for dinner and dessert. Everything was delicious. I’m the one who should be thanking you, again.”
“You were delicious.”
She laughed. “Must have been leftover frozen yogurt.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
She met his gaze and her smile faded a little. “Tell me this isn’t a bad idea.”
“‘This’?”
She gnawed on her lower lip. “I don’t do long-term relationships, Lance. You know that. We’ve talked about that. This isn’t going to end with lots of feel-good moments.”
“I do know that and am fine with it. I’m not looking for marriage either, McKenzie. Far from it.”
“Then we both understand that this isn’t going anywhere between us. Not anywhere permanent or long lasting.”
“We’re clear.” Lance wasn’t such a fool that he didn’t recognize th
at he’d only kissed her and yet he wanted McKenzie more than he recalled wanting any woman, ever.
Even Shelby.
Then again, he’d been a kid when he and Shelby had been together, barely a man. Old enough to enter into adulthood with her only to lose her before either of them had experienced the real world. Typically, when he dated, Shelby didn’t play on his mind so much. Typically, when he dated, he didn’t feel as involved as he already felt with McKenzie.
“I’ll see you in the morning?” she asked, staring up at him curiously.
“Without a doubt.”
Her smile returned. “I’m glad.”
With that, she planted one last, quick kiss on his mouth then went into her house, leaving him on her front porch staring at her closed front door and wondering what the hell he was getting himself into and if he should run while he still could.