Built Strong (Middleton Hotels 3)

He slipped his hand around my waist and pulled me against his chest. The heat between us grew exponentially. "Yes, you can, but I'm not going to let you,” he growled, looking down into my eyes.

I bit my tongue because I needed the contract and my need to close the distance and kiss him was taking over. Our mouths were inches from each other and I could feel him leaning closer, closing the gap. I turned my head and said, “My truck’s down the street.”

“Look at me, Morgan.” I pulled my gaze to his. “I’m going to walk you to your truck, but first I’m going to kiss you.” His mouth pressed down on mine. The connection was instant and demanding as he slipped his tongue into my mouth and claimed my soul. My hands moved on their own volition into his hair, pulling his face closer. His arms tightened around me as his hands stroked my back. Our kiss deepened until he stepped back, leaving me panting and moving forward to steal more.

“Morgan,” he whispered, holding me by my arms with his forehead pressed tenderly against mine. “Let me take you to your truck, or I’m taking you to the hotel,” he growled. I nodded, trying to bring myself back to the real world. With a short, sweet kiss, I was hooked. I thought I could fight it, but my longing for him was inexplicably insatiable.

He took my hand and walked me toward my truck. It was the only one still parked there. He stopped, spinning me to look at him. When I met his gaze, he shook his head. “How did you make it here alive in that thing?”

“It runs.”

“Give me the keys,” he said. I handed them to him and he walked around to the driver’s side. After twisting the key, the engine didn’t turn over. He tried for a minute before giving up, then hopped out and locked the doors. “I’ll drop you off at home.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why? Do you live with some guy?” he asked, looking at me like I better say no.

“Of course not, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.”

“Safe? What do you think’s going to happen?”

“I don’t know. You’ll seduce me?”

“I want to. Believe me, I do, but that’s not going to happen unless you want it. If you send me on my way after I drop you off, I still want to meet to go over the plans. It’s my brother’s project, and you’re the only local interior design team.”

“Please take me home, Julian.” He groaned after I said that and took my hand. “If it’s too much of a bother, I can try to start the truck myself.”

“The fuck you will,” he said, stopping in his tracks. “I want you, and when you say my name it does things to me.” He lowered his gaze and I followed it. His cock was pressed against his zipper. “So please, don’t give me anymore shit about getting home on your own.”

We were in his rental car and I could feel the tension between us. It was consuming my thoughts. "Julian, please tell me it's not about the contract."

"I told you, Morgan, this is just about us,” he said, kissing my hand before driving off down the road. I gave him my address and he plugged it into his phone. The drive home was filled with silence. The farther we drove, the more I was thinking about inviting him in. It was just me in my parents’ old house. Megan had moved above the shop because she worked so many hours that it was easier for her.

He pulled into the driveway and I got out of

the car as quick as I could. He didn’t stay in it though. Instead, he turned off the engine and stepped out. He met me at the front of the car and took my hand, walking me all the way to the door.

“Thank you, Julian.”

“Thank you, Morgan. I don’t know why Shayla quit, but what I do know is I’m so glad she did.” His smile was real to the max and unnerving. I pulled out my keys and shakily tried to unlock the door. He took it from me and strangely, I noticed a shake in his as well. Once the door was open, I stepped inside and hit the security alarm.

“Good night, Julian,” I said, leaning to kiss him goodbye.

“Good night, my Morgan,” he whispered, taking my mouth and kissing me until my body turned to mush. He stepped back and commanded, “Go before I carry you inside and make us one tonight.”

I paused staring at him, unwilling to take a step back into the house. “Did you not hear me?” he asked, his voice thick with desire.

“I heard you, but I don’t want you to go.” I moved toward him, needing the heat of his body on mine.

“Fuck, baby. You’re making it hard to walk away.”

“Then don’t.”

“Morgan, if I fuck you tonight, there’s no going back.”

“I don’t care,” I sighed. My hands pressed against his chest, feeling his heart race as fast as mine.

He moved so quickly I found myself over his shoulder and being carried into the house. He turned around to lock the door, then asked, “Where to, Morgan?”