“I’m sorry I have to get back to work,” I said softly while nuzzling her ear.
Her fingers slid off my shoulders slowly, reluctantly.
“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night,” I said, finally stepping back to write my address and number on a sticky note. “Seven o’clock?”
She nodded. “Sure. Thanks for the artwork.”
“Take some photos and think about if you’d really like it there someday,” I said. “But not until you’ve thought it through for at least a couple of months.”
Leah giggled. “I love that a tattoo artist is strict about whether I’m ready or not.” She paused. “You know, you should advertise that you do temporary tattoos for people who are just considering it. I bet a lot of people don’t know that’s an option, and it would help them make clearer decisions. Maybe put a sign in the window.”
“You’re brilliant,” I said softly. “Thanks for the idea.” Then I kissed the tip of her nose before she grabbed her bag and took off. Every artist in the shop was very careful not to look up at me, and let on that they had seen anything.
No one had ever seen me focus any real interest on a woman before, so I’m sure they were curious. But they knew better than to ask.
CHAPTER FOUR
* Leah *
When I arrived at Grant’s small condo, I was extremely impressed. It was simple, light and airy, with amazing paintings that were obviously done by him. “Hey, baby,” he murmured against my ear, hugging me close against him. “Come on in and check out the place.” He gave me the most gentle, sweet kiss, a promise of what I hope was to come later.
I walked around while he stirred something that smelled amazing. “I know it’s microscopic,” he chuckled, “But this is what I consider my starter home. I’m saving up to buy a house, but I wanted to invest in something the second I could afford it.”
“It’s nice,” I said, skimming his books. Mystery, sci-fi, and a huge pile of art books overloaded the shelves. “When do you plan on getting a house?”
I looked over to the kitchen to take in his excited smile. “It’s a two or three-year plan. I want to make sure I have enough for real furniture, and some outdoor stuff as well. I need a backyard so that I can have a dog.”
I saw a photo on the shelf of Grant with a medium-sized dog that looked like half golden retriever, and couldn’t stop my little, “Aww.” He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I loved that he was always touching me.
“That’s Savannah,” he said softly.
“She looks a lot like Keiran,” I said sadly. “I had him when I was tiny, but he got sick when I was only seven. I don’t even know what he had.”
“Yeah, my little Savvie passed about ten years ago,” he said, rocking me gently. “When we have a house someday, we’ll pick out a frisky little puppy together, okay?”
I looked up at him in shock. He seemed so sure of himself. So completely confident in us. We hadn’t even had an actual date yet. Was he for real?
Then he spun me around to kiss my forehead. “Please don’t freak out that I’m dreaming about our future already, Leah. I just know that we were meant to be. For the moment, try to run with it, okay?” He flashed a dazzling grin while kissing my cheeks. “Like your imaginary tattoo. Just play pretend until things become real.”
The way he made me giggle so easily was addictive. Then I tried his spicy chicken and rice, which was even more addictive. By the time we were curled up on the couch together, I was falling into his dream of us being together forever.
“Imagine if the shop really took off, with a few more locations, and we needed a full-time accountant,” he chuckled, stroking my back.
“You’d get sick of me if I was there all the time.”
“Never.”
His huge hands pulled me close, and I could feel the exact second that his casual snuggling turned into something more. Grant pull
ed me into his lap, slanting his lips against mine in a deep kiss that sent tingles shooting through my entire body.
My experience with men was extremely limited. The one boyfriend I had two years ago was not romantic, not passionate, and I was pretty sure that I was playing the part of his girlfriend more than he actually wanted me there.
Grant was completely different. He didn’t seem into playing games or working by anyone else’s timelines. He didn’t care if anything seemed normal or regular.
It was odd how intensely focused he seemed on me. But I dearly loved it. I felt myself fall completely under his spell, craving more.
The way he touched me, kissed me, needed me… it heated something deep in my core that had never woken up before. Raw, primal desire that was so overwhelming it made me a little nervous. But I knew that with him, I’d be able to handle it.