“Only about ten minutes.”
“Perfect.”
I’d never held a man’s hand walking down the street, and the public display of affection felt unusual. Nobody paid us any attention, but it felt like my brand new feelings were being exposed for all to see. We chatted about the neighborhood, and arrived at my door much too soon.
I desperately needed to feel more of the heat between us, that strange, overpowering lust again, even for a few minutes.
Would it be terrible to invite him in for a cup of tea? Would that be too forward?
I thought back to my last journal, and how I was trying to manifest a new, more decisive version of myself. A person who took charge.
It worked when I got that promotion. It worked when I conjured up the bravery to cut my hair, and buy pretty new clothes that felt awkward for a few weeks. Gathering my intentions, I tried to find my courage.
“Um, would you like to come in for a few minutes?” I practically whispered. “Do you like peppermint tea?”
His thick arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled us together. “I don’t really like tea, but I really like you,” he said softly. “I’d love to come in for a bit.”
As I turned to unlock the front door, his hand stayed in place, shifting around my side from my lower back to my stomach. Something about the pressure of his hand on the front of my hip made my knees completely weak. We went upstairs to my apartment, the second floor of a big old house.
“This is nice,” Kellan said, looking around. “This house is truly solid.”
I smiled as I put the kettle on, watching him kick off his shoes and settle on the couch. “Yeah, I like the old-fashioned moldings around the ceiling. It’s sort of quaint, in a good way.”
I prepared a peppermint matcha blend, then brought the teacups to the coffee table, sitting beside him. “I don’t really like beer, but yours was incredible. So try this.”
His quick grin was adorable. He took a sip, then began to nod. “Okay, I get it. This is amazing.”
The second both of our cups were back on the table, he pulled me against him, then into his lap, his lips on mine with a heat that made my pulse spike.
My soft moan into his mouth made his hands tighten around my hips.
I wanted to give myself to him. Have Kellan take over my body and do anything he wanted. I’d never felt this sort of surrender before, and it was the strangest exhilaration.
It was hard not to think about my bedroom being steps away. It was hard not to notice that every inch of my body was begging for his touch. My heart was already feeling more than I could imagine.
All of those affirmations about things happening at the right time were forgotten as I realized the right time was right now. I wanted Kellan. Completely.
CHAPTER SIX
* Kellan *
My self-promise to stay single and focus on my business sailed straight out the window. The hunger I felt for Allie was nearly overwhelming. Unnatural.
My need for her was becoming evident, so I shifted her on my lap so she wouldn’t feel my erection pressing so hard against her hip. There would be plenty of time for that later.
Her breathy gasps and tightly peaked nipples drove me wild. Our instant arousal was exhilarating. Both of my hands stroked up her back as she leaned into my touch.
The emotion in her deep eyes undid me. Allie was so open, so honest, that I could feel the spark of real feelings connecting us already. Her fingertips slid up my neck, caressing my earlobe so gently that I shivered, pulling her body back against me.
She stood for a split second, shifting so that she straddled me, her knees gripping my hips as she nestled against the throbbing I’d been trying to hide.
“You’re so sexy, Allie,” I growled as I kissed her neck.
“You make me feel sexy,” she whispered. Pulling my mouth to hers, she grazed her lips against mine in a ghost of a kiss. “I’ve never really felt sexy before.”
With a surge of adrenaline, I claimed her mouth too roughly. The way she innocently trembled in my arms spoke volumes.
“Have you been with a man before?” I murmured against her lips.