“Comfortable? What’s going to make you comfortable?” I angle into a space and park, twisting to face her. There’s a light glow from a street lamp that barely illuminates her face, and I see her chewing on her bottom lip. I squeeze her hand, encouraging her to look at me. “Grace?”
“I’d feel more confident if I could get more training, learn more techniques, and maybe have a sponsored mentor to help guide my designs. Some people have the talent to do general pieces, but I want to create on a more grand scale.”
“So do it.”
“I’m trying. I?
?ve applied for a program, an internship or apprenticeship of sorts.”
“That’s great.” I reach to unclick her seatbelt and cup her chin, trying to bring her mouth to mine, but she stops me with a hand to my chest.
“I wasn’t even going to apply, but Grandpa and Logan insisted. It’s a highly coveted program that only accepts a small percentage of applicants based on a number of factors. I’m not getting my hopes up.”
“They’d be lucky to have you.”
“Well, I’m not so sure, and I’d most likely have to leave Miami for a few months.”
The air is sucked out of my lungs at her statement. Leave Miami? She just got here. Hell, I finally found her again. I’m not ready to let her go. Pretty sure I’ll never let her go.
Her breath hitches, and I realize I’ve got a death grip on her hand. “Sorry.” I release it and lean back. “Where would you go?”
“Well, it depends. There are some phenomenal renowned artists in the Pacific Northwest, maybe New York, Chicago, Vegas. It all depends.”
Hearing these locations, my chest settles. They aren’t so bad. “All within a few hours on a plane.”
“Yes, but there’s some guilt since I just got here and started carrying my weight. There’s a lot to do, and I’m so excited. It’s like my life is really starting. Not to mention, there’s yo—”
She stops herself, but not in time. Even in the darkness, I can tell she’s blushing. Without a word, I’m out of the truck and at her door in less than five seconds. She squeaks when I lift her and wiggles as I rush to her elevator. The nighttime security guard gives me a sideways glance, not questioning us. She hides her head in my neck, holding tight.
The ride up, I mentally tell myself to try to calm down. My heart’s racing so fast I can feel the pulsing in my veins.
“Keys.” I balance her weight in one arm and hold out my palm when we get to her door. She hands them to me, and I let us into her apartment, kicking the door shut and heading straight to her couch. I say a silent thanks she left a lamp on, so I don’t trip over anything.
Gently, I lay her down and position myself on my side, pressing her close, making sure not to crush her.
“Say it, Sweet Peach… Finish your sentence. Not to mention what?” I’m desperate to hear what she was going to say.
Her eyes start to shine brightly as she inhales deeply. “You.” She exhales. “Not to mention you.”
I close my eyes and drop my forehead to hers, an unfamiliar sensation burning through me. Whatever it is, I know it has everything to do with Grace.
“Be assured, I just found you again. I’m not letting you go. If it means I put my ass on a plane to Oregon, Washington, New York—wherever the fuck you are—I’ll do it. So don’t doubt that for a second. You get this opportunity, we’ll make it work.”
“Nick—”
I shut her up with a kiss, sweeping my tongue over her lips and then slipping it into her mouth, going deep. She frees one hand and slides it up my chest to my neck and holds me in place, meeting me stroke for stroke until I’m forced to break away for air.
“Would you like to stay here tonight?” she asks breathlessly.
“Thought you’d never ask.” I nibble on her bottom lip. “I’d love to.”
She smiles against my lips and starts kissing me lazily, gliding her hand up my neck until she’s scraping her nails lightly against the stubble on my cheeks. At the same time, her leg starts to slide up, her knee wrapping around my waist. My dick grows painfully hard as soon as our hips are flush together.
Her thigh tightens, and I feel the point of her heel digging into the back of my leg. Images of her naked with nothing but those sexy fucking shoes flash through my mind, and I groan into her mouth. My cock starts to throb as I picture her thrashing under me as I fuck her until she’s screaming my name.
Desire starts to flame to the point of explosion, and I slip my fingertips up her thigh, under the material of her dress until I reach soft lace. Slowly, I trace the edges of the lace and slide my hand beneath it, feeling nothing but the silky smoothness of her skin.
I deepen the kiss as my hand gently explores her until I slide my fingers along her heat and circle her clit with my thumb. Keeping my thumb in place, one finger slides into her easily, her muscles contracting. She arches her back while at the same time letting out a whimper. It’s the sexiest fucking sound I’ve ever heard in my life, and my stomach coils as my dick starts to twitch.