Page 42 of Uproot

"Why did you get this tattoo?" she asks.

I look down at the anchor on the back of my left hand, "This one was for my father. He served in the Navy and after he passed I wanted to get a duplicate of the one he had," I explain watching her run her fingers over it. "He was also always my anchor in life. So it really has a double meaning for me."

She smiles up at me, "That is so beautiful, Beckett. And this one?"

I chuckle, as she takes my other hand in hers, "Are we doing a tattoo tour now, sweetheart?"

She smiles sheepishly at me, "If you don't mind."

"Of course I don't mind," I say.

I go over the tattoos on my hands, and then my arms, telling her the stories of how each of them came to adorn my skin. She listens transfixed, and I enjoy the feeling of her fingers on my skin as I show her all of them. Any touch from her feels like heaven.

"I think they're all really beautiful, Beckett," she says once I'm finished.

I cup her chin in my hand, "Not one of these is nearly as beautiful as you, Selah," I respond.

Her eyelids lower as my mouth descends on hers. The sweet taste of her lips invades my senses, and my other hand moves to wrap around her and pull her closer to me.

Ever since my mouth left hers outside of her door it's been craving another taste of her. I kiss her with all of the affection I feel for her, and her fingers cling to my shirt and pull me closer.

Mine move to her stomach caressing the soft skin there gently. A small whimper leaves her lips and my cock stirs, enjoying the sound of her pleasure.

I deepen the kiss, tangling my tongue with hers as she continues to press herself against me. I know that we are only moments from taking things to another level, and I remind myself that this doesn't need to be a race with her.

I release her, giving her a moment to catch her breath as I move my lips down to her neck, placing gentle kisses over her neck and shoulders, before looking her in the eyes again.

I take her hand in mine and kiss it, watching her chest rise and fall quickly as she tries to relax. The sexual tension is simmering between us as I try to calm things down.

This isn't going to be a temporary tryst between us. I'm locked in with her, and though I want her to know how much I desire her, I want her to also know that I don't only desire her body. Everything about her stimulates me in the most amazing way I've ever felt.

"Are you ok angel?" I rasp, as she scoots away from where she was practically sitting in my lap.

She runs a hand over her hair, "I'm good," she mumbles.

"I should get going. I know you have an early morning tomorrow. You need to get some rest, sweetheart," I say, getting up and pulling her to stand with me.

She nods, looking as flustered as I feel. "Right. Yes," she murmurs, looking up at me shyly.

I take her to the front door with me and put back on my shoes, then lean down to give her a chaste kiss and a hug. I try not to linger too long before we end up moving back to the couch again.

"Thank you for tonight, angel. Spending time with you was phenomenal," I say, kissing her on the forehead.

"Thank you too, Beckett. I had so much fun," she says smiling shyly. "It's been a long time since I had such an amazing date. Or.."

"Made out with someone?" I tease, stepping closer to her.

Her eyes spark and I lean down, giving her one more gentle kiss on the lips. I feel like I could stand here in her foyer forever giving her gentle kisses and telling her how amazing she is.

I don't know what's gotten into me, but I know it's only getting stronger every time we are together.

"It's been a long time for me too. But the wait was damn well worth it," I say, letting her go and heading outside to my car.

23

Beckett

“Iknow you’ve got your hands full there, B. But I need you back in Manhattan ASAP.”

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