Page 124 of Firecracker

“It’s one of the things I like about you. You talk when you have something to say, not just to fill the void or hear yourself talk.”

Oh, he had something to say all right. He was practically vibrating with it.

His insides twisted up. How was she going to take this? She had to feel something too. The way things had been going between them…easy and comfortable, yet still lots of smoking hot sparks. Nights he was off, they spent together, either in her bed or his. They were in and out of each other’s apartments all the time, even though her bathroom was now fully functional. He brought her her favorite organic wine, and she made him muffins.

He parked behind the house, and they entered through the rear door, then climbed the stairs. As usual he let her go in front of him, partly out of chivalry, partly because he enjoyed watching her ass in her snug jeans.

“You have to work in the morning?” she murmured at the top of the stairs.

If he worked, they usually went to her place so he could sneak out early and she could get more sleep. “Nope.”

“Your place or mine?”

“Mine,” he said gruffly.

“Okay.”

He led her into his apartment, rubbing his hands together. Christ, his palms were sweating. “Let’s make out,” he blurted, the first thing that came to mind.

She flicked on a lamp and smiled at him over her shoulder. “Thought you’d never ask.”

He grinned, his nerves easing slightly. She was fucking perfect.

He slid a hand over her ass and squeezed, then grabbed her and pulled her down onto the couch onto his lap. He lifted her legs across his, cupped her face with one hand and kissed her. Her mouth opened to him soft and warm, her taste as always was like a drug, shooting through his veins and making him high. His dick thickened and he shifted their bodies around, fitting her to him. His hand slid down, fingertips trailing over her throat, then he found her breast. That lush softness made him crazy. He hardened, heat pouring through him.

“Mmm.” She slid her mouth along his stubbled jaw. “Such a good kisser.”

“Yes, you are.”

She smiled, rubbing his chest. “Watching you play baseball made me hot.”

“Seriously?” He kissed the corner of her mouth.

“Totally. You were all muscular and sweaty out there, hitting home runs and sliding into first base.” She breathed in, as if inhaling him. “Almost as sexy as fighting fires.”

“You’ve never seen me fight a fire.” His voice came out strangled as she slid her hand to his groin and pressed.

“No. But I’ve seen you in your uniform.That’shot too.”

“Arden. Christ, Arden…I have to tell you…” Was this how he’d planned it? He couldn’t even remember. His mind was shot, she had him all hot and bothered. “I have to tell you…I love you.”

She went very still against him. He moved in for another kiss, but she turned her head. “Tyler…”

“Don’t say anything. I know it’s soon. I’ve been trying to take things slow, because I know you weren’t ready for another relationship so soon—”

“Not ever!” She pushed back and he tried to focus on her. She stared at him wide-eyed. “I don’t want a relationship ever!”

He tried to keep his face neutral, but knew he’d failed when she squeezed her face up and said, “Oh shit. Shit.”

He sucked in a breath.

“I’m handling this really badly,” she muttered. “I’m sorry.”

“Look, you don’t have to say it back.” Fuck he sounded desperate. Desperate and pathetic. This was not how he wanted to come across. “I know you feel something, Arden. I know it.” He lifted her hand and pressed it to his chest. His heart. Which was crashing against his sternum. “We’ve got something great here, baby. Just admit that. Just go with it. I want us to…I just want you to know how I feel. I love you.”

“Oh God. Oh my God.”

Yeah, that didn’t really sound good.

---