Page 43 of His to Love

“It won’t.” I shook my head and squeezed his thigh to get his attention. “It won’t. Not again.”

He leaned forward, pulling me to him until our lips pressed together and his tongue slid across mine. Then, he deepened the kiss in a way that alluded to what he wanted. I mewled against his mouth. Acquiescing.

I wanted him.

“Come home with me,” he said, breaking our kiss and running his nose along the side of mine. Delicious shivers trembled down my spine as I opened my eyes and peered into his.

I nodded once, unable to speak.

Tyson’s grin was reward enough, the heat in his gaze unnecessary, yet welcomed. I wanted to get lost in the rich blue eyes that were only focused on me. He slid out of the booth and extended his hand. I gingerly placed my hand in his as we headed out of the restaurant.

“Where’s your car?” I asked, looking along the street.

“I walked.”

“You live around here?”

“About two blocks away. Should we take your car? I don’t want to leave it here overnight.”

Overnight. I couldn’t help the grin that stretched my lips.

“A forgone conclusion, am I?”

Tyson’s answering chuckle made my stomach flip. “Just consider me hopeful.”

“Well, Mr. Hopeful.” I pulled my keys out of my small clutch and spun them in the air. “How about you take the wheel, then?”

—

It only was a couple of minutes until we pulled into a short driveway. I jolted a bit in surprise when I saw the small ranch house and one-car garage in front of me. I’d just assumed he’d live in an apartment building, but apparently, that was not the case.

“This is yours?”

“Yup.” He spun my keys once before handing them to me. “Got a good deal, and I don’t like feeling caged in large buildings. Let’s go in and I’ll give you the tour.”

I glanced at the front of his house before returning to Tyson as he climbed out of my small compact car, looking too large for the space. It almost made me chuckle as he unfolded his long legs. I opened my door and met him at the front. When I reached him, he took my hand and led me toward the front door, up a small sidewalk lined with hostas layered with what looked like fresh mulch.

While he unlocked the front door, my gaze roamed the small street. All of the houses were small but well maintained. The trees were so large they provided a canopy over the narrow street. I imagined the way that street would look come fall when the maples turned shades of orange and yellow and red and fallen leaves blanketed the narrow street.

“I like it already,” I said, my voice a bit wistful. Tyson opened the door and with his hand on the small of my back guided me inside. We entered a small living area. A gray sectional took up almost the entire space and, besides the television mounted above the fireplace, there was no other furniture in the room. A small stack of boxes stood in one corner. It would be obvious to anyone who entered that not only was Tyson a bachelor, but he had also recently moved in.

He flipped light switches on as he stepped around me and headed toward what I assumed was the kitchen. “It’s not much,” he said, just as he disappeared behind a corner. “But like I said, I got a great deal on rent and I sort of like the little place.”

I dropped my purse on the couch and followed his voice. The kitchen made me catch my breath. Its gleaming white cupboards and black marble countertop had obviously been completely updated recently.

“It’s perfect,” I murmured, gliding my hand across the cool surface.

“Would you like something to drink?”

I glanced up and saw Tyson’s gaze locked on me. I shook my head and watched as his gaze dropped to my lips where I had, again, begun sucking my bottom lip in between my teeth. “I think I’d like to finish the tour.”

His kitchen was beautiful, but small. There was little distance between us when he reached out and gently plucked my lip from between my teeth with his thumb. Then he ran his thumb over my abused skin. “Nothing has to happen tonight. Nothing you don’t want.”

“I want you,” I whispered. I was barely able to finish the sentence before his thumb on my lip moved to my chin.

With sure, but slow movements, he tilted my head back, and his lips met mine. His kiss was firm. His lips molded to mine and sucked all the remaining breath from my lungs. I lunged forward, unable to stand on my own, and wrapped my fingers around his biceps. I held on to him while his mouth continued to do wicked things to mine. My lips parted on a quiet gasp and his tongue slid inside, rolling with mine and tasting every inch of my mouth. He tasted fresh, and I needed more. I leaned farther forward, pressing my chest against his until one of his arms slid to my back, holding me against him.

“Blue,” he rumbled, pulling back until our lips gently brushed against each other. “My room.”

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