Page 57 of Mr. July

She perked up a bit. “I didn’t think you were serious. Adopting a dog isn’t a whim. It’s for life.”

“I know what commitment is.”

She nodded and I swore she was trying to blink back tears. “I-I’m sorry. I just don’t think this is a good idea. I’m not feeling up to a date.”

“Chicken?” I challenged with one brow raised. “Because the ryanhill99 I know would never back down.”

“Did you bring a check?”

“Did you email the court to drop your suit?”

Her chin lifted. “I did nothing wrong.”

“I have all the evidence.” I leaned in closer, my breath moved a few hairs above her ear as I spoke into it. “Photographic evidence as well as all the party favors for court. Are you sure you still want Bunny there to defend you?”

I straightened. Her eyes were glassy. Her nipples peaked beneath her shirt. Cheeks flushed. “You smell good,” she muttered reluctantly.

“You taste even better.” My mouth latched onto hers before I could stop myself. I nipped her lips, speaking in between kisses. “You have been driving me crazy for months. Do you know how many nights I fantasized about sending you glitter bombs? Tying you up while force feeding you gummy dicks until you felt sick and begged me to stop? Having my day with you in court? Once I had a face to match the name—my fantasies became a bit more wicked.” I walked her backward, kissing her as I did.

Her hands were on my shoulders, moved down my biceps before stroking back up my arms. Her touch was light but felt so good. My head lifted and I froze. There in her tiny apartment, tacked on a wall was one of my calendars. My face was…defaced.She had taken a black marker and drew devil horns above my head, given me a black beard andnipple rings?

“I was a bit angry about Daisy.”

“Did it make you feel better?”

“For about ten minutes.”

My lips twitched. “Well, don’t worry baby. You don’t need a calendar when you have me right here.” I took her hand, resting it across my chest, knowing she could feel how hard my heart was beating for her.

“This is madness. Insanity. I hated you for months….”

“And yet you want me?” She nodded biting her lip. “I don’t hate you, but I do want to punish you. We’ll get to that after date number five.”

“Thirteen.” She countered.

My brow lifted. “I can’t last that long.”

“Oh? You have stamina issues Mr. Esquire?”

I took a step back, turning her around with my hands. “Go get changed for our date before I decide to show you right here and now that stamina isn’t an issue for me.” I expected her to issue a quick retort. She fled to her room instead. I knew we both wouldn’t last past date three. This thing between us was burning hotter than ever, fueled by our previous communications. I wanted her so bad. Wanted to taste every inch of her skin. Feel her body moving under me. But most of all, I wanted her sleepy eyes on Sunday mornings as we hit snooze. I wanted her last thought at night before she drifted off to sleep. I wanted her in the passenger seat of my Tesla, singing old eighties tunes with my sunroof open. I wanted her in my kitchen, naked under one of my old sports jerseys while we sipped coffee and watched the waves. Hunter was right. I was caught. Hook. Line. And sinker.

Twenty-Three

“Favorite movie?” He asked, while plopping a fig into my mouth. I moaned. It was crunchy while sweet. He was seducing me one dish at a time with his heartfelt questions, needing to know everything about me while insisting on hand feeding me. It was a turn on like I’d never had before. A seduction of the senses. His slow, deliberate foreplay was making me want to be the aggressor, yank his head to mine demanding he have his wicked way with me.

I gave him an answer instead. “The Notebook. I watched it with Gran last Christmas.”

“After your old boyfriend broke up with you?”

I lifted my wine, took a tiny sip, “Gran is off her rocker. How much did she tell you?”

He smirked. “My charm works wonders. Granny sold you out. Anyway. I’m glad he dumped you…” The spot between my legs was feeling needy and tingly and he made things worse by taking the pad of his index finger and running it across my lower lip. It was only our first official date but felt like we were already together. The only thing missing was sealing the deal. “What’s your one childhood memory that sticks out more than the rest?”

I sat back, eyes managing to get a glimpse of a shooting star. “The summer I turned ten and I thought my father still gave a crap about me. He got a big bonus check, took me to Hershey park as a treat. We went on every rollercoaster and he let me eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was sick for two days after, but it was worth it.”

Chase grinned. “My father never hit or yelled at us. He was a lover. Too much of one.” I winced, hoping Chase didn’t follow in his footsteps. Insecurity came out of its hiding spot. “I’m nothing like him. I haven’t dated since before I bought the beach house. No one was worth my time.”

“After Wade, I just lost myself in the research program. As I should anyway.”

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