Page 28 of Caught Looking

He smiled, a gleam in his dancing eyes. “I mean all that in the best ways possible. If you kiss me, Annalise, I’m yours. I won’t just dropkick the Owen Montgomerys of the world, I’ll make anyone who bothers you regret it. I’ll get jealous when someone else has your attention because I want all of it. Doesn’t mean I’ll do anything other than fume in my own dark little corner. And as for claim…isn’t that what lovers do when they care? They let the world know that they belong to each other? Kind of goes with the wildly exclusive part.”

Each and every point made me want him even more. I felt like a magnet being drawn inevitably towards something huge.

If you kiss me, Annalise, I’m yours.

It felt good to be wanted. I’d spent so much time and effort making sure my career took off. That I had a future. Sure I had the girls and Rhett. My parents were supportive. But none of that was the same as a man wanting me.

Tonight, as strange and unsettling as it had been, was also thrilling because of Seth. So I kissed him. I surged forward and pressed my lips to his. His jaw was still smooth from his pregame shave and his lips were soft once the surprise wore off. A low hum of approval vibrated the air around us as he wrapped an arm around my back to haul me closer. When my lips parted he swept inside, tasting me as I tasted him for the first time. Syrup and chocolate from dinner. He wasn’t an overbearing kisser. He took some then let me explore. He hummed and flexed his fingers each time I did something he enjoyed. His large hands pressed into my back and held me close.

Until a puff of hot breath and drool nuzzled a cold nose between us.

Seth shot a glare at Roscoe. “Is this war, buddy? You don’t want me touching her? And I thought Rhett would be the problem.”

I nipped at his lower lip then pet Roscoe’s head. “I actually think he’s jealous. He thinks we’re playing.”

Seth’s gaze swung my way. “This is not a game.”

“I know,” I answered softly. Seth was as serious and invested as I hoped a man might be with me one day. I kind of wanted to do some cartwheels and backflips.

“Out of here, buddy. I’ll play with you later.” He elbowed poor Roscoe out of the way, then brought his hands to my face and kissed me soundly. Sweetly. Until I had no idea which was up or down.

Then the bastard launched off the couch. “Which way is the guest room?” Seth peeked into the hallway looking left and right.

Leaving me cold, lonely, and damned confused. “Where are you going?”

“To get ready for bed of course.”

I huffed into my hand, but nope, my breath wasn’t bad. Just pancakes and syrup. And I knew I wasn’t a bad kisser. There was no way Seth didn’t enjoy every second of our lips melding together.

I jumped when he dropped a kiss on the top of my head. Then he hooked a finger under my chin, tilting my face up to his. “Babe, it’s one in the morning and we should get some sleep.”

Sleep?After a kiss like that? “Did I do something wrong?”

His expression was nothing if not adoring. “Of course not.”

“Then…why are you going to bed?”

He grinned, spinning on his heel to peek outside. “Because I’m a gentleman.”

“You arenota gentleman, Seth Butler.” I stood up and glared. I would not be the one and only woman he rejected. That…well that was simply unthinkable.

“Oh, but I am, Annalise Ryan. You wanted the real me, well, now you have me.” Then Seth was back, cupping my face in his hands as he gazed down at me with a huge smile. “But don’t worry. I’ll kiss you again tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that. I’m not screwing this up, babe.”

“How is kissing me on this couch screwing up?” And why wouldn’t he kiss me now? Our lips were so close!

“Kissing leads to touching. And touching leads to sex.”

“I really don’t see the problem here…”

“I utterly refuse that our first time together be anywhere near an army of paparazzi. Not while we’re keyed up in the middle of the night. Not hurried. I’m going to date the fuck out of you, Annalise Ryan. They’ll get their photos but they don’t get our firsts.” Then he pressed a single soft kiss to my lips before letting me go. “Off to bed with you. Roscoe and I will stand guard tonight.”

He actually shooed me into my own room.

I got ready for bed wondering what portal universe I’d slipped into where Seth Butler, thegentleman, slept in the other room.

But then I woke up to a text from Jeri with a video.

This is all over social media this morning. If you don’t fall for him then I might have to revisit my sexual preferences because DAMN!

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