Page 17 of Nights at Seaside
I have a nose that needs kissing, too.
“Hope you had a nice evening, Merlin,” he said as he petted Merlin’s head.
“Cute. Definitely cute. In the very best of ways,” she assured him.
His eyes went dark and seductive as he wrapped his arms around her waist and said, “Thanks for your number.”
She whispered, “Cute,” just to see his reaction.
“I’m going to change your mind about that. You’ll be calling me Hulk-like or Herculean by tomorrow at midnight.”
She went up on her toes and kissed his prickly chin. “Okay, cutie pie.”
“If you weren’t holding your cat, I’d show you just how cute I really am.”
She couldn’t turn and set Merlin inside fast enough. She pulled the door closed so the kitty couldn’t escape and flashed her most challenging grin, which she hoped was at least a little bit sexy, then fisted her hands in his shirt. “Show me.”
“Sky.” As he said her name, he stepped forward, pressing her back to the door.
“Sawyer.” She loved the way his name slid off her tongue.
His rough hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her jaw, heightening her anticipation. “Sweet, sweet summer Sky. What am I going to do with you?” His eyes dropped to her mouth. Shivers of heat rippled through her.
His touch, the sultry look in his eyes, and his potent masculinity swirled together and slithered over her skin. She brought her mouth closer to his.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman,” he said, seconds before claiming her lips in a kiss that sent ecstasy spiraling through her.
She had no hopes of silencing the needful sounds that spilled from her lungs into his. He held her so tightly that her feet left the ground, and as he lifted her, her legs circled his waist. His lips moved south, and he sealed his teeth over her neck.
Her head dropped back, and she sucked in air as sensations bowled her over. It was too much, felt too good.
“More—” The unbidden plea surprised her, but she didn’t care. Everything about tonight had surprised her, and as his hands wandered, she closed her eyes, enjoying every second of being close with him.
When they finally drew apart, she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.
His eyes narrowed as a grin curved his lips. Sky had never known such intensity, such overwhelming passion, and as he set her on her trembling legs and gathered her in close, she was thankful for his strong arms to hold her up. He tipped up her chin with his hand and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
“Sweet dreams, my sweet summer Sky.” He held her hand as she somehow managed to walk inside the apartment, but she didn’t want to let go.
It was crazy, keeping hold of him the way she was. Insane the way she tugged him through the doorframe, leaning against him as she tried to calm her breathing. She didn’t know him well, and yet somehow she felt as though she’d known him a lot longer than a few hours.
“That was…” For the first time in her life, she had no words. Nothing measured up to his sensuous seduction or the longing for more that made her ache for him.
“If you saycute,” he whispered, before kissing her forehead, each cheek, and then the corners of her mouth. “I might have to try to convince you again.”
Before she could say,Stay, he added, “Some other time.”
Disappointment washed through her, surprising her again. What was going on with her? She was like the worst kind of addict.Give me more. No, don’t. Yes, please.It was new, and frightening, and exciting at once. She didn’t understand it, and she didn’t try to. She loved the way he made her feel, and laugh, and the way he spoke from his heart.
“I want to do things right with you, Sky. To date, treat you like you deserve to be treated, before we go further. I really like you, and I’m sorry if I went too far.”
“No. You didn’t,” she said quickly. “I don’t know what came over me. I pushed for more. I taunted you.”
“Sky, I’ve wanted you since the moment our eyes met across the bar. And I’m—”
She found her voiceandher confidence and said, “Don’t you dare apologize, unless you didn’t enjoy being close to me.”
“Didn’t enjoy it? I loved it. I wantmoreof you, not less. It’s taking all of my restraint to leave you tonight.” He reached for her hand. “I came back for your phone number, but part of me—a big part of me—hoped for more. I wanted to touch you. To kiss you.” His voice went low as he stepped in closer. “I wanted to taste you, and, Sky, your sweetness will infiltrate my dreams. But I don’t want you to wake up tomorrow morning and regret what you did tonight.”
