Page 18 of Seized by Love at Seaside
He walked around the counter to put some space between them before he was unable to stop touching her and selected a bottle of wine from the rack.
“I’m glad you like my place. I built this cabin when I first moved to the Cape.” He’d always loved his cabin, and although Sky had been there many times, he’d never brought a woman he was dating home with him.
“But you just bought that lighthouse property. Are you going to move there?”
“When I bought this land, I fell in love with it. It was one of those moments you never forget.”Like the first time I saw you.“I could smell the ocean coming over the ridge and the woods buffered me from the outside world. And when Duke and I went to see Bowers Bluff, I had that same feeling. I knew I wanted to be there.”
He poured them each a glass of wine, and they went into the living room, where she looked over family photographs on the mantel while he queued up a movie.
“So, you’ll move there?” she asked.
He shrugged as he came to her side. “I’m not really sure. When I’m out on the bluff, it stirs another part of me. The part that’s ready to start thinking about the future, having a family someday.”
“Aren’t most guys tryingnotto get tied down?” she asked.
“I’m not most guys.” He drew her in close again, and her eyes darkened as she met his gaze.
“No, you’re definitely not.”
He set their wineglasses on the mantel and lowered his lips to hers, gently covering her mouth and taking her in a slow, drugging kiss. Her lips parted instantly for him, and every stroke of their tongues brought a thrum of desire.
“I love your mouth,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her again. “I’ve dreamed of kissing you for way too long.” He didn’t want to stop kissing her, even as he sealed his lips over hers again, knowing he needed to pull back or he wasn’t going to be capable of honoring his promise. She kissed him hungrily, as if she couldn’t stop either. This was totally unfair. Why did he have to be the good guy? Being the good guy totally sucked.
Tearing his lips from hers, he managed, “I made you a promise.” Lust laced each syllable.
She pressed her hands to his cheeks, went up on her toes, and kissed him again. Her body fell against him, as if she’d lost her balance, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her there, aching to feel every inch of her softness with nothing between them.
“Lizzie,” he warned.
“I know,” she said between kisses.
“Movie.” He forced himself to step back. They were both breathing hard, and he had no doubt that he could sweep her into his arms, carry her into the bedroom, and make sweet love to her all night long. But he’d promised her they’d only kiss, and if Blue was one thing, it was trustworthy.
He moved their wineglasses to the coffee table, and she settled in on the couch. How many times had he envisioned coming home with her, feeling her presence in his home? He slipped off his shoes, then helped her do the same, and as she tucked her feet beside her, he dimmed the lights. The movie started as he sat beside her and pulled her in close again, loving the feel of her against him.
“You haveLove Actually?” She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him with curiosity in her eyes.
“Yeah, don’t tell any of my buddies or I’ll never hear the end of it.” She giggled, and he kissed her again. He knew that bringing her home to watch a movie wasn’t a big, exciting date, but he’d craved time alone with Lizzie for so long, and since he’d never brought a woman home before, it felt like a very big deal to him. And now that he knew how tired she was, he was glad he hadn’t planned a more exciting first date. “You’re dangerously addicting, Lizzie.”
“Don’t go there,” she said softly.
“Why? What’s so bad about my liking you?”
She gazed up at him again. This time her eyes held confusion, and unless he was reading her wrong, a tinge of sadness. “There’s nothing wrong with you liking me. Just don’t get addicted to me. Addictions aren’t safe.”
He kissed her again. “Well, as you said yourself, you’re safe with me. I made a promise, and even if it kills me, I’ll keep it.”
She stifled a yawn and snuggled against him again. “Sorry. I think the late night and the wine are hitting me after all.”
“You can lie down if you want to be more comfortable.” He knew she must be exhausted.
“Why are you so nice to me after I turned you down for so long?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He smiled. “I’m a nice guy. Don’t you know that yet? Do you really think I’d change because you agreed to go out with me?” He pressed his lips to hers again. “I only want to make you happy, make your life better, and be closer to you.”
“That’s actually why I didn’t want to go out with you.” She dropped her eyes, and he lifted her chin so he could see her face.
“Because I’m nice? I’m not that nice. There’s a huge difference between beingbetaand nice, you know.”
