Page 60 of Egotistical Jerk
Still in only her underwear, she snatched a piece of clothing from the bed. I had no idea if she was hearing me or not, but I had to forge on.
"It's such a damn cliché, but Mia, I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you, and I was scared that once you had to choose between your job and me, I'd lose."
Inside my chest, my heart started jack-hammering. I took one deep steadying breath and went on. "How could I possibly let you walk out of my life after I'd just found you?"
It was only when she pulled the material over her head that I realized it was my shirt she was wearing. Reaching up to pull the elastic from her hair and undo her braid, she kept her eyes trained on me.
"I know."
"What?" Yeah, I sounded like the world's biggest idiot. Felt like one, too. I spilled my guts, andthat'sall she had to say?
The beginning of a smile touched her lips as she padded across the room to where I was standing. She pressed her palm against my chest. As sure as I could feel the warmth of it seep into my skin, I knew she could feel my heart's wild thundering.
Did she know that it only ever beat like thatfor her?
"It's silly, don't you think?"
My brows dipped low. "What is?"
"Arguing over something that's really…" Her smile spread wide; those dimples I loved out in full force. "Irrelevant."
"Irrelevant?" I echoed like a moron.
"Yes." Her hand swept up my chest and over my shoulder to curl around my neck. I had to shove my balled-up fists into my pockets to keep myself from reaching for her. "It's a waste of emotions to be angry over something that does not affect us here in the present."
She pushed onto her toes bringing our mouths closer together. I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. Gritting my teeth, I stared down at her.
"I'm pretty sure there isn't a job in the world that can make me feel the way you do."
Was she…? I had to be sure. "Mia—"
She shook her head. "I don't want to fight over shoulda, woulda, couldas."
Neither did I. Before I could tell her that, she managed to knock whatever air was left in my lungs right out again.
"I love you."
My head spun; around and around it went. This time when the need to touch her consumed me, I didn't fight. Pulling my hands free, I immediately reached for her. My arms wrapped around her waist.
I closed the little distance between our faces and against her mouth I whispered, "The feeling is mutual."
She blinked a few times, and I wondered if she remembered saying the exact same thing to me after our lunch with Simon and Bridget.
I got my answer when she laughed and shook her head. "Shut up and kiss me."
How could I say no to that?
Gently I pressed my lips to hers, just a touch, a small taste. But I should have known that wouldn't be enough. Not even close. With a groan I swept my tongue into her mouth, claiming, devouring, consuming.
Mia sighed and pushed her fingers into my hair, kissing me back with the same hunger and need coursing through me. My hands dug into her waist when all I wanted to do was slide them under her shirt so I could feel her delicate skin against my palms.
I was so lost in this woman that I didn't even notice her hands had started wandering, not until I felt her flatten her palms against my abs before dragging them lower. With what little strength and sanity I had left, I tore my mouth from hers and curled my fingers around her wrists.
Breathing heavy, I rasped out, "I didn't come here for this."
Tugging out of my grasp, she reached up and cradled my face between her hands. "I know, but I need this—you, us—right now." The muscles in her throat moved with the swallow she worked down. "I don't want to forget. I just want something good and wonderful sprinkled on the bad."
Instead of using my mouth to speak, I lowered it to hers once more. This might've been the last thing on my mind when I came here but I needed it just much as she did. Maybe even more.
