Page 85 of I Knew He Was Trouble
Kelsey steps closer, biting her bottom lip as she looks up at me. “What if I don’t want you to be a gentleman right now?”
“I already told you I’d do anything to see you smile.” I place my free hand on her waist and lean in close enough that I can feel her breath. “What would make you smile, sweetheart?”
She groans impatiently. “Kiss me, Tyler.”
All my restraint goes out the window as she says my name again. I press my lips to hers.
Our movements are more soft and tender this time than the desperate kiss we shared this morning in the closet. My lips move slowly in time against hers as we explore each other.
My hand squeezes the dip of her waist. She runs her fingers through my hair. The gentle way her nails graze my scalp makes me moan.
I pepper featherlight kisses along her neck and jaw before she tugs my mouth back to hers for one more brief, yet longing-filled kiss.
Then Romeo seems to decide he’s had enough of us ignoring him and whimpers loudly.
Kelsey pulls back, laughing. “At least that’s a better interruption than Darla almost walking in on us.”
She’s got that right.
I rest my forehead on hers, not wanting to open my eyes. Not wanting this moment to end. It’s obvious that she feels something more for me…but I’m not sure if she’s anywhere close to where I am. Because I’m falling in love with the beautiful girl in front of me, and I don’t know what I’d do if she didn’t feel the same way.
It would feel like the worst tease in the world to have had a glimpse of what a relationship with her could be like—to have felt something so perfect with her—only to have it ripped from my grasp.
“I love it when you call me Tyler.” I inhale the intoxicating lavender scent of her shampoo, barely able to hold myself back from pressing my lips to hers again.
Her eyes are hooded, making her look as love-drunk as I feel, as she peers up at me with a teasing grin. “Why?” She laughs. “It’s just your name.”
“I’ve always been Frankenstein or Doofenshmirtz or whatever other doctor name you can think of.” I shrug. “But I like how my name sounds coming from your mouth.”
Kelsey blushes. “What else do you like about me?”
“Your eyes.” I gaze into her beautiful hazel irises. “They’re pools of warm honey and caramel that I’d be happy to be stuck in forever.”
“I never took you for a romantic.” Her eyes flutter shut, and her lips part as I graze her jaw with my thumb.
“You haven’t seen anything yet, Anderson.” Her stomach growls, breaking the moment. I smirk. “You hungry?”
She laughs. “Starving.”
“Let’s get you fed, then.”
We finish walking the dogs around the park and drop them off in their kennels.
“I promise I’ll be back to visit you soon.” She places a kiss on Romeo’s head. The dog looks absolutely smitten with her. I wouldn’t be surprised if Winston had a brother soon.
We check out at the front desk, and I drive us about ten minutes down the road. I park in a city lot and open her car door again.
“Where are we eating?” she asks.
“I thought we could do an activity I knew you would love, and then I could take you to my favorite spot for dinner.”
Kelsey lets me take her hand as I lead her down the block to a curbside food truck. I gesture to it with my free hand.
“A burger truck is your favorite dinner spot?” She raises an eyebrow. “You? The man who only eats healthy snacks? Mr. Gym Bro?”
“You won’t be questioning it once you try it.” I squeeze her hand. “Everyone deserves a cheat day. Especially for the best burger and fries in the city.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
