Page 48 of Forecheck
“If you’re sure…”
“Positive,” I told him. “That part of my life is over. I’d rather focus on the future.”
“The future, huh?” he said, trailing his fingers down my arm and locking our hands together.
I gave him a demure smile and nodded. “Although, I’m quite enjoying right now.”
He leaned close, his stubble rasping against my cheek as he whispered in my ear, “To right now, then.Andour future.”
Ourfuture. Fuck, I loved the sound of that.
When another popular rap song blasted over the crowd, Amara cheered loudly and took off through the throng, presumably in the direction of the dance floor.
“What do you say, Daniels? Wanna dance?”
Did I want this sexy man’s arms wrapped around me as I gave myself to the music for a few hours?
“Fuck yes.”
Brent chuckled darkly and led me toward where Amara had disappeared.
For the next few hours, we lost ourselves on the dance floor. I would never get used to the feeling of Brent’s hands on my body, and I knew when we finally took the next step physically, I’d forever be ruined for other men.
That was just fine with me.
Somehow, even knowing that should freak me out, I wasn’t afraid.
Brent had heartbreak written all over him, yes, but I was past the point of no return. At this stage, I’d gladly let him take a hammer to my heart, and I’dthankhim for it.
He was a once in a lifetime kind of man.
With a minute left until midnight, the DJ cut the music and announced that the fireworks show over the bay would commence as soon as the new year dawned. Brent pulled me close as a mass exodus ensued, hanging us back until most of the crowd had cleared. Amara had disappeared ages ago with a male “friend,” and I knew we wouldn’t be seeing her again tonight. We located our coats and headed out onto the sidewalk.
And when the clock finally struck, and the first firework exploded and lit up the sky, Brent lifted me off my feet and, a breath away from my lips, said, “Happy New Year, Blondie.”
“The first of many, I hope,” I whispered, then kissed him.
It was the kind of kiss that stole the air from my lungs more than the mid-winter chill ever could. The kind that had my toes curling against my shoes, had goosebumps skittering across my skin, had the whole world outside where we connecteddisappearing. I gasped, and Brent’s tongue delved into my mouth. I met every one of his strokes with equal fervor.
“Where are you staying?” I asked, withdrawing and gasping for breath.
“The Holiday Inn,” he replied. As if realizing this was a suggestion that we got out of there, he returned me to my feet and led us down the snow-slick sidewalk.
Once in Brent’s room, the first thing I did was sprawl out on the bed.
“My feet hurt,” I whined.
“I can help with that,” Brent said, moving to the foot of the bed and removing my shoes with aching slowness. I’d never considered my feet to contain erogenous zones, but I’d be damned ifeverywheredidn’t tingle when he put his hands on me, pressing his strong thumbs into my arches and sweeping upward.
“Fuck, that’s good,” I moaned.
“Yeah?” Brent asked, his voice low and husky. I rose to my elbows and stared him down.
“Yeah.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” I said. “As long as you keep doing that, you can do anything you want.”
