Page 22 of One Little Kiss
Winnie mumbles, and I realize I have a death grip on her head, pressing her to me. Relaxing my hold, she inhales deeply. She releases a small sigh on an exhale, and my chest puffs up with pride. She can sniff all she wants. I’m certainly memorizing everything about her, from the way she smells to the way she feels and sounds. Even as I catalog her to memory, I know I won’t be letting her go.
When my brain works again, I answer her question. “No lap dances in my day job. I work for my family’s company. A lot of boring business meetings, planning, and putting out fires multiple times a day.”
“Yeah? Well, if that doesn’t work out for you, I think you could have a future in performing. Did you call me CC now?”
Brushing the curls back from her face, I wait until she raises her gaze to mine. When she does, my throat goes impossibly dry. I could fall for this girl.
“Only for you, baby. These hips don’t move like that for anyone but you. And yes, my CC, I did. You taste like cherry cola, and it’s my new favorite flavor.”
She very indelicately rolls her eyes, but I keep quiet because her fingers are tracing the outline of my torn shirt and I grind my teeth to keep from saying something stupid. Something like, “I need to fuck you like an animal.”
“You ruined your shirt.”
I shrug because I don’t give a fuck about the custom Armani. “I’ll replace it. The memory is more than worth it.”
Winnie pulls away and slides off my lap. She appears shy, embarrassed, and I can’t have that. I’m standing before she can get lost in that head of hers.
“I would ruin a thousand shirts if it meant I got to see you do that again, sweetheart. You’re my new favorite memory.”
She blushes, but at least she’s smiling.
“This,” she says waving her hands frantically, “is so …”
“Unlike you?”
Her head whips up to find my proud expression waiting for her. “Yeah. I don’t tend to be the fun one. I-I’m a planner. I’m the one who makes sure everyone has a ride home at the end of the night.”
“You take care of everyone.”
“Yeah. It helps me feel safe, I think.”
“You like control, and that’s an admirable way to live, baby. But sometimes? Sometimes it’s okay to give up control to someone you know you can trust. It makes living a hell of a lot more interesting.”
“I trust you?” Her words are a breath above a whisper and asked as a question, like she’s only now realizing she’s comfortable with me.
“And trust doesn’t come easy to you?”
She shakes her head.
“Well, baby, I’m fucking ecstatic that I’m the one you put your trust in.”
She nods. A fake smile is plastered to her face, and I can tell she needs a few minutes alone.
“I’m going to grab my carry-on and go change. I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Mhm. Okay.”
“I think it’s my turn now. Why don’t you pick a movie on Netflix, and we’ll just chill for a bit?”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
I walk toward the restroom, glancing at her frowning face over my shoulder. I may have gotten my kiss, but if I want more with this girl, I need to find a way past her emotional armor. I pause mid-stride.
Is that what I want with her? More? The possibility of more? Scrubbing a hand over my face, I sigh as a frown forms on me, too.
We’re both lost in thought when I return, and we start the movie in silence, but I’d bet money neither of us is paying it any attention.
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