Page 102 of Stealing for Keeps
“Yeah, me too.” I take his hand and squeeze lightly.
He glances at our fingers and then squeezes back.
I stand. “Are you coming back outside?”
“Nah.” He shifts so he’s looking back at the ceiling. “Think I’m gonna chill here for a while.”
I leave him to brood alone and head back out. My smile feels freer as I aim it at Austin. I feel like everything is going to be okay. He’s playing cornhole with Rowan and some other people, but he finds me the second I step outside. Lacey and some of the girls are in the hot tub, and I join them.
For the next couple of hours, Austin and I orbit around each other but don’t interact. Each minute feeds into the anticipation of seeing him later.
When people start heading to bed, my heart rate spikes. I go inside with Lacey, change out of my suit into pj’s, and then wait until she falls asleep.
Getting up, I pad through the house quietly. I have the fleeting thought that I can’t imagine how anyone can sleep right now but then realize it’s only because my heart is racing, and adrenaline spreads through my limbs, making me feel shaky and lightheaded like I’ve had too much caffeine.
Outside, the music is still playing, but there’s no one in sight as I walk around the side of the house and locate the deck. Austin stands on the bottom step.
The wind blows his dark hair, and moonlight dances across his face. He holds out a hand, and I slip mine into it. The stairway leads to a small deck. There is an outdoor couch with black cushions and a glass coffee table in front of it. Lit candles are scattered across the top of it, and there’s a blanket draped over the arm of the couch.
I look at him wide-eyed and jaw dropped. “Did you do this?”
“The candles were already here. I found a lighter in the kitchen.” He looks more bashful than I’ve ever seen him.
My gaze flicks to the bedroom beyond the sliding door of the deck. “Who are you rooming with?”
“Rowan, but he’s down on the dock with Sophie’s friend Amanda, stargazing and finishing off a bottle of whisky. He’ll be occupied for at least another hour.”
“I think you will be too.” I step to him and wrap my arms around his neck.
He guides me over to the couch. He sits and then pulls me onto his lap.
My already tingling body heats further as our bodies lock into place. My knees rest on either side of his hips, and our stomachs press together.
“Wanna stargaze?” He tips his head back just enough to ask the question.
“No.” I press my lips to his. In this moment, the stars feel insignificant. I’m vibrating with so many emotions and feelings. My heart is galloping in my chest and warmth spreads through me. Every part of me wants to fuse our bodies closer, to capture him and this moment and hold on to it forever. Kissing Austin is exciting and thrilling in a way I didn’t know it could be.
He groans into my mouth, pulling me tighter against him. The only sound is the quiet rustling of the wind blowing through the trees and the faint sound of the music. His fingers climb up my rib cage and slip under my T-shirt.
My breaths are ragged when he pulls back again. His green eyes have taken on a darker hue. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I could literally kiss you all night long.”
“But you want to do more?” I ask.
He gives me a look that could easily be interpreted as “Are you serious right now?”
“I haven’t had sex before,” I admit. “Vaughn and I…” Istop myself and give him an apologetic smile for bringing up my ex. “We didn’t.”
His hands settle on the curve of my waist under my shirt, and his gaze locks on my lips. “I didn’t sleep around in Arizona or anything, but I had a girlfriend for a little while.”
White-hot jealousy sweeps through me. I know he didn’t even know me then, but I still hate the idea of him kissing or touching anyone else.
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” he says.
I believe him. I haven’t either. I’m falling for him.Havefallen for him.
“I want more too.” I pull my shirt over my head and drop it to the deck floor, then reach behind me to unhook my bra. Austin’s stare drops to my chest as I pull the material from my body and let it fall on top of my shirt.
“So perfect,” he murmurs. His palms are warm against my cool skin as they return to my waist, and heat curls in my lower stomach.
