Page 55 of Stealing for Keeps
I don’t know how to tell her she’s way louder than any white noise.
“Well, I’m here. Safe and sound. Thank you for bringing me home.” She tosses her purse onto the end of her bed and then reaches around behind her back.
“You’re welcome.” I breathe a sigh of relief. “I’ll see you later.”
“Wait. Can you help?” She turns around and lets her arms fall to her sides. “I can’t get the zipper.”
“Yeah.” I take two steps to her. The small zipper runs along her back. My fingers brush against her bare skin as I grab ahold of it. I’m suddenly very aware of how good she smells, how alone we are, and how fast my heart’s beating.
She’s quieter than she’s been since we entered the house, and it’s more unnerving than her stomping around. I step back when the material falls apart and clear my throat.
“Okay.”
She turns to face me, holding her dress to her chest so it doesn’t slip off her. “Thank you.”
“Yep. Get some sleep. I’ll, uh, talk to you later.”
I turn to go, but she moves forward and grabs my arm. “Wait.”
My body vibrates with how much I want her. When I turn, she releases her hold on me, and we stand inches apart, staring at each other.
Reaching forward with one hand, I let my fingertips brush against her thigh.
My brain is yelling,Not the time, asshole, but weeks of being near her, thinking about her, dreaming about touching her, have all led to this moment, and I can’t stop.
We’re both silent as my fingers glide over her smooth skin. Her eyes are locked on mine, and time seems to stand still. I think about kissing her, not for the first or even the hundredth time tonight. She’s so beautiful.
My hand lifts to the side of her face. My knuckles brush against her skin, and I drop my thumb over the bow of her lips. They part, and I slide my thumb to the corner. Her head tips back in clear invitation.
To hell with all the reasons I shouldn’t; the reasons Ishouldfeel far more important right now.
“Austin,” she whispers my name. I don’t know if it’s awarning or a reminder that I’m me and she’s her and that we’re about to cross a very big line.
I’m seconds from leaping over it, really. I don’t just want to kiss her. I want to kiss her until the sun comes up.
I swallow thickly as my heart continues to hammer in my chest. She lets her dress drop to the floor. “I dare you to kiss me.”
My heart jumps in my throat, and all the blood rushes south.
I feel her inhale a breath as my fingers drop lower to the swell of her breasts.
A door creaks open somewhere in the house, but the noise is slow to register. I’m focused on Claire’s perfect pink lips, the way her heart beats in sync with mine, and the smell of cotton candy.
Suddenly, footsteps in the hallway cut through the moment. We both freeze, eyes wide with panic. Claire lets out a yelp and jumps back from me.
“Oh shit.” Her voice is a whisper. She looks around the room, then grabs on to my arm and hauls me backward with her into the closet.
We’re chest-to-chest in the small space. My back is against the shelving, and she presses into me. I don’t know why she’s hiding, but I can’t bring myself to question it out loud. Her body molded against mine feels so good.
“You smell nice,” she says. “You always smell good. Like sunshine in the middle of the forest.”
“I—”
Footsteps continue. I can’t tell if they’re coming closer or not.
“Is it your mom?” I ask.
“Or a ghost,” she says, then starts to giggle.
