Page 9 of Falling Faster
"I wouldn't miss it." Ty slides his hand up to frame my cheek. The statement is an exhilarating promise of continued time together.
My stumbling nerves over issuing the invitation settle. "Can I kiss you again?"
A smile worthy of a supervillain spreads across Ty's face.He takes a sip of amber liquid. Wet, tempting lips glisten under the lights. Watching me, he traces his tongue over his lips. "What do you think?"
Unable to hold back, I lean in and lick the same path, tasting alcohol and Ty, heady and rich. He winds his arm around my neck and pulls me in close. The kiss deepens, dragging us into a tidal wave of desire.
The fingers tugging in my hair send frissons of pleasure straight to my cock. I push out of my seat, shifting until I stand between Ty's thighs, and give into need, alternating between grabbing fistfuls of that soft shirt and sliding my fingers along exposed stretches of skin. The kiss changes tempo from soft and slow to hard and fast. On a moan, Ty opens for me, letting me take control.
I have another flash of how we'd be together, in a darkened room, with Ty open and giving under my hands. Letting my thoughts wander too far in that direction isn't smart, not with the way our bodies are brushing together, not with how very much I want the man in my arms, and not with how close I already am to the edge.
Swamped in sensations, I slow the pace to savor once more. Ty's nearness is far more intoxicating than any drink we've consumed. After only half a day, the man has become a craving.
A loud group enters the bar, laughing and celebrating, shattering the sexy private world that included only Ty and me. I pull back and smooth Ty's shirt. "It's pretty late. I should get you back to the hotel. We both need some sleep so you're ready for a full day of comic collecting and I can be functional and alert when manning the foundation's booth in the morning."
He takes a final sip of his drink. "Will you be dressed in a costume again?"
"Not tomorrow. I'll just be me, a non-costumed volunteer, handing out pamphlets and telling people about what we do. As for which superheroes will be there, well, I'll let that be a surprise. Maybe you'll come and find me."
Ty stands and tugs me close once again. "Count on it."
Smiling, I fall into another of his addicting kisses.
I want to count on it—badly. But I've been burned before. Just because someone says one thing doesn't mean they won't end up doing another.
Teasing his lips over mine, Ty slowly raises his head. "I already can't wait for tomorrow."
Hope, sometimes so foreign, settles deep in my bones. Far from being a one hit wonder, the magical day we've spent together is just the beginning.
CHAPTER THREE
TY
The clatter of cutlery on plates and murmur of conversations fills the hotel's dining room. Scents of sausage, waffles, and coffee waft from the breakfast buffet. I shovel in my final forkful of eggs and toast and eye my empty cup of coffee. A night of staying up late listening to all the songs I found by Craig and the various bands he'd been in and played with, and then listening to the ones for other artists where he's credited as the songwriter, followed by a few hours of fitful sleep led to a slow-moving morning. Now at ten AM, I'm already close to two hours behind schedule.
After returning to my room, I text Slater and Noah, and make plans to meet them in the lobby. The buzzed, floaty feeling that's nagged me since I rolled out of bed still lingers. Maybe it's due to the alcohol I consumed last night. Maybe it's the lack of sleep. Maybe it's Craig's kisses. Heat rolls through me as I replay each kiss in my mind.
The songs I downloaded last night from his original band, Falling Midnight, are my playlist while I shower, brush my teeth, and dress. I didn't pack anything except casual clothes,but the black T-shirt and gray shorts are fairly new, and hopefully will look good on me.
I make my way to the lobby. No sign of Slater and Noah, so I settle into a plush chair by a wide window. Hopefully, the sunlight streaming in will clear the cobwebs from my mind.
"Hey, bud." Slater claims the seat across from me, clutching a to-go cup of coffee from the shop at the other end of the lobby. "You look happy. How did it go with Craig?"
"Pretty amazing. Where's Noah?"
"Getting a refill on his tea. Now, back to Craig…" Wagging his brows, he gestures for more info. "Go on."
"We had coffee, then dinner, then went to a bar with really interesting architecture. I drew him a sketch. We did a little drinking, a little kissing…" Ears growing hot, I drain the remainder of my brew. "He's a musician, and he invited me, the three of us actually, to watch him perform tonight at a private concert in a club. He's filling in as a favor to a friend. Would you want to go?"
After taking a sip of his coffee, he nods. "Tonight sounds great. We're in. I'll tell Noah."
"Is it stupid for me to go? For me to want to spend time with him?" Worry and uncertainty rise, weaving a twisted vine up my spine. I push my hand through my hair. "I mean, we're only here for the weekend."
Head tilted, Slater regards me for a long moment, like a wise sage in a superhero T-shirt. "For as long as I've known you, you've been busting your ass working two jobs. You're on vacation. You deserve to have fun, especially with someone who makes you happy."
"I've never had a fling before." Admitting that isn't hard, not to Slater. The hulking hockey player might be a tough guy on the ice, but he's a gentle giant and a supportive friend.
His blue eyes are as kind as his smile. "Sometimes, it'sgood to just take the leap. Don't worry so much or overthink. Do what makes you happy. Yes or no, if you don't see him, will you regret it?"
