Page 60 of Nailing Heat
His admission knocks me for a loop. Just when I think I’ve processed the words, he speaks again. “Youneedme. The rest of the team has a potential need for me. But I’m learning that youdon’t abandon the people that you care for. And I won’t do that again.”
I swallow and swear he can hear it from where he sits. “You care for me?”
“I thought that was obvious. I know I’m hired to take care of you but this,” he gestures between the two of us. “This feels like something completely different.”
“It does, doesn’t it.” I reply.
I wasn’t sure if the feelings that were stirring inside of me had been all one-side or not. I thought he kissed me that night he carried me off the field. Pressed his lips to my forehead and then again when he put me to bed. But on the field I couldn’t be sure. The bedroom was unmistakable, and I lied awake that night for quite a while trying to figure out what all that meant. And why he had done it. Now I know.
“Are you okay over there? You have this weird look on your face.”
“I’m fine. Just processing,” I reply.
He puts my feet down and scoots so that my thighs are in his lap. He’s right in front of me now, illuminated by the soft light of the TV. I like him this close to me.
Dex picks up my hand and intertwines our fingers. “Is this okay? I don’t want to take advantage of my patient.”
I giggle at his phrasing. “I would consider it completely fine if you took advantage of me.” The admission slips out before I can stop it.
From the first moment I saw Dex Langley coming into my space, being forced to live with him, I knew I liked the way he looked. He is an attractive man. The kind that makes you wonder certain things about him, like the size of a certain appendage. The way he moves, the gentle way he carried me off the field told me that this man was something special. Someone who could break down walls that I have long kept up because I was married tosoccer. And the fact that he is located in my apartment doesn’t seem to bother me so much anymore.
Dex slowly moves forward so that our faces are inches apart. “Can I kiss you?”
“Haven’t you already?” I tease.
“Not the way that I want to kiss you,” he admits. “Are you okay with that?
“I’m more than okay with that.”
He closes the distance between us and slowly, tentatively at first, moves his lips to mine. The tentativeness doesn’t last long. His lips are hungrily devouring mine, tongue slowly working to gain access. I open my mouth, allowing him in, and our tongues dance together. My hands move up to the back of his neck to pull him closer to me, running my hands through his hair as a I pull.
Dex’s hands move around to my back so that he’s pulling me closer. I moan against the contact and do what I can to push myself closer to him. The kiss feels like it lasts for hours but it’s not nearly enough. We’re both panting as we pull apart, his forehead leaning on mine..
Dex speaks first. “Wow, that was amazing.”
“Impressive,” I say, winking at him.
“That’s the painkillers talking,” he says, brushing his fingertips down my cheek.
“No, I don’t think so.” I grin at him, pulling back a bit so that I can see him better. “So, you do watch me, huh?” I ask him, remembering back to when he first arrived and how my friends teased me about it.
“Yes.” The honesty in his answer surprises me.
“Why?” It’s the first word to come to my mind, so that is what comes out of my mouth.
“From the first moment I met you, I couldn’t not look at you. Have you looked in the mirror lately, Amelia? You are absolutely breathtaking.”
I flush under his scrutiny. And he speaks again.
“Sorry, I’m not trying to embarrass you. I can’t get over how incredibly beautiful you are, and you have absolutely no idea, which makes you even sexier.”
“Do you practice those lines?” I ask him.
“Trying to make this more flippant than serious, I see.” He calls me on it and that is exactly what I’m doing.
“Maybe,” I admit. “I’m not comfortable with people complimenting me like that. I never have been.”
He nods. “Well, then I guess we have some work to do, while you’re laid up.”
