Page 38 of Coming Up Roses

The heaviness of the air around us dissipates a little when our server drops our check. After settling up, I help Myla from her seat, and once again pressing a hand to the small of her back, I guide her to the truck.

I help her in this time, and even though she protests, I know she likes my chivalry. Her lopsided smile is a dead giveaway.

I decide to push my luck and secure her seat belt for her as well. Her breath hitches when my shoulder brushes her chest, and I swear I even felt her nipples harden. All of these little sounds and touches have me wound tight—so tight that I fear I might explode.

* * *

"Dinner was amazing, Cash,"she tells me as I turn down her driveway. “Thank you so much for taking me." Why the fuck is she thanking me?

"No need to thank me, darlin'. I had a good time too," I tell her, throwing my truck into park.

"Okay, then. I guess . . . um . . . I'll see you around then?" She makes for the door handle, and I reach across the console to stop her.

"Hey! What did I tell you earlier?" I scold before heading around to open her door. "C'mon, I'll walk you."

She grasps my hand, and like an instant replay from dinner, her body slides down mine. The contact is somehow more intimate than it was earlier, making her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink, only noticeable due to the moonlight peeking through the branches of the oak tree in her yard.

"Okay, Cash." Her voice is nothing more than a rasp.

We make it to the porch, and the inner battle begins. Is she expecting a kiss, or will she slap me for trying, what with how our last kiss ended? I war with myself a little longer before settling on a hug. A nice, safe hug.

"Well, goodnight then," she whispers, looking down as I start to pull away.

Is that disappointment I hear in her voice? Well, hell. I can’t have that.

Keeping my right arm around her waist, I bring my left hand to her cheek, placing my thumb just below her jaw. Using that position, I pull her closer to me.

"It was a good night indeed, Myla Rose," I murmur just before I press my lips to hers.

Her lips are soft, so damn soft, even more so than I remember. I nip at her bottom lip, causing her lips to part. I use that small opening to deepen the kiss, and Myla Rose digs her nails into the base of my neck.

Slipping my hand from her waist and down over the curve of her hip, I hike her dress up and settle it on the smooth bare skin just under her ass, pulling her closer—closer—closer. Trailing my fingertips across her cheek and through her hair, I tug on it just a little, just like I’d imagined doing at the start of our night.

Damn, she likes that. It's like I flipped a switch. She's no longer kissing me—she’s devouring me.

I hoist her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist. The front door is the only thing keeping us upright. I press my hips into hers, showing her just how much I want her before pulling her hair again. She throws her head back, hitting it on the door with a loud thump.

That breaks the spell. She lowers her legs and untangles herself from me, and I step back, unsure of what comes next. Is she going to ask me in or send me on my way?

"Do . . . do you want to come in?" She looks up at me expectantly.

"Lead the way, darlin'," I rasp out—because really, is there any other response?

She slides her key into the lock, and I follow her inside. "Do you want some coffee or tea?"

"No, I just want you." I settle myself into the same over-stuffed loveseat as before.

"Well, I need a drink of water—be right back."

While she's gone, I check my phone. A text from Jake and a few work emails, nothing that can't wait until later. I set my phone, keys, and wallet on the coffee table and wait for Myla Rose to return.

She approaches me hesitantly, as if she's now the one who's unsure of what comes next. I reach out and take her hands into mine and pull her closer so that she's standing between my legs.

"Don't be nervous, darlin'. I just wanna spend time with you, and I'm damn sure okay with it being on your terms." Just like that, she's relaxed and at ease.

I pull her closer still, causing her to tumble down onto my lap. I take full advantage of our new position and kiss my way up her neck before whispering in her ear, "This okay, darlin'?"

She squirms around on my lap a bit but nods. I know she can feel just how much I want her, so I press my hips up into hers. She gasps, and I shift her around so that she's straddling me before kissing my way back down her neck, peppering little open-mouth kisses along her collarbone.

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