Page 65 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

“Want me to take you home?” he asked in a rough voice.

“I didn’t lie about your dad being at my mom’s place.”

His body tightened. Need almost drove him to kiss her again, but he wouldn’t assume. She could tell him to take her to Tracey’s bed-and-breakfast. “Then where do you want to go?”

“To your house.” Her voice was clear, steady and strong.

Cyril’s heart leaped and desire roared to life. If he took her back to his place, he was going to kiss her again. With no one there, he was going to want to do a hell of lot more than kiss her.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “I can walk a straight line and I know what I’m doing. Take me back to your place.”

twenty-five

Cyril’s place wasn’t what she expected. Since he and his father lived together, she expected a bachelor pad with modern leather furniture, a flat-screen television and dishes in the sink. Instead, the home was decorated in soft earth tones, with comfortable furniture and the fresh scent of lemon filled the air. Everything was spotless and organized.

“Your place is cleaner than my mom’s,” she said after they entered.

“My dad likes to clean. I get it from him. We both try to keep up with things before they get out of hand.”

She dropped her purse on the couch and chuckled. “Your dad is kind of perfect. He cooks, cleans and dotes on my mother. You’re making it hard for me to be against this wedding.”

She meant the words and the three beers had nothing to do with it. After seeing how one phone call threw her mom into a tailspin, she couldn’t help but appreciate that Preston did the exact opposite. He made her mom smile and spoiled her in a way her father never had.

“He was the same way with my mom. Do you want anything to drink?” He pointed over his shoulder in the direction of the kitchen.

Imani patted her stomach. “No, I’m kind of full from the beers earlier.”

He nodded slowly before glancing at the television. “We can watch TV. I’ve got some snacks we can try out if you’re hungry.”

Imani took a few steps closer to Cyril. “I didn’t come here for food.” Her heart beat so fast and heavy in her chest her entire body vibrated.

“I don’t like to assume anything.” His gaze never left hers. The question in his eyes, the need to be sure this was what she wanted, was both a comfort and a turn-on.

She closed the distance between them and trailed a finger down his torso. “So, I’ll be clear, I want to have sex with you.”

His breathing stuttered. She would have believed she’d shocked him if it weren’t for the way his eyes flashed with fire. He was holding back. Respecting the boundaries she set. Taking care of her by holding his own desire in check. She wanted him to let it all loose.

“I know we can’t be together forever. I know our parents would probably be against us doing this. I realize this has the potential to be awkward in the future if we let it. But today, tonight, I don’t care about all of that. I like the way I feel in your arms, and I’d like to feel that way again. That and I haven’t had sex in a while.”

He blinked then grinned and shook his head. “Let’s get to the real reason. You need some.”

She nodded. “And I wanted you from the moment I saw you at the Dairy Bar. Then the mustard mess ruined my chances.”

He placed one hand on her hip. He brushed her lower lip with the thumb of the other hand. “The mustard didn’t ruin your chances. I would’ve still given you a chance.”

“You are such a liar. I saw the look in your eyes. You were pissed off at me.”

“I was pissed that you ruined my shirt before I headed to meet the woman my dad wanted to marry. Other than that, I really wanted to get your number.”

“Meeting my mother was that important?”

“Yes. And if I weren’t in such a hurry that day, I would have laughed it off. Asked you for your name and number.” His fingers trailed from her cheek, along the line of her chin to the pulse pounding at the base of her throat. “And tried to see you again.”

Imani clutched the sides of his shirt, bringing him even closer until his hard body was flush against her curves. “I was just trying to figure out how to have sex with you during my stay in town.”

His eyes widened. “You went straight there, huh? Only saw me as a piece of meat.” The devilish smile pulling at his lips said he wasn’t offended at all by the thought.

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