Page 37 of The Flirt

"I'll take you home."

She looked at me in alarm. "No, you stay here and enjoy the evening with your brothers. I'll just grab an Uber."

"I'll take you home," I repeated.

She stood still for a few seconds, closing her eyes, and then murmured, "Okay. I think I can be in a car with you and not maul you." Then she opened her eyes and covered her mouth with her hand. "You didn't hear anything, right? I didn't say that out loud?"

I grinned as my cock twitched in my pants. "I can pretend you didn't say it if it makes you feel better." I leaned in slightly, desperate for more closeness.

"Ah, I just won’t say anything else. Not one word.”

Laughing, I led her through the crowd, keeping my hands on both her shoulders. When we reached the bar, I realized that all five brothers had been eyeing us all this time. Clearly we hadn't been far enough away.

"I know that expression," Anthony said, looking at Scarlett. "Sazerac went right to your head?"

"Yep."

"I'm taking her home," I announced. A ripple of nods went through the group, but again, I had to give them credit, as not one of them said anything. "Then I'll come back and catch up with you."

"Sure," Julian said. I glared at him. He grimaced and said, "Good night, Scarlett."

It only took a couple minutes for the Uber to arrive, and I helped her into the back seat. She wasn't joking—she didn't say one word in the car. I desperately wanted to know what was going through her mind, but I didn't want to pressure her. Was she doubting her promise to herself?

It doesn't matter, Chad. You have a promise of your own. You have Bella and a failed relationship with her mother. Focus on that. Focus on your daughter.

It didn't take long to reach Scarlett’s apartment building. I quickly went over to her side of the vehicle, opening the door and helping her out. Her balance was good, but her eyes were hazy as if she were ready to fall asleep any second.

"Thanks a lot, Chad," she murmured.

"I'm bringing you to your door."

She smiled to herself. "That's also so romantic. Why? Why can't you be some sort of, I don't know, rude and abrasive kind of guy? It would make this so much easier."

I laughed at her comment. "Come on, beautiful. Let's go upstairs."

We went up to the second floor, and when she opened her door, I quickly glanced inside. "This is a studio?" I double-checked.

"Yep. And don't judge."

"I'm not."

"Your tone sounded a bit judgy."

"I'm used to bigger spaces," I confessed.

"So am I, but there weren't too many options that offered a six-month lease.” She turned to face me fully. “Thank you for this evening, Chad. It was amazing. The tour, the bar, meeting your brothers, the dance, the kiss."

"What?" I asked, confused by that last part.

"Speaking too much again." She smiled sheepishly. "I already imagined it, and it was delicious. Your hands were all over me, and—”

I lost it. I stepped inside, moving her deeper into the room and closing the door behind us before crashing my mouth to hers. I couldn't stop kissing her. She tasted like Sazerac and vanilla, and I wanted more. So damn much more.

I pulled back slightly, running the tip of my tongue against the contour of her mouth, and she moaned, adjusting her stance making me wonder if she’d pressed her thighs together. Then I kissed her again, moving my tongue slowly at first, exploring her.

I needed some leverage—a wall, a door, anything. But I knew better than to do that. I had to stop while I was ahead, or I was liable to tear off all her clothes right now. I’d drop to my knees in front of her and make her come on my tongue. I desperately needed her. I was so damn close to losing every thread of self-restraint.

She moaned again, and I pulled back a bit, looking down at her mouth. "You're so fucking gorgeous."

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