Page 16 of Pining for You

No kiss goodnight. The promise should make me relax, but it pissed me off for some strange reason. I can’t explain what happened next. All I knew was I stepped toward him until my chest hit his, cupped my hand at the back of his head, and pulled him down to me. And kissed him.

He stiffened, briefly, then his arms engulfed me, drew me against him, his warmth a furnace against the chill spring breeze blowing across the lake. I’d missed this contact, this feeling of longing, of desire. The promise of sex.

A wolf whistle from across the street had him stepping back, but I followed him, my hand dropping from his head to trail down his shoulders, down his arms to catch his hands in mine. “Walk me home then.”

My voice was husky, my invitation unmistakable.

He didn’t question me, simply laced his fingers with mine and followed me.

“Maybe we could do this again sometime?”

“Sure.” I couldn’t resist teasing him. How could I, given that he’d admitted he loved rom-coms? “We could go to that new British-themed restaurant that just opened in Peterborough. They do high teas in the middle of the afternoon with the fancy lazy Susans with the little cookies and sandwiches.”

He stopped, causing me to stop too. He had the weirdest expression. Had I insulted him?

“Pemberley’s Parlour?”

“Yeah, I think that’s what it’s called.”

“That’s owned by my sister Joy. You really need to try her macarons. Though I’m not a fan of the cucumber sandwiches.” He shuddered, though I wasn’t sure if it was an act or real.

What were the odds? “Seriously? Your sister owns it? What is she, a chef?”

“Yes. She’s always been great at cooking.” His smile widened, making the corners of his eyes crinkle. “I got to try out all the various cookies and cakes she serves as she was testing the menu. I’d be happy to take you if you want to go, though fair warning, they show Jane Austen movies during high tea.”

I was still wrapping my head around such a big masculine guy could be related to a Jane Austen fan when I realized we’d reached the two stores that bracketed the door that led to my apartment.

Brad stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets as I unlocked and pushed open the stairwell door. A true gentlemen, not about to pressure me to come in unless I issued another invitation.

I paused in the vestibule, then faced him. “Want to come up?”

The streetlights caught the widening of his eyes. “Are you sure? You can change your mind if you want.”

“I’m sure,” I whispered, before I kissed him again.

He followed me upstairs, waited without speaking while I unlocked my apartment door and ushered him in.

The moment I closed the door and locked the deadbolt, I curled my fingers into his shirt and pulled him against me, walking backward until I was sandwiched between him and the wall. “Right here, right now.”

I’d always wanted to have sex this way but never met a man tall enough or strong enough to handle me. With Brad, I had no doubt he wouldn’t let me down.

Together we dealt with buttons and zippers, before he hoisted me so my legs straddled his hips.

Then he stopped, and swore, something I realized I’d not heard him do yet.

“What’s wrong?”

“Condom.” The word came out in a deep growl that I found so fucking sexy. Then the word made its way through to my sex-addled brain.

Shit, I’d nearly forgotten too. I had some in my bedside that I’d bought shortly after I’d moved here, and used a few out of the box, but who knew if they’d passed their expiration date? He set me on the ground, which allowed my gaze to drift lower and I swallowed hard. I’d wondered if such a tall guy would have a big dick, and I was gratified that Brad didn’t fail to disappoint in the width or girth department. “That’s some prime hardwood you’ve got there, Calhoun.”

He snorted. “That’s not exactly original. As for condoms…” The most charming blush filled his cheeks until they matched the red of his beard. “I always carry one with me just in case. I wasn’t figuring I’d end up here tonight.”

“I don’t care. Get the damned thing on and fuck me.”

His eyes widened, but he reached into his back pocket. While he fumbled with the square package, I lowered myself to my knees to play with the hard length of his dick.

He hitched in a breath when I took the head in my mouth, swirling my tongue around the smooth skin. As I watched him to gauge his reaction, Brad slapped his hands on the wall, bracing himself while I worked my way down his length and slowly withdrew. He scrunched closed his eyes and bit his lip when I increased the suction on my second pass. On the third pass, his arms started shaking, his hips moving to follow my mouth as I withdrew.

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