Her lips were so soft, but hungry as well. She wasn’t content to let me lead the way, her grip tightening to the point of pain, as if I’d tried to get away. Never. I wanted this, slow, soft kisses and long, deep exploratory ones where I got acquainted with every square inch of her mouth, until we were forced to come up for air.

“Food,” I ground out.

“What?”

She seemed to come back to herself, smoothing my hair back down and then blinking up at me.

“We’re getting food,” I insisted.

“Going through the drive through for a burger?” she asked hopefully, right as her body began to move. My dick felt like it was trying to claw itself out of my jeans, because this rocking movement was driving me mad.

“No… No…” I forced myself away from her, holding my hips back as my hands slapped down on the car. “Date, remember?”

“We can pretend to do that when Mum arrives,” she said, trying to draw me back.

“No.” She didn’t realise, but this was the real thing. I wasn’t here for her to scratch an itch with. Jamie was the only girl I wanted, and I had to do this right. “I’m taking you out to a very nice restaurant and getting you… Fuck!”

Her hand slid down the front of my jeans, finding my cock and forcing the denim to mould tightly around it. The coarse fabric wasn’t her, but it was close enough. It throbbed so hard my teeth clamped down, right as I pushed her hand away.

“No.” She grinned at my forceful assertion, the little brat. “Jamie?—”

“We can practise dating later. Right now I want to practise?—”

“I’ll peel every inch of clothing off your body and then lay down, get you riding my face as my hands grip that cute little arse, forcing you down as far as you can go so I can pulse my tongue in and out of your cunt.” Oh, I had her attention now. The smile faded and something darker rose. “I’ll suck your clit until you’re squirming, feeling my beard rubbing all over you until you burst.”

“God, yes, I want that,” she hissed.

“But you have to grab dinner with me first.”

That soft, hazy look in her eyes started to fade as she shot me a not entirely friendly look.

“This pizza better be coated in solid gold or something.”

“Not quite. It’s good and so is…” Moving in like I had a right to, grazing my nose along her neck and hearing her breathing pick up was so damn good. “Anticipation. I’m pretty sure I need to fuel up for what’s to come, and then…” I nuzzled into her ear, feeling her squirm under me. “Dessert.”

“If you’re thinking gelato or something…” she growled.

“I’m thinking you, babe.” I unlocked the door and held it open. “Now get in before I change my mind.”

The sound of the car’s engine, the deep throaty rumble, took on a whole other vibe now. Jamie’s eyes always lit up when she saw my baby, it being a late-model classic I’d restored myself, but now? Her nails raked up and down her thighs as I threw the car in gear, then one hand slid across to rest on mine. That one little gesture heated me up inside. It was sweet, but more importantly, it was possessive, like I was hers and she was mine. I thought about that over and over on the way to the restaurant.

We were given a booth out the back and she went to sit opposite me, but that wouldn’t do. I’d stared at Jamie far too often, but feeling her? My hand found her thigh, her whole body jolting, right as the waiter came over.

Interesting.

“You good with me ordering for you?”

There was a little pause, the waiter leaning slightly closer, but Jamie rallied quickly.

“Um… sure, just no anchovies.”

“Seafood makes you sick.” She blushed slightly when she realised I’d been paying attention far longer than just tonight, but I forged on. I ordered a couple of pizzas and some sides, knowing we’d never get through the lot of it.

“Exactly how much ‘fuel’ are you going to need?” Her question came out a little breathy because my hand slid up higher, my fingers curling around her inner thigh.

“We won’t eat it all,” I assured her, “but I’ll get the leftovers boxed up to go, and later…” My mouth dropped closer to her ear. The place was packed and noisy, but I didn’t want to risk anyone hearing this. “When we’re both exhausted and sated, I’ll drag some food out and feed you to make sure you keep your strength up, ready for the next round.”

This is what I wanted, to feel her vibrate under my hand, to feel her responding to me, but that would never be enough. I had to know how we got here, what led to her agreeing to date three men who’d just been waiting for a chance, so I peered into her eyes.