Page 27 of Time for Change

Outside, the January air is brisk, causing us to move a little faster toward my truck. I don’t miss the way she holds my hand a little tighter, right up to the point she has to release it to climb inside the cab. I take it as a good sign for the night. I know I’ve enjoyed myself more than I anticipated.

We make idle small talk as I drive back to her apartment. I don’t necessarily like the building she’s living in, but I can appreciate her determination and strength. There’s a double lock on the front door, and even though there’s a history of issues from tenants, I wouldn’t consider it unsafe.

Just not where you’d prefer anyone you know to live if they have a choice to go somewhere else.

When I pull into the lot, I start to get a bit nervous. Is she expecting me to kiss her? I sure as hell want to, but does she?

The moment I park, she releases her seat belt and turns to face me. “I really did have a great time tonight.”

Even though I’ve told her already, I add, “I did too.” Tension fills the truck cab, and I’m not so out of touch with dating I recognize it as sexual. Her cheeks are a light shade of pink and her lips are so fucking kissable, it takes every ounce of strength I possess not to just reach for her.

But I’m not that guy. I’m thirty damn years old. I’m not looking for a quick romp in the sheets, despite what Caden thinks I need. The fact remains I like this woman, and quick and meaningless sex isn’t how I want our night to go. That’s why I end up asking, “Can I walk you up?”

If she’s disappointed, she doesn’t show it. She nods and offers a smile, reaching for the handle and opening her door. I’m out and around to the passenger side as she shuts the door and I reach out my hand. I can’t help the wave of happiness I feel when she readily places her hand inside mine.

We walk together up to her second-floor apartment, and the only time I release her hand is when she needs it to unlock the door. Finally, she steps inside and turns to face me. “Well,” she says with a chuckle. “I’d invite you in for a nightcap, but I don’t think I have anything besides water.”

Returning her grin, I lean against the doorjamb with my hands stuffed in my pockets. “You’ve had a long day on your feet. I’ll let you go get some rest.”

Stevie nods. “Thanks again for a great evening.”

“You’re welcome.” I swallow hard and ask, “Is it all right if I call you?”

Her smile is genuine and instant. “I’d really like that.”

“Okay. Great.”

Yeah, I’m so fucking lame.

My eyes drop to her mouth once more, catching her tongue slipping out and wetting her lips. The breath stalls in my throat, because, dammit, I really want to kiss her.

“I want you to kiss me too,” she whispers.

“What?” I ask, my wide eyes pulling from her mouth to her eyes.

Grinning, she shrugs her shoulders and steps forward. “You looked like you were having a big internal battle going on,so I thought I’d just throw that out there. You know…in case you were wondering.”

I swallow my chuckle and confess, “I might have been wondering.”

Placing both of her hands against my chest, she goes up on her tiptoes and whispers, “Good.”

I close my eyes, hold on tight, and kiss this woman.

At first, we’re both a bit hesitant, but then we fall into the kiss. I let my tongue sweep across the seam of her lips, which instantly has her opening for me. My hands remain at a respectable position against her lower back, and I have to fight every instinct I have not to pull her against me and deepen the kiss.

But that’s not how this should go.

Her tongue slides against mine, causing my brain to short-circuit. She slips her hands around my neck, tethering herself to me in the best way. Her lips are soft, and all I want to do is get lost in them for the rest of the night.

But I can’t.

Reluctantly, I pull back.

Stevie clears her throat, her eyes a bit glassy as she says, “That was…wow.”

“Yeah,” I reply, feeling a bit off-kilter at the moment. My mind is whirling, my blood swooshing, and my breathing a bit labored.

All from one kiss.

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