Page 54 of Perfect Imperfections

“Wow.”

“Not so bad, right?” Sullivan said softly, holding her tight.

She turned her head to smile at him.

“Not so bad at all.”

Sullivan stared at her for a moment, his gaze roaming over her face. Seeing what, she had no idea. But a small smile ticked up the corner of his mouth.

“You really are an extraordinary person, Ellie.”

She had no idea what to say to that. Thankfully, he didn’t expect her to say anything. Instead, he leaned in and took her mouth in a soul searing kiss that made her forget she was dozens of feet in the air in a contraption that was broken down and carted back and forth across the country. She dug her nails into his shoulders, not because she was afraid of falling, but because she was afraid if she didn’t alleviate this deep, burning need inside her, she just might explode.

“Hey, lovebirds,” a rough, rude voice interrupted them. “Ride’s over.”

Sullivan pulled away to glare at the ride operator. “Couldn’t let us go another round?”

The large man shrugged. “You should have slipped me a twenty beforehand.”

A twenty? Did people actually do that? She thought it was just something that happened in those Rom Com’s Cam liked to watch. Didn’t matter. What she wanted to do with Sullivan couldn’t be achieved on a rickety Ferris wheel. Not unless they wanted to add risk of death to their date night, and she didn’t.

“Come on,” she said, rising from the seat as the operator unlocked the safety bar. “Let’s go.”

Sullivan followed her lead as she headed out of the fairgrounds and back to his car. The things she wanted would be dangerous on a carnival ride high in the sky. But if she played her cards right, she and Sullivan would be achieving a different kind of high in her bedroom tonight. The kind with no loud music, bad smells, or crowds of people. This high involved only two people and if kissing this man was anything like making love to him, she’d be in the stratosphere by the end of the night.

CHAPTER 20

They drove back to Ellie’s place in relative silence. Sullivan gripped the steering wheel so tight his fingers ached. His body was on fire, every muscle tight and screaming for release. The sexual tension hung like a thick cloud in the car. Choking out all other rational thought. The vision in his mind had tunneled to one thought.

Ellie naked, screaming his name as they drove each other out of their minds with pleasure.

Yeah, that sounded good to him. He thought she was on the same page, but he wouldn’t assume. The moment he stopped this car, he would make sure his intentions were clear and allow her to decide on their next move. As badly as he wanted her, he never wanted to engage in any activity where both parties weren’t one hundred percent on board.

As they pulled up to her complex, the atmosphere in the car was so thick you could cut it with a knife. He turned off the car, getting out to open her door. No matter what happened, he was walking her to her door. The evening could end with a handshake—preferably not. A kiss—yes, please. Or an invitation inside—oh, hell yes! But first, he would make sure she got inside safely. That was just good first date etiquette.

She slipped her hand into his as they entered her apartment building and headed down the hall to her place.

“I had a lovely time tonight, Sullivan.”

“Me too.” And he hoped to continue it.

They stopped in front of her door. Ellie pulled her keys from her small purse, fiddling with the metal objects as she stared down at the ground.

“So, um, is Charlotte waiting up for you?”

Her head tilted up, dark brown eyes peeking at him from under her lashes. His body tightened to the point of pain, but he held it together.

“If I know my brother, she’s passed out on the couch from a candy coma. Probably doesn’t even miss me.”

She smiled. “I find it hard to believe that anyone wouldn’t miss you.”

She’d be wrong. Claire certainly didn’t miss him. He brushed off the negative thought. He didn’t want to think about his ex-wife or her abandonment. Right now, all he wanted to do was take Ellie inside and worship every inch of the creamy soft skin that had been tormenting him the entire evening.

She turned, fitting the key into the lock, and opening the door before turning back to him to ask, “Do you want to come in for some…coffee?”

Lifting his hand, he set his palm against her jaw, cupping her cheek, and rubbing his thumb against the smoothness he found there.

“I would love to come in, but I don’t want any coffee.”

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