Page 96 of Loving the CEO

This train of thought was so bizarre that I could barely believe myself. I very rarely thought further ahead than the next few months, especially when it came to dating. It just wasn't who I was.

Until today, apparently.

"Come on, pretty girl. Let's eat so we can focus on your meteor shower afterward."

"I can't believe I'm getting to share this with you. You’ll love it. I promise."

We ate quickly, splitting the treats in half so we could taste everything. The brownie was our favorite, and I let her have the last bite.

The meteor shower started five minutes later.

"Quick, quick," Tory prodded, hustling to find the right spot on the blanket.

"Babe, I have an idea." I lay down and patted my chest. "Just put your head here."

"You’re a genius." She lay on her back, perpendicular to me, with her head right where I'd pointed.

"See there?" She pointed up at the sky. "Isn't it beautiful?"

I had to give it to her. The whole thing was pretty spectacular even though it was much smaller than I’d envisioned. I thought it would look like fireworks. It kind of did, but very distant. But this was special because it was a natural event.

She sighed, and I took one of her hands and interlaced our fingers. "Happy?"

She brought our hands to her cheek, pressing the back of mine against it. "So very happy," she murmured. "I've never shared anything like this with anyone." Her voice was almost a whisper now. “I mean, I did with Debbie or other girlfriends. There were plenty of people to share my weirdness with in New Orleans. But not anyone I dated."

I was the first man she’d shared this with?Fuck yes.

I couldn't understand how anyone could be with this woman and not cater to her every whim. I wanted to know everything she wanted today, tomorrow, and in life in general—and to make it happen.

It was an urge stronger than anything I'd ever known.

We stayed like that for some time, but the dark gradually turned to pitch-black. Eventually, the candles weren't enough, and we turned on the lights on our phone.

Once the meteor shower was over, I said, "Pretty girl, we should go."

"Yeah. It's a bit creepy at night, isn't it?"

I laughed. "You could put it that way. But don't worry, I'll protect you."

"Oh, I'm not worried about anything when I'm with you," she whispered as we gathered everything.

Fuck yes, that was exactly what I wanted—for her to trust me implicitly.

I kissed her, but only a quick peck on the lips.

"Oh really? Now you're holding back," she teased when I pulled away.

"Let's get you home, Tory. If I give you a real kiss here, we might not leave at all."

"Sexy time in the park, huh? That's a big no for me. Don't want critters all over my body when your cock is inside me."

I was sporting a hard-on. Fucking hell. She hadn't even really talked dirty to me, but I was already on edge. I was now actively fighting myinstincts not to kiss her. My body simply craved Tory. But I managed to behave.

"You want to go to my place tonight?" she asked once we left the garden.

"Sure. Why not?" I preferred staying at my house, just because it was bigger, but Tory's place had its charm too. Besides, she had all her stuff there, and that made her feel at ease.

We gathered everything and set it in the back seat of my car, then climbed in the front. I held Tory’s hand the whole way back to her apartment.

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