Page 80 of Mr. Broody

I lower my voice and lean in closer. “I really want to kiss you right now.”

“I really want you to kiss me right now.” She slides her tongue along her bottom lip.

I feel my dick come to attention in my pants. “Such a tease.”

“Yep.” I love that she doesn’t deny it or play coy games. “Until tomorrow.”

I scour the room and try to think of any excuse I can use to get Jade alone, but there’s nothing we could say that wouldn’t make everyone suspicious. Everyone else is huddled together, whispering. What are they doing?

“Who wants McDonald’s?” I ask.

Bodhi bolts up and runs over. “Me!” He raises his hand.

“We’ll let you guys go,” Conor says. “I’m spent after all that trampoline fun from yesterday and then tonight’s game.”

One by one, they leave, saying their goodbyes.

As I wait for Bodhi and Jade to go first, I run my hand over Jade’s lower back and grab her ass right before opening the door for her to go through. I wish I could celebrate my win by sinking into her, but I’ll have to settle for sharing some fries.

Thirty-Four

Jade

I step into the hotel Henry gave me the address to and see that it’s fancy. Like giant chandeliers, marble floors, doormen, and a reception staff that’s poised and polished kind of fancy.

I read his text again to make sure I go to the right room, heading to the elevators and feeling like an impostor. This isn’t the kind of life I’m accustomed to.

With my nerves rattling like ice cubes in a glass, I step off the elevator on the top floor and follow the signs to the room number he texted me. I knock before I second-guess my decision.

Henry opens the door, and my nerves instantly calm. He’s in jeans and a sweater, no shoes and only his socks. “Hey.”

“The hotel room is a little presumptuous, don’t you think?”

He steps out of the way, and I walk through the doorway, seeing he’s booked a suite. “We’re here so no one sees us and outs us.”

“So, I’m your dirty little secret,” I joke, but his smile falls.

“You don’t think that, do you?”

I shrug off my coat, and he takes it. “Of course not, but I don’t love the hiding if I’m honest.” He opens his mouth, but I put my hand over it. “But I agree it’s necessary.”

He hangs my coat on the back of a chair and breaks the distance between us. Leaning forward, he places his lips on mine, gentle and light, but then his hand cradles my head and his lips press firmer, his tongue sliding into my mouth. It’s not frenzied, but I feel his hunger for me, how he doesn’t want to stop. And I don’t want him to, either.

He doesn’t breach the last few inches to make our bodies flush. Nor does he nudge me against the wall. He just kisses me, and I kiss him back. I love that he’s not looking to strip me down and take me since there’s nothing stopping us right now. Instead, he kisses me as if he needs it to live, as if he’s been waiting all day for this moment, and he’s going to savor the simple act of kissing me. My knees weaken the longer I sink into the kiss. Henry Hensley is one damn good kisser.

“Sorry,” he whispers, his calloused palm running down my neck. “I love your lips.”

I almost say I love you, but that could put a big damper on the evening. “You don’t have to apologize. That was a helluva good welcome.”

He chuckles, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too.”

I’m not sure how we’re going to take this slow—physically or emotionally for that matter.

“Come eat before the food gets cold.” His hand grazes down my arm until he locks my hand with his.

He leads me over to the table where two boxes are set next to one another in front of the giant window looking out over the Chicago skyline. “So, I know you’ve already had the hot dogs, but I took it upon myself to assume you hadn’t had any deep-dish pizza yet?” He cringes. I shake my head, and he blows out a breath. “Good. Spinach garlic still your favorite?”

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