Page 23 of Stalker's Valentine

“Is this okay?” she asked, taking her head off my shoulder just a little to turn and glance up at me.

By the time the credits were rolling after the first movie and we were done with dinner, I had felt Scarlett start to relax a little more. When the second movie started, she’d scooched over a little closer to me on the couch. And when the third movie started, she’d rested her head on my shoulder, and I hadn’t dared move. Fuck, if I could have figured out a way to keep living without breathing so I wouldn’t frighten her away, I would have.

“It’s perfect,” I rasped, and she made a face. Her gaze dropped to my hands on my lap before she straightened out her body.

“I’m sorry. I was probably invading your space.” That wasn’t possible, but I was afraid if I said the words out loud, I’d freak her out.

“Not at all.” I cleared my throat.

The night had been fun.

Better than I could have ever imagined.

The pizza was great and the conversation and company even better. I’d known she was incredible, but being in her space, spending time with her? Breathing her air? It was what dreams were made of.

She was sheer perfection.Mine,a voice growled.Kiss her!he taunted. I shifted into the couch trying to subtly adjust the thick bulge in the front of my pants.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had this much fun just hanging out with someone. Not only was she beautiful, but she was smart and funny and quick-witted. The conversation had flowed steadily, though I had a feeling it had a lot to do with the glass of wine we’d enjoyed.

“You look like you wanna run out of here,” she pointed out quietly.

“I do?” My brows rose to my hairline.

“You do.” Scarlett chewed on her bottom lip. “It’s okay if you want to go,” she offered, straightening and scooting away. Not a lot but enough so that our thighs were no longer touching.

“Leave?” I repeated. And that’s when I noticed the uncertainty in her eyes. I’d been so busy trying to fight the need to grab and kiss her that she had somehow misconstrued that to be disinterest.

“It’s okay. I get it.”

“You do? Maybe you should clue me in.”

“I’m just not…” She shrugged, and her eyes dropped from mine. “Sexy,” she blurted out. I chuckled.

“I don’t know what you’re on, but it has to be strong shit for you to think that.”

“No, I’m serious. It’s why you look so… uncomfortable, and you haven’t…”

“I haven’t what?” I rasped, and she didn’t hesitate to answer me.

“Touched me.”

“I’m trying to be a gentleman here, Scarlett.” She blinked. Something about the way her eyes locked with mine, the soft slightly confused expression on her face, broke me. I turned and reached for her, settling her over my lap.

“Merri––“

“It’s our first date, Scar. I don’t want you to feel pressured or––”

“What if I wouldn’t, I mean…” She pressed her lips together before leaning in closer. Her hand rose, and, lord have mercy, her soft touch broke me. No way in hell would I be strong enough to walk away if she asked for more. The problem was I wanted her to get to know me, to feel comfortable around me, because the moment my lips touched hers, it would be my undoing.

End game kind of shit.

“Your stubble is nice,” she whispered. An animalistic purr-like sound vibrated through me.

“Cutie pie, you’re killing me here.”

“I’m not a kid,” she argued. I loved the little pout of her lips I didn’t think she knew she made. Fucking hell, it was adorable. It made me want to flip her over my lap, pull her pants down so I could spank and tease her until she was begging for more.

“I know that.” My jaw clenched. Focusing around her was a bitch.

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