Page 26 of The Grinder

“I think I might like to watch you skate with a few less clothes on.”

She startled a laugh out of him. “You’re a little kinkier than you like to pretend, aren’t you?”

“I never have been before. And I didn’t say I wanted to see you skate naked. That might be…dangerous.”

He shrugged. “Not as much as you might think. And you’d probably be surprised to find out it wouldn’t be the first time.”

She shook her head, her soft laughter raising goosebumps on his skin. “I don’t think anything you could say would surprise me. I have a feeling you haven’t exactly been a saint.”

“Now why would you think that?”

Her smile grew at the teasing tone of his voice. “Let’s just say you kiss like you’ve had lots of practice.”

He wondered if she was put off by that. She didn’t seem to be, but he still hadn’t mastered the art of reading a woman’s mind. Probably never would.

“Is that a problem?”

She slid him a quick glance as she drove away from the arena. “Only if you don’t plan on continuing to kiss me.”

“You only have to ask and I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“Better be careful. Keep giving me whatever I want and I won’t want you to stop.”

At the moment, that wasn’t a problem. Actually, he wasn’t sure that would ever be a problem, which was ridiculous because they’d been on exactly one date. Hell, they could be awful together in bed. She might love Brussels sprouts, which would be a total turnoff. She might grow to hate the game he loved. Been there, done that, had the divorce to prove it.

“Honey, I will give you as much as you want for as long as you want it.”

He thought she’d laugh again. That’s what he’d been going for. Instead, she gave him another one of those looks and another one of those smiles and he had to restrain himself from kissing her.

He knew from last night they’d be at her house in a few minutes and he’d be damned if he did anything to slow them down. But, holy hell, if she didn’t drive faster, he was going to put his foot on the gas pedal himself.

Turns out, he didn’t have to. She gave the car a little more gas, and soon enough she was pulling to a stop in front of her house.

Conversation had died but anticipation had risen with every second.

He held himself in check as she parked the car on the street but jumped out as soon as the car stopped moving and headed for the driver’s door.

She smiled up at him as he reached for her hand to help her out of the car. And she didn’t let go as they walked to the door. Lacing her fingers through his, she held on, moving close enough that he felt her breast brush against his arm.

And holy fuck, who would’ve thought that little bit of contact could make heat flush through his body like a flash fire?

If he wasn’t careful, he’d embarrass the hell out of himself before he even got in the house.

He didn’t want to give up her hand but she needed both to open the front door. He reluctantly released her but as soon as they were both inside, he took her by the shoulders, spun her around, and crowded her back against the door.

He heard her suck in a breath but he didn’t hear any fear. And when he caught and held her gaze, he saw only desire.

She lifted her hands to his shoulders and settled them there, their warm weight setting a match to his already smoldering lust.

Her head dropped back against the door and she stared straight into his eyes.

“Do you want something to drink?”

He shook his head, his hands falling to her waist, caressing the flare of her hips.

Her dark blond eyebrows rose, a tease in the arch. “Not thirsty?”

“No.”

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