Page 66 of Rowdy Hearts

When she pulled away after only a few seconds, I clenched my hands at my sides so I wouldn’t just grab her. That’d be a dick move, and I didn’t want to be a dick.

“I need to get dressed.”

I bit my tongue so I couldn’t say she didn’t need them. Instead, I nodded.

She turned and headed back to the main bedroom, but not before she sent me a look over her shoulder that made my blood snap, crackle and pop. Fuck, I really hated being the better man and not following her into the bedroom.

“I thought you said brunch wasn’t until eleven?”

Her voice drifted out of the bedroom, and I closed the door behind me before I walked into the sitting room, heading for the couch.

“It isn’t. I’m early.” I thought a few seconds before adding, “I wanted to see you.”

Silence. Okay, maybe I’d shot myself in the foot by being too honest.

“Rowdy?”

“Yeah?”

“Come here.”

I turned to find her standing in the doorway to the bedroom in just a bra and panties. They weren’t lace or silk, just pink cotton that probably covered more than a bikini would. But myheart raced and every nerve ending in my body burned. And the look on her face…

Holy shit. She wasn’t exactly smiling, but she definitely had something good on her mind. And when she crooked a finger at me, I couldn’t get across the room fast enough. I didn’t exactly run, but…

When I reached her, she grabbed the front of my shirt, tightening her fingers in the cotton and dragging me even closer. I had plans to resist. She wanted to control the situation, and I didn’t have an issue with that. In fact, I kinda liked it.

“I’m glad you came by.”

Her lips whispered against mine, and I rethought the whole control issue. Maybe I could just?—

Her lips pressed against mine, her body melding into mine as she kissed me. And yeah, I put my hands on her ass and dragged her even closer, right against the erection that throbbed behind the zipper in my jeans.

If she pulled away, I’d let her go, but damn, she felt so right here. Plastered almost naked against me, every soft curve begging to be touched. Kissing me like she wanted to inhale me.

But just as I was about to lift her up and press her back against the wall, she pulled away. My eyes flew open, and I stared into hers, the blue almost a stormy gray right now.

“Sorry, that was?—”

“Amazing. Don’t apologize.” Though it almost pained me to do it, I released her and stepped back. My momma raised me right. “Let’s just call it a preview for later.”

Her laughter seemed to surprise her. “I thought we had the full show last night?”

“Oh, no, Princess. That was just a taste. Like the spoonful of ice cream you get at the shop. Just makes you want more.”

“So what flavor are you?”

“I guess you have to decide that for yourself. But you’re definitely Birthday Cake.”

Her expression turned confused. “Why Birthday Cake?”

“Because you’re sweet…” I pressed a kiss to her cheek, just to the left of her lips, “and made for a party.”

She got that look again, the one where her lips parted and her eyes widened, and I could tell she was thinking something, but I couldn’t tell what. Then she laughed again, that full-belly sound that eventually led to that delicate snort I found so fucking adorable, but that she obviously felt embarrassed by. Her hand came up to cover her mouth, and she turned away for a second, shaking her head.

“I don’t know what to make of you.”

She sounded genuinely perplexed, but I just shrugged because I’d heard it before.

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