Page 40 of The Dallas Dilemma

I straighten and signal to our waiter to bring the check before looking back at Josette and devouring her with my eyes. Her face and neck turn red, but she doesn’t break the eye contact. I lean closer so she can hear my whispered words.

“I want you, too. All of you. But promise me, Josette, if I do anything you’re not ready for or that makes youuncomfortable, you’ll tell me immediately. I won’t be upset or disappointed. I swear.”

She swallows thickly, then nods, murmuring, “I promise.”

I nod back at her, keeping my eyes locked on hers as I hand the waiter my credit card. He takes it and leaves, but still, I hold Josette’s gaze. She’s even more flushed than before and breathing hard, but she doesn’t shy away from my longing stare. She returns it full-force until my cock starts to harden in response.

I toy with the idea of getting a room at this hotel, but quickly discount it. It’s a fifty-minute drive back to our apartment building, but the wait will be worth it. I want Josette to be as comfortable as possible, and being in unfamiliar surroundings would only heighten her unease.

As soon as I sign the receipt, I jump out of my chair and rush around to help her out of hers with exaggerated flourishes. She seems to relax a bit, chuckling at my over-the-top show of chivalry. She laughs even harder when I take her hand and pull her toward the elevator.

When the doors close behind us, and we’re alone, I bend my knees to bring myself closer to her height and nuzzle my nose and lips against the soft skin of her neck. She grips my hair in tight fists, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly against me until we reach the hotel’s lobby.

Releasing her, I take her hand in mine, squeezing it as we walk toward the car. It’s been the best first date I’ve ever had, and hopefully, Josette feels the same.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Joey

The driveback to Grenville is mostly quiet, the air inside the car charged with tension. Thegoodkind of tension. Anticipation. Excitement. The slightest ripple of anxiety laces the feelings, and Dallas must sense it, because his thumb brushes over my knuckles where our hands are joined between us. He does that every time I start to get inside my head, like he can sense it. And every time, it calms me.

I still can’t believe I said what I did about wanting him, but I’m not sorry. It was scary and out of character, but Dallas’ response was freakingperfect. Everything about him seems to be perfect. I’ve never felt so attracted to anyone like this before, and all those kisses we’ve shared over the last week have left me craving more.

When we finally make it back to our apartment building, I’m wound so tight, I might explode when he finally touches me the way I want to be touched. I’ve never felt like this with a man before. Wanted him so badly, I have to rub my thighs together and grit my teeth to stop from moaning.

And his demand that I promise to tell him if he does anything to make me uncomfortable? And swearing he won’t be angry or disappointed? It’s like he’s read my mind and knows exactly what to say to make me comfortable in my own skin.

Once he parks the car in his spot, he tugs on my hand and pulls me closer for a deep, longing kiss. I fall into it, forgetting where we are for a moment, and only come back to my senses when he cuts the kiss off with a few light nibbles.

He’s out of the car and jogging around to my side before I can catch my breath, and the next thing I know, we’re in the elevator. He’s holding my hand tightly, like he’s afraid if he lets go, I might vanish into thin air.

In the hall, Dallas pauses between our two doors. His eyebrows raise, and I realize he’s waiting for me to decide which apartment we go to. I’d prefer mine, where I’ll be most comfortable, but I don’t have any condoms. I haven’t had any use for them for a long while now. Hoping he has at least one, I head toward his place, tugging on the hand that’s still wrapped around mine.

Dallas unlocks his door in a rush and pulls me inside. Kicking it closed, he walks me backward slowly until my back is plastered to the door. As he leans in, I lick my lipsin preparation for his kiss, but he stops just shy of his lips touching mine.

“Are you still sure?” he whispers, his breath ghosting over my mouth.

I nod slightly. “Yes. I’m sure. Now, kiss me.”

He groans, either at my words or my demanding tone, as his mouth melds to mine. A powerful feeling I don’t recognize surges through me. Dallas groans again as his tongue pushes between my lips, and his obvious need stokes my confidence. Lifting my hands, I push my fingers through his hair, gripping it tightly. My tongue chases his back into his mouth, and he moans a third time, gripping my ass with both hands and lifting me. I wrap my legs around him, bringing the bulge in his pants to the exact spot I need to feel it most.

It’s my turn to moan, and Dallas swallows the sound before swinging me away from the door. I cling to him like a baby koala as he walks in the general direction of his bedroom, his mouth still devouring mine and his hands kneading my ass in the most delicious of ways.

He spins again, walking backwards before bumping to a stop. I open my eyes as he edges to the right, and I realize he’d bumped into the doorjamb on his way into the bedroom. One of his hands releases my butt cheek just before the light flicks on, then his hand is back and the room spins around me just before my back hits his mattress.

Dallas hovers over me, his weight braced on his elbows as he continues kissing me like he might die if he stops. I’ve never felt so needed. So desired.

Suddenly, he pulls back to look down at me, his expression serious. “Remember what you promised me.”

I nod.

“Say it,” he says.

“If I feel uncomfortable with anything, I’ll tell you.”

“Immediately,” he reminds me, and I nod again.

“Immediately. I promise,” I say, and he stares into my eyes like he’s searching for the truth in their depths.