Page 40 of Score on You

“Oh. My. Gosh.” I suck in a sharp breath. “This is the latest model. Are you for real?”

“Appears that way.” He flexes his biceps.

My gaze is instantly drawn to him. Another plain shirt stretches across his broad frame. The white fabric does little to conceal his bulk and brawn. His forearms are exposed thanks to the sleeves pushed to his elbows.Ropey veins and colorful tattoos are a distracting combination.

He’s close enough to touch but I don’t dare. Not after he didn’t make a move earlier. I take the safe route and inhale him again. The crisp pine and masculine energy are addictive. My mouth waters as if I can taste him. Warm fuzzies skip in my stomach as I get lost in a daze.

“Callie?”

“Huh?”

A raspy chuckle enters the scene, beckoning my imagination to wade deeper. “Do you want to take a picture?”

“Yes,” I mumble absently. His beauty should be captured and plastered on the wall. But only for me to see. He’s mine now.

Ridge’s amusement rumbles from his chest. “Might want to take the camera out of the box then.”

I blink back to reality. “Oh! Right.”

He points at the Instax Mini. “Now you have one for regular use and can save the other for extra special occasions.”

“You don’t have to buy me things.” Yet I’m undoing the cardboard flap.

“That’s hilarious. I plan to buy you anything your heart desires.”

“What if my heart just wants you to like me?” My breath catches. How did I get so bold?

The lingering hunger is his stare suggests he wants to eat me for breakfast. “You’re selling yourself short, sweetness. I already more than like you, remember?”

“It’s impossible to forget.” The texts from last night play on repeat. “That’s why you’re my boyfriend.”

“Until I get upgraded.” He winks and something clenches inside of me.

Heat blooms in my cheeks. “We just started dating.”

“I’m a patient man,” he reminds.

“But once I’m ready?” For what, I’m still unsure.

“You’ll discover just how obsessive you’ve made me. I’ll be insatiable.” The certainty in his voice is a caress along my most sensitive flesh.

I gasp when my nipples pebble into hardened points. The friction against my bra sparks that unfamiliar heat between my legs. When I press my thighs together, the needy sensation expands. It’s all I can do to trap a moan.

A knowing glint flickers in Ridge’s unwavering stare. He must notice a change in me. Questions flood my mind and I’m desperate to ask for details. But he’s determined to make me wait. I’ll figure out this secret sooner or later. Based on my body’s signals, there’s a new phase approaching.

Rather than extend this awkward tension, I fixate on the camera in my grip. “I can’t believe you did this. Thank you. Again. So many presents and the sun is barely over the horizon. It’s very thoughtful.”

He hangs an arm over the steering wheel, which brings us closer. “That’s a fitting sentiment, since I’m always thinking of you.”

“Holy moly.” I fan my face. “You say the nicest things.”

“Trust me, sweetness. This isn’t my standard setting. There’s plenty of dirt and filth up here too.” He taps his temple. “But that’s reserved for another day. Should we capture the moment before you’re late to work?”

“Yes!” I fumble while putting in the batteries and film. This model is significantly lighter than the antique my mother gave me. The compact build allows me to effortlessly point the lensat the optimal angle. I pause before I press the shutter, peeking over at Ridge. “Are you going to look at the camera?”

“Nope.” His breath fans the flames on my cheek.

I allow my eyelids to slide shut as a smile stretches my lips. “What am I going to do with you?”

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