Page 59 of Could Have Been Us
“And?”
I kiss her again, giving her the best answer I can. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and she smiles against my lips.
“I like that answer,” she says, her eyes filled with desire.
“Me too.”
“He’s fine?” Stella’s voice is layered with concern.
“He’s fine.”
“So, now what?”
Now, if we were alone, I’d strip every piece of clothing off her and make her scream. But we’re not alone, so I’m going to have to be patient. And by patient, I mean getting her back to my place where I can do just that.
“You get your shoes on, that’s what.”
Chapter 17
Jack
My cabin is exactly eleven minutes and twenty-nine seconds from Stella’s apartment.
We get into the car, smiling at each other. I’ve been waiting for this for years. I’ve dreamed a million fucking dreams about how it would happen. Now it’s here and it’s real.
I start the car, and after I turn onto the main road, Stella leans in, her hand on my thigh. “You know, I’ve wondered about this so many times,” she says, verbalizing my thoughts. “I’ve hoped you’d do just this.”
I shift in my seat, using all my focus not to embarrass myself. “Stella . . .” I warn.
She grins as her hand moves up. “I’ve imagined you coming to my house and telling me you couldn’t stand it anymore.”
“I can’t.”
“That you’d be so . . . overcome with your feelings that you’d toss me over your shoulder, carry me inside, and make love to me for hours.”
She’s trying to kill me.
“I promise, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”
We have one light in this town. One fucking light, and sure enough, it’s red. I push my foot down on the brake harder than I mean to, holding it and the wheel with every ounce of control I have.
Seven more minutes. One long stretch and two turns. That’s all we have left. I can do this. I will not look at her or think about her hand moving a little higher. How her dark hair will look against my pillow or the sweet scent of her perfume as I kiss every inch of her body.
I won’t let myself imagine her laid out like a fucking goddess for me.
I won’t.
Stella leans closer, her lips against my ear. “I want you so much, Jack.” I close my eyes, clamping my jaw shut. “I have loved you for so long that I don’t remember a time when I didn’t.”
The light turns, and I gun it. If Jeremy is out patrolling, he’ll have to follow me to the house and cite me there. Nothing is going to stop me.
Three more minutes.
I start the ascent to my cabin, driving faster than I normally would, but I’ve never been in such a rush to get home.
One more turn.
When her fingers creep higher, I clasp her hand, stopping her from touching me.
