Page 104 of Here and Now
“He’s part of who you are. If I can’t accept that, I shouldn’t be asking you out.”
Penelope smiles at that. “Are you asking me out?”
“Do you want me to ask?”
I want to ask her to block out every weekend, but I need to use caution.
I step a little closer. “Iasked you first.”
She has to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. “Maybe.”
“That’s not really an answer.” I lift my hand to cup her cheek, and she closes her eyes for a moment. “Do you want me to ask you out?” I repeat my earlier question.
Penelope’s eyes find mine, and I can see the storm rage. “Can I answer you when this date is over?”
“You want this date to keep going?” I ask, even though I really want to push her against the wall and kiss her until she can’t think of a reason to say no.
“I think we could ... for a while.”
I lean into her slowly, waiting for her to push me away. Not that she has before, but I always want her to feel like she can.
“What do you want to do for the rest of the date?” I ask.
She pulls that lower lip between her teeth and places her hands on my chest. “You.”
twenty
Penelope
Ican’t believe I just said that.
Oh my God.
I told him I wanted to do him.
I mean, I do. Ireallydo.
Especially after tonight.
He cares about me, truly cares. He showed up during the storm, took us in without questions. He bought me a freaking tree because he wants me to put down roots. He’s made me laugh, smile, and given me a safe place in all the chaos that is my life. When I don’t see him for a few days, I miss him. When I am around him, I don’t want to leave.
Each day he’s made me fall harder and harder and ... I like him. I trust him, and even if I can’t keep him, we can have each other for a little while.
No other man would ever end the dinner early, take it to go, eat in the car outside my house because I was worried. Then, on top of that, bring Kai on the rest of the date.
Tonight was ... the very last brick I had in defense of caving.
The wall was already crumbling, and I couldn’t stop it if I wanted to.
“Say it again,” Miles urges, his lips hovering over mine.
“I want you.”
Before I can draw breath, he kisses me, a low groan reverberatingfrom his chest. Our lips meld together before the kiss deepens. His hands move to my back, holding me tight against his body, and I hold on to him.
My back is suddenly against the wall, and the contrast to the heat of his body and the coolness of the wall is so striking I can’t help but shiver. His tongue slides against mine, and I drink him in. He kisses me as though I’m giving him air, and it feels as though he’s robbing all of mine.
I want this so much.
