Page 37 of Whiskey Darling
With his hands locked in the small of my back, Flynn keeps me prisoner, but I’m okay with it. I like it. Being held so tight. My blouse’s neckline gaps open with the embrace. I’m self-conscious about it but don’t feel the need to conceal myself.
“Stalker.” I wrinkle my nose, teasing him. “I read a lot. Watch movies. Research places that don’t carry your whiskey. I want to see the patrons, see what they drink. So, weekends are sometimes work. Well, mostly work. My boss is very demanding.”
Flynn snorts in laughter. “You have no idea how bossy he can be, Miss Darling. But I trust you aren’t going to these places alone, are you?”
“I’m careful and don’t go out late. It’s work, Flynn. Not socializing. Not partying. I take it very seriously.”
He frowns. “I’ll go with you from now on.”
I don’t remark how that might resemble a date, further blurring the lines being erased between us.
“I admit my social life is pretty boring,” Flynn continues. “I read a lot, too. Watch movies. Classics, mostly.”
“Like, guy movie classics? Let me guess.Smokey and the Bandit.Old School.Dumb and Dumber.”
“Smartass.” He slaps my rear end, chuckling at my choked squeal. “More along the lines ofCasablanca.”
“Never seen it.”
“Okay.From Here to Eternity?True Grit? The real one with John Wayne?”
“Nope and nope.” I grin. “You know I’m almost twenty-five, not ninety-five, right?”
A frown creases his brow. “Damn. We’ve got an emergency here.” Grabbing my hand, he leads me from the kitchen. “Good thing neither of us has plans for the next couple of days. I’m going to educate you on the finer points of film classics.” A mischievous wink accompanies his next statement. “After that, we’ll move onto an education of a different sort.”
* * *
We spendthe rest of the weekend watching old movies, swimming in the pool, and making love.
Flynn is a force of nature, breaking down what little remains of my defenses. I quickly become addicted to the lessons on what pleases him.
He is patient but demanding. Tender and brutal. Single-minded yet generous. His caresses bring me to the heights of lust, forcing me to ride the edge before plummeting into bliss. Then, he lies back like a king, eyes glittering brighter than diamonds while I eagerly pleasure him.
The side he’s kept hidden during the past two months surprises me more than anything else. His humor is razor-sharp and clever. There are moments he has me laughing to the point of tears. If I don’t giggle at his jokes, he tickles me until I shriek for mercy.
This unexpected playfulness entrances me. I fight off the odd pang in my heart. I’m falling in love with him, which is impossible, considering the temporary nature of our relationship.
If one can even considerthisa relationship.
Late Sunday evening finds us by the firepit terrace. Curled in the circle of his arms, I have that vague recollection of being here Friday night before everything went black. I push it aside while staring into the flames.
“I don’t want this weekend to end.” Flynn kisses my temple. “Don’t go back to the cottage tonight, Allie.”
Tilting my head, I stare at him in bewilderment. I did not expect to hear those words from his mouth.
“Rose will be here in the morning. And Frankie will pick me up as usual. It won’t look very professional if I come strolling out of the boss’s house.”
“I don’t care about that,” he growls.
“But I do,” I return softly. “You understand why, don’t you, Flynn?”
He’s silent for a long moment before conceding roughly, “Yes, but I still want you to stay. I didn’t think I would, but I do.” Lifting a lock of my hair, he watches it wrap around his finger then tugs so gently I melt like ice on a Nashville summer day.
“I’ll stay as long as I can,” I promise, turning in his arms so my mouth is angled under his.
His laugh is harsh before he claims my lips with a fierce possessiveness.
“It won’t be long enough. It’ll never be enough.”
