Page 36 of Tender Heart
No, Evie.
We arenotcreating a daddy kink.
Crap on a cracker.
I mean, Callumisolder than me. To be fair, age has never bothered me before. Our family has their share of age gap romances. For a while, when I first started writing, it was one of my favorite tropes.
And with him in front of me, I don’t see age. I don’t see older. I see a stoic, grounded man who may have rough edges, but they soften for me. They have begun to...
At least, I think they have?
Maybe that’s the hopeless romantic in me.
Or the fact I’m the only person he’s ever around.
We’ve gottencomfortable.
His head dips, as if too impatient, with the barest hint of restraint. My fingers curl around his jaw before they slip away.
“I need a minute,” I whisper.
His eyes turn darker, desperate almost.
Struggling through the next breath, every inch of my body warms. Even this small distance between us is too far. Callum’s throat works as he runs a hand through his messy hair, his biceps flexing. The doubt, as if worried he misread the signals, flickers through his eyes.
That ghost of an expression steals the last of my air. It creates an ache between my ribs seeing this steadfast, amazing man crumble in the slightest. I can’t take it?—
I eliminate the space between us and pull his face to mine. Automatically, his mouth responds. This time, there isn’t one sliver of indecision. The self-doubt I usually carry around like a set of Gucci luggage falls away instantly. He’s hungry, not gentle. His hands slide under my butt, and I’m hoisted up to his hips. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I let my hands wander through his messed-up, unruly hair.
Nipping my bottom lip, he groans. I open and he plunders his way in, and it makes my head spin. His touch. His body tangled with mine. His taste. Mint and coffee.
Heart slamming in its cage, I push back.
I pant, trying to steady my breaths and my heart rate. His eyes are the darkest blue I’ve ever seen them. That snaps me from this lust-infused moment. “Callum, we shouldn’t.”
His forehead presses to my own as his eyes close. “I know.”
It’s then I feel his hardness beneath me. Hell, my panties are the slickest they’ve been in forever.
I’m not saying the release wouldn’t be worth it. But we have to coexist for months to come. We can’t complicate this. Still, his arms hold me firmly to his body. And I realize I don’t want to be put down. I don’t want him to let go.
Right here, I’m safe. I feel wanted.
Ridiculous as that sounds for a five-minute fling that only consists of one almost kiss and one hot-as-hell, soul-shattering one.
He studies my face. “I’m sorry, I got carried away with your rant and?—”
My fire is what got him all riled up?
Interesting . . . and noted.
I chuckle and lean back, face tilting to the sun. His hands rise behind my shoulder blades. Still keeping me safe. Meeting his gaze when my laughter peters out, I suck in a wobbly breath. The things we’re learning about each other. Some of this feels like I’m giving away parts of me I can’t get back.
Maybe I don’t want them back?
It could be possible.
“You good?” he says, eyes crinkling with amusement and confusion.
