Page 42 of Where We Found Our Home
“Riiiight. Okay, good night, you two. Happy birthday, Linc!” Sasha scurries away. I don’t even say good night to everyone else. I just rest my hand on the small of Ciara’s back and lead her out.
Ciara clenches her thighs three times during the ride home, and I can imagine how wet she is for me, but I have to let her lead things with us. I can see she’s still hesitant to let me all the way in, so the ball has to be in her court. The sound of Snoh Aalegra’s melodic voice fills the car. The tension in the air is palpable. My hand aches to reach out and graze her thigh. To drive her as crazy as she’s driving me.
I manage to keep my hands to myself, and soon I pull up in front of her apartment building. “I’ll walk you up.” She doesn’t argue as I run around the front of the car and help her out. She’s quiet on the elevator ride up to her floor, and I’m pretty sure our flames are about to be put out.
“Thanks for tonight, Linc. I had fun.”
“Thanks for coming. And for the gift. Can’t tell me shit now.”
She shakes her head and laughs. “Look out, Rick. There’s a new sheriff in town.”
She’s so fucking cute.“You had to make it sound corny.” She laughs with her whole body, and I drown in the sound.
“Good night, Linc. Get home safe.”
“Good night, Angel. Sleep well.” I lean in to kiss her on the cheek, and her breath hitches.
I wait until I hear the click of her lock to turn for the elevator. My self-control is hanging on by a thread. I know she wants me, but I don’t know if that’s enough.
Take a chance with me, Angel. Let’s burn together.
Fuck it.I head back toward her door.
Ciara
What is wrong with me?
I’m about to come out of my skin with want. This war between my head and my heart is about to split me in half, and I don’t think I’ll survive the aftermath.
I’m about to force my legs to carry me through my routine when there’s a knock on my door.
Is he…?
I stop to check the peephole because I will never blindly open a door again, and there he is. He’s too gorgeous for his own good. I want to rip his shirt off and lick each one of his abs.
“I can hear your heart pounding, Angel.” He groans, and I bite my lip at the sound.
I open the door, and he’s standing with both arms up against my doorway, eyes staring into my soul.
“Lincoln.”
“Question time. Don’t think, just answer.”
I nod.
“Am I crazy? For feeling this heat between us?” he rasps.
“No.” I waste no time answering. He looks up at me with a look that flays me wide open. It’s a look of danger and unbridled passion, but also a look of relief. I’ve made him doubt that I want him as much as he wants me. I shouldn’t feel bad about that since it was my plan all along, but I do. I want him—no, I need him—more than I need my next breath, and I feel like shit that I’ve made him feel like he’s alone in this.
“Do you want me to kiss you, Ciara?”
“Yes.” The word has been out of my mouth for half a second before his lips crash into mine. There’s nothing gentle about this kiss. It’s almost punishing, and it’s gloriously painful. He traces his tongue against my bottom lip, and I immediately open for him. I’m matching his intensity stroke for stroke, we’re taking turns giving and taking control, and I swear I could come right here from this kiss alone. I bite his bottom lip, and he groans before pulling away.
“Tell me no, Angel. Tell me to stop, and I’ll leave right now. We can forget it ever happened or we can slow it down. But if you tell me yes—if you tell me you want me—I’m going to carry you to your bedroom and worship your body from head to toe until you scream my name and then I’m going to bury myself so deep inside you, you’ll still feel me there tomorrow.”
Did I say I almost came from that kiss? No, it was right now. This moment.
I’m not strong enough to deny this heat anymore. I want to get lost in him.
