Page 26 of Grind
The walk from the car to the loft starts out fine.
My arm’s around Ava’s waist tight, holding her close. Not as close as I want her, but still good. Until we get upstairs. Her curves press against my body and I can’t wait to explore every one. With my hands, my tongue, my cock.
We’re waiting for the elevator when she turns and looks up at me with those huge green eyes. She reaches up and traces a finger down my cheek, stopping it next to my mouth.
“I love your dimples,” she whispers.
Fuck. Self-control, Doyle. This is no one-night stand.
Then I freeze. What is this? I honestly don’t know, but it’s something. She’s becoming important to me.
I want her. Not just this, but maybe something more.
My feelings and that urge to protect her are getting all mixed up with my very real and mounting desire to have her naked in my bed.
I. Want. Her. That settles over me, hitting me hard.
If we’re going to do this tonight—and I really fucking hope we do—I’m going to do this right.
Blood pounds in my ears, my entire focus narrowing down to just this woman. There’s nothing but her upturned face, that gorgeous body in the little black dress that’s been taunting me all night. She’s fucking perfect.
We push into the elevator, up against the wall. I’m holding onto her like I never want to let her go. She’s going to know she’s safe, she’s going to know she’s beautiful, and she’s going to know that there are good things in the world before this night is over.
Her lips are on mine, and she moans just a little, practically driving me to the edge. My hand’s caught in her hair. Long, gorgeous dark hair. My cock is so hard right now that I have to remember to breathe.
I won’t fuck Ava in the elevator. But my eyes linger on the emergency stop button. Another time, though? Definitely.
The elevator dings, and we practically fall out of it into the hallway. Crossing to my door, it’s all I can do to keep from kicking it open. It swings shut behind me, and I quickly throw the locks. Nobody better interrupt me tonight.
Speaking of which, I grab my phone—which has been vibrating in my pocket nonstop with questions from the manager that’s covering the club and a group text from my brothers—and throw it across the room. She’s mine tonight, and this time is ours. Everything else be damned.
The pulse in my neck is pounding, but I steel myself. Center. Take a deep breath.
“Ava.” My voice is ragged.
“Yes?” She’s breathless herself, looking up at me.
I leave my hands loosely on her waist but pull back so I’m looking at her straight on.
“You are the most beautiful…”
Damn it. That’s not what I meant to say.
“This is heating up really fast, Ava,” I try again. She nods, not breaking eye contact.
“I would never, ever want to do anything you weren’t ready for. Comfortable with.”
Fuck it.
“I want you, but if all you want is dinner, I’m down for that too.” My eyes shift toward the marble island. We could do more than have dinner there.
“We’re on your timetable. I’m ready,”—I look down at my body, which is telegraphing my real thoughts—“willing and able to deliver whatever it is that you want.”
“And if that’s dinner, I’m pretty sure I could make food.”
But I’d rather make her scream my name.
A number of emotions play across her face. Her eyes have a faraway look, her lips slightly parted from desire. Suddenly, she’s very present. Stepping into the gap between our bodies, she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down to kiss her.
