Page 56 of The Pucker and the Princess
He chuckles again, inching closer, though the console’s in the way.
“So you think we’ve basically been dating this whole time, huh?”
I shrug, lifting my free hand so it’s palm up and even with my shoulder. “I mean, we kinda have, don’t you think? We go out for drinks after games. You’ve bought me dinner more times than I can count. You listen to me blab about work and cars and whatever else. You’ve had chocolate and ice cream delivered when you were on the road and found out I was on my period.” He laughs, and I grin. “Honestly, I’ve thought before that if I were going to have a boyfriend again, I couldn’t do better than you.” I meet his eyes as I say the words, holding my breath as I wait for his response.
His smile is dazzling in the low light, nearly bright enough to rival the lights blazing on the side of the gas station. “Really?”
Laughing, I nod. “Really. You’re a fantastic boyfriend, Dozer. You’re kind and thoughtful. You listen. You pay attention. And you make me feel like I’m important to you.”
“Youareimportant to me.”
I squeeze his hand. “You’re important to me too.” I swallow hard again. “I didn’t want to lose you either, but I didn’t see a way to keep being friends when it seemed clear that you didn’t want more and I really, really do. I’ve been lying to myself for weeks that what we have is fine, is all I need, but that kiss …” I shake my head. “That kiss made it clear those were all lies. That Idowant more. And I don’t think I can be satisfied with less.”
“Jesus fuck, I can’t believe you’re saying that. I’ve been wishing for those words ever since we kissed too.” He leans over the console. “Can I kiss you again? And do you promise not to run away this time?”
I smile. “Only if you promise not to be weird after. But also, where would would I go? I don’t even know where we are.”
He chuckles, his breath soft and warm against my face as an invisible string pulls us together. “I promise I won’t be weird after.”
“I promise not to run.”
And then his mouth is on mine again, and it’s the sweetest kiss of my life. His lips are soft and warm, the pressure just right, and I can’t help making a low sound of pleasure in my throat.
That seems to unleash something inside him, and his free hand comes up to rest on my jaw, his lips parting and his tongue darting out to run along the seam of my lips. When I open for him, his hand slides under my hair, cupping the back of my head to hold me in place as he plunders my mouth. I can’t remember ever being kissed so thoroughly in my life.
My free hand goes to his shoulder, trying to pull him closer, pull myself closer to him, something. I hate his truck right now. I hate the stupid console keeping us apart. The steering wheel being in the way so I can’t climb into his lap. The fact that we didn’t do this on his couch that night all those days ago.
When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard, our faces still close together, his hand still cupping the back of my head. “Can we just go back to my place? I’ll take you to get your car tomorrow.”
“Yes.” The word comes out almost a gasp, and he cuts it off by sealing his mouth over mine for one more quick, fierce kiss before he releases me and recenters himself in his seat.
Facing forward, I adjust my seatbelt, glancing over at him as he grips the steering wheel and draws in a deep breath through his nose. “You okay over there?” I ask.
He flashes his teeth at me. “No.” He laughs. “I’m pissed at myself for driving so fucking far from town. Now we gotta get back.”
Chuckling, I reach over the center console and rest my hand on his thigh. “I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Dozer
On the drive back,I’m not content to just sit in the right lane behind whoever’s crawling along on the freeway. Not when Marissa’s sitting next to me, her hand on my thigh, her taste lingering on my tongue, and the knowledge that I’ll get more of that once we make it to my place.
I’m not sure where the night’s going to lead. I know where I hope it might end up, but I’m not going to expect anything. Not when what we have is so new and fragile. In some ways, it doesn’t matter that we’ve been acting like a couple for weeks. This is a new step. And it feels scary and thrilling and unbelievable all at the same time.
The silence stretches between us, and I want to break it, but I don’t know what to say.
“I’ve missed you,” she murmurs quietly after a moment, giving my leg a squeeze before withdrawing her hand.
“I’ve missed you too.” I glance her way before peeling one hand off the steering wheel so I can reach over and caress her leg. I might have to pull it back at some point, but I’m not ready to lose contact so soon. Not when I’ve just barely been given permission to touch her.
Her hand settles on top of mine, layering her fingers between mine, her palm warm and soft against the back of my hand. When I glance at her again, she gives me a soft smile that tells me she’s content.
“How has your week been?” I ask after a few more minutes, needing something.
She sucks in a deep breath. “Okay. Busy. There are always a million things to do at work, of course, so I’ve been spending more time in the office than normal. And when I haven’t been there, I’ve been working on my car.”
“You got the parts in that you ordered?”
