Page 25 of One Hotlanta Night
“No, I’ve got it. I’m fine. I do this all the time by myself.” I laugh weakly.
Michael’s eyes darken and his hand grasps my chin tighter. It should make me feel afraid. He’s clearly stronger and could hurt me. But instead, I feel like he’s safeguarding me. Citrus and the faint hint of bourbon waft over me, remnants of how our mouths were just joined. It’s incredibly unfair of him to smell this good, cologne and sweat creating an intoxicating blend that I want to wrap myself in, and it almost sways my resolve. Part of me hatesmyself for backing off and not letting him finish what we were starting.
“I’m sure you can take care of yourself. But when I’m with you, keeping you safe is my top priority,” he says gruffly, but the words are softened as he rubs his thumb over my cheek. My eyes close of their own accord, and I take a mental snapshot to preserve this moment. A moment where I felt protected, cherished by a stranger that cares about my safety. It only makes him sexier.
As we walk through the doors, his hand finds mine and tangles our fingers together. That’s a boyfriend move in any book, and I don’t quite know what to think. Especially when his thumb runs circles over my knuckles, like merely holding my hand isn’t enough.
“Which way?” he asks, and I point him in the direction of my little red Corolla. I’m still reeling from the kiss and his determination to see me to my car safely.
When we reach the driver’s side door, he waits while I unlock it and then opens the door for me. As I slip into my seat, his hooded eyes stay transfixed to my legs as they swing in. A sharp inhale gets my attention, and he turns away slightly to adjust himself.
His gaze drags up to my eyes, lust and longing and something more in them. Like he’s finally home after a long journey. It’s intense, it’s burning, and I have to look away to keep from being consumed.
“Vivian, I…” His voice falters, his tone strained. He trails his hands down my arms till they reach my hands. His hands are rough but his touch is soft as his thumbs stroke the inside of my wrists. Lifting them up to his cheek, he places a tender kiss on each wrist, then the back of each hand. My skin is branded where his lips touched.
”I’ll be seeing you soon, mi amor,” he says as he takes my hand and presses it over the numbers I’ve inked into his forearm. After letting go of my hands, he closes the door and waits until he hears me lock it.
Wow. Every single nerve ending is on fire. I can barely turn the key in the ignition because of how I’m trembling, but he stands outside the door waiting with arms crossed for me to drive away. Somehow I manage to put my little four-cylinder in drive and slowly roll out the parking lot, Michael’s image in the rearview mirror never wavers until he’s out of sight.
Michael
As I turn back toward the club, I run my tongue over my lips, still tasting her sweetness.
Hot damn, that mouth… I can't get enough of her mouth or how she said my name. I never knew it was possible to feel heaven like this.
I lost my soul and my breath when her lips touched mine.
At that moment, I gave everything to her.
My heart, my life. It’s all hers now.
Shehasto feel it too. Maybe not quite yet, but she will. I know it.
That kiss was everything, and I’m still confused why she broke it off. There’s no way she wasn’t into it. Into me. Her hot little curves responded to my touch. Her tongue danced with mine as it promised to caress her all over. When she pulled away from me, I felt torn in two at the abruptness. The air chilled as I felt her putting up a wall between us.
Don’t know what that was about, but I'm sure as hell not going to let whatever it is stand in the way of me getting my girl.
For a minute I seriously considered hauling her over my shoulder, bringing her home with me and kissing her senseless until she confided in me. But I laid my cards out the entire night, letting her know how I felt and ultimately allowing her to choose how much she wanted to take. Besides, her assertiveness is a turn-on. So whatever the reason she held back, it can wait.
My soul is at peace now that I’ve found her. It’s okay if it takes her a while to catch up.
She’s going to be my future, my everything, and I can't wait to learn everything about her.
Smiling to myself, I stride away, confident that we’ll be seeing each other again soon. Because now that I’ve found her, my woman,my wife, there’s no way I’m letting her go.
Best birthday ever, hands down.
Vivian
the morning after
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bangbangbangbang!
“What the—?” I groan and pull my pillow over my head as Raelynn storms into my room with her favorite toy drum in hand. This girl is headed toward marching band at this rate. I guess I should be grateful she didn’t pick up the trumpet this morning.
“Aunt Viv, I make music!” Her gleeful smile is so radiant this morning. Too radiant. As radiant as the sun. Oh no, she’s pulling the curtains wide open and now I’m jolting awake from both blinding sunlightanda tune that sounds suspiciously like Outkast’s “Bombs Over Baghdad.” Heaven help me, she’ll have great taste in music. If my head lives long enough to see it.
“Raelynn, pleease go do that downstairs. Aunt Viv has a headache!”
