Page 6 of Todd
As they demolished the dessert between them, and her involuntary sounds of pleasure made him shift restlessly in his seat, she leaned closer until her shoulder bumped against his. The contact sent electricity racing along her nerve endings. “I can’t tell you the last time I enjoyed a meal this much,” she admitted, her voice softer and more vulnerable than she’d intended.
His arm had rested casually along the back of her barstool and now tightened around her shoulders in a gentle sideways embrace that felt both protective and possessive. “It’s my absolute pleasure to give this to you.”
She turned to look at him directly, suddenly aware of how close they were sitting. Close enough that she could see the dark blue that surrounded the lighter blue of his irises. Close enough to catch the faint scent of his cologne mixed with something that was purely him. Close enough that it would take barely any movement at all to discover what his lips tasted like. The thought hit her with surprise, especially considering she’d only had two beers over the course of several hours. She couldn’t blame alcohol for the way her pulse had accelerated or the warmth spreading through her chest.
“You want to get out of here?” The words escaped before her rational mind could intercept them, but she felt no desire to take them back. She wanted to grab something for herself. She wanted to feel alive. The worst he could do was decline, and at least she’d know she’d been brave enough to try.
His eyes searched her face with an intensity that made her breath catch. “You sure?”
“Right now, I’ve never been more sure about anything.” The truth of it surprised her even as she spoke. Before he could respond, she added with more boldness than she’d felt in months, “I have a hotel room half a block away.”
Their gazes locked and held, the air between them crackling with possibility. Finally, his lips curved in a smile that made her heart skip several beats. “I’m honored,” he said, sliding off his bar seat and extending his hand to help her down.
She was perfectly capable of managing her own exit, but his old-fashioned chivalry touched something deep inside her that she’d thought was permanently closed off. When she reached forher purse to pay her share, she found he’d already placed his credit card on the bar with decisive finality.
“It’s on me, Sadie.” He shook his head when she started to protest. He continued, “Best meal and company I’ve had in a very long time.”
His sincerity made her throat tight with unexpected emotion. She nodded her acceptance, and within minutes, they were walking out into the mountain evening air.
She was startled to realize the sun had nearly disappeared behind the western peaks, painting the sky in shades of rose and gold. They’d been talking for hours without either of them noticing the passage of time. As they crossed the street toward her hotel, he reached down and laced their fingers together, the simple gesture sending warmth shooting up her arm and straight to her core.
But as they walked the short distance to the hotel entrance, her mind began racing with a familiar anxiety spiral.I really need a shower. When was the last time I shaved my legs? Oh God, please let me shave my underarms. And I definitely have beer breath. And onion breath!
Todd stopped abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk, and she stumbled slightly before his grip on her hand tightened to steady her. Even though she wasn’t particularly short, he still had several inches on her, and she had to tilt her head back to meet his concerned gaze.
“I can practically hear your thoughts racing,” he said gently. “This doesn’t have to happen, Sadie. You’re under absolutely no obligation to me. Not for dinner, not for conversation, and certainly not because I paid the check. If you’re having second thoughts, that’s completely fine.”
Her ability to read people had been second nature during risky situations, and while it might be rusty from months of disuse, she trusted it completely. What she saw in Todd’sexpression was nothing but genuine concern and respect, along with a willingness to walk away if that was what she needed.
Shaking her head slowly, she felt her shoulders relax for the first time since they’d left the restaurant. “My thoughts were racing, but not about you,” she admitted. “I’ve been traveling all day and haven’t even taken a shower yet.” Her shoulders lifted in an embarrassed shrug. “I wasn’t exactly expecting this when I wandered into that bar, so I’m not really prepared. But please don’t take that as me not wanting this.” She met his eyes directly, letting him see the truth in hers. “Honestly, I want this more than you can imagine.” Realizing that sounded like she just wanted sex, she added, “I don’t want our time together to end.”
She wanted to feel alive again, wanted to remember what it was like to be touched with desire, wanted to discover if she was still capable of the kind of passionate intensity that made everything else fade away.
As if he could read the emotions that she was too vulnerable to voice, his smile widened into something that was both tender and decidedly wicked. “Why don’t we start with a shower? I could use one too, and we might as well conserve water.”
A grin curved her lips before a chuckle erupted. “I like a man who has conservation on his mind.”
He threw his head back and laughed with pure delight. “I’ll admit to having a lot more on my mind than conservation, but if environmental responsibility is what it takes to impress you, I’m more than happy to share a shower.”
By the time they reached her hotel room door, Sadie’s entire body was humming with anticipation and nervous energy. Her hands shook slightly as she fumbled with the key card, and she was grateful when Todd steadied her elbow without making her feel incompetent.
The moment the door closed behind them, she turned and stepped close enough that their bodies were almost touching,separated by mere inches that felt electric with possibility. His arms came around her waist as she rose on her toes, and their lips met in a kiss that started gently before deepening into something that made her knees weak.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Todd rested his forehead against hers. “Shower?” He growled the word, and she felt his need as they pressed closer.
She nodded, not trusting her voice, and led him toward the small bathroom. Under the hotel’s harsh fluorescent lighting, she suddenly felt exposed and uncertain, but Todd’s hands were gentle as they found the hem of her travel-wrinkled shirt. She almost grinned as she lifted her arms like a child as he pulled the fabric over her head, leaving her exposed. She never worried about her looks, but she knew her food baby must be showing, since she could feel how tight her jeans were.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured against her ear. The reverence in his voice made her believe it might actually be true.
He stepped back to deal with his clothes, and she slipped out of her jeans. Once they were naked, their gazes roamed, and she shook her head.
“What?” he asked, his brows lowering.
“You… how could you have eaten so much, and your stomach is still flat with defined muscles?” Shaking her head, she laughed as she patted her stomach pooch. “I’m stuffed and it shows!”
He stepped closer, and one hand cupped her cheek as the other drifted over her breasts and down over her stomach. When his lips were a breath away, he said, “Every inch of you is beautiful. Absolutely perfect.”
His lips melded over hers, and she no longer cared about having shaved, her food-baby tummy, or her hair not being brushed. All that mattered was his mouth on hers, their bodies pressed tightly together, and his obvious arousal. Her core nearly wept with desire.
