Page 23 of Accepting Love

“I think so.”

“Do you have a bit of agoraphobia?”

I shake my head. “I don’t go out a lot, but it’s not that. It’s that it takes effort for me to wear my adult hat, and you make it impossible. I’m worried I will lose myself in Hannah and rarely see Carolina. I need her. She’s important.”

He strokes my cheeks. “Okay. Thank you for explaining. Who comes forward when you’re playing the piano?”

“Carolina. She plays. Always. But some days I come to that bench Little and walk away Little afterward.”

He nods. “I understand.” He pushes his fingers into my hair and kisses my forehead. “Let’s go home.” He opens the door and helps me in.

I’m not nearly as shocked when he buckles me without a word. That’s his thing. I doubt he’s going to stop doting on me.

He holds my hand on the drive home and lets us into the house. Seconds later, he has me in his arms and his nose is against mine. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all evening. May I?”

I nod. “I’d like that.” I’ve wondered what it would be like to be kissed by him for two years. I’ve dreamed about it. Thought about it. Imagined it. And now it’s really going to happen.

He’s gentle as he lowers his soft lips to mine. He starts with a nibble and gradually applies more pressure.

I lean into him and kiss him back, a soft moan escaping my lips. I think it’s relief. At least I can now check kissing a boy off my list. I’m twenty-five years old. I’ve never been in a situation where I cared for someone to kiss me until now. And I want everything.

I grab the front of his shirt with my fists. I’m sure I’m wrinkling the starched material, but I don’t care. I’d like to see him a bit rumpled. I’d like to run my hands through his hair, but I don’t dare rock this boat.

We’re in a vacuum. The only two people on earth. It’s like we’re in a snow globe and nothing outside can touch us.

Kingston takes his time, eventually licking the seam of my lips. “Open for me, Caro.”

I part my lips and let him slide his tongue into my mouth. He teases my tongue with his, tangling them together, devouring me now as if I’m his last meal.

I press closer to him. My nipples are hard. My panties are wet. I squeeze my legs together. He hasn’t told me I’m not permitted to do so when I’m standing.

When he finally breaks the kiss, we’re both panting. He sets his forehead against mine. His hands are chastely placed on my back, though I kind of wish he would have let them roam.

“You’re mine, Little one.”

I suck in a breath. How can he be so sure?

“Don’t worry. I’ll prove it. You’ll see.” He leans his head back to look me in the eyes better. “Show me your room.”

I bite my lip.

He shakes his head. “That didn’t come out right. I’m not going to make love to you tonight. I just want to see your space. I want to know everything about you. I bet your room will tell me a lot.”

“It will. And it’s currently a disaster because I couldn’t decide what to wear.”

He chuckles. “That’s part of who you are then.”

“Not usually. Just tonight. I mean I’m not going to win any tidy awards, but tonight was the first night I’ve ever tossed a dozen things aside before deciding on this dress,” I confess.

“I like knowing it was important to you.”

“Very.”

“Show me.” He steps back, grabs my hand, and tugs me toward the stairs.

I’m reluctant, but I follow him up the stairs. “End of the hallway. It’s the master suite.”

He heads that direction, but when he pushes the door open, I gasp. The room is spotless. “Shit. Audrey must have cleaned up after me,” I murmur.

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