Page 35 of Needing You

My heart, the one that’d felt dead in my chest for too long and had only recently been revived, threatened to burst with the scene. My son to my right, fitting so perfectly with my family—a part of my family. And Kate, allowing herself to be a part of it too.

I’d never imagined a moment so full and perfect.

Eric stood, and the happy chatter died instantly, all attention turning to him.

“I’m happy to have you all here. Let’s raise a glass to Jackson and Kate joining us tonight.”

“Hear, hear!” Sammy said, clownishly loud, and everyone joined him. Kate blushed and Jackson grinned, happiness vibrating off him.

Eric continued when the outburst calmed. “I also wanted to say that as of tonight, Will is the head chef at Walker’s Brewery.” His eyes cut to mine. “Welcome aboard, Chef.”

* * *

An hour later,after dinner and cupcakes and Jackson’s pleading to stay a little later since he didn’t have to get up as early as Kate did tomorrow morning and Sammy could give him a ride home on his bike, I pulled into the parking lot across from Kate’s place, right next to her car.

She’d somewhat reluctantly agreed Jackson could stay a while longer if he texted her before he left and locked up when he got home. I’d made an excuse about needing to go, too, and asked her if I could come over to talk. She’d agreed, and if anyone made a joke about us leaving at the same time, I didn’t hear it. That might’ve been because as soon as Kate stepped out, I pulled Sammy aside and threatened to hitch his naked body to my car and drag him through the streets if anything happened to Jackson.

Funny enough, he seemed a little hurt that I felt the need to remind him to drive carefully, but my concern was less for Sammy’s feelings and more for Jackson’s safe arrival at home.

So now, here we were, walking across the street, taking the stairs a little faster than normal, me doing my best to keep my hands in my pockets instead of touch her as she fumbled with her keys.

And then we were alone.

Truly alone in her apartment for the first timeever.

“Thank you for coming tonight. It was great having you there.” What a pathetic effort, but I didn’t want to overdo the enthusiasm either.

“Jackson was so happy. I— I wish I’d been able to make that happen a long time ago.” Her gaze found mine, and I couldn’t help but reach for her, twining our fingers together and guiding her closer.

“This was good. We can’t go back, right?”

She nodded. “Right.”

“And what about you? Were you glad you were there?” I thought I’d seen that in her body language and face as the night played out, but I needed to hear it. Yes, she’d said it to the room, but had she meant it? Or was that simply placating the territorial hostess and making nice for the sake of Jackson? Maybe I’d always be a little needy with her, but I felt no shame in asking.

“Yes.” She exhaled sharply, and with a little shake of her head, she said again. “Yes.”

Then it all happened fast. She rose on her toes and pressed her lips to mine, and, ever eager, I responded. I’d been on alert upon entering the apartment and recognizing the opportunity of alone time, but I hadn't dared hope for anything. Maybe a good night kiss.

And that was all this was. Nothing more. Exceptfuck, could she kiss. She opened to me, and I kissed her like we’d burn to ash if we didn’t keep kissing. Her hands ran up my back, then down again, long strokes that felt like goddam heaven and made me groan when combined with the press of her body against me.

I took the same liberty, sliding my hands over her shoulders and down the long line of her spine. Her fingers slipped under my shirt, and the feel of her skin against mine sent a shudder through me. That must’ve done something to her because she pulled back, eyes so filled with lust it made my cock twitch, and guided me to sit on the couch.

Happily, I took the seat, then watched the fantasy that was Kate in that dress straddle my legs and settle on my lap with a strategic grinding against me as she went.

“Oh, fuck,” I said, unable to contain how good she felt or the fact that she’d taken this to the next level. She never would’ve done this before. She’d been into it, but damn, she’d been shy and always wanted me to take the lead.

This? This was a fucking fantasy.

“You’re so—” She kissed along my neck. Her hands mapped over my chest, but then she rose up on her knees just a little, then slid down, grinding over the hard length of me.

“I’m so what?” I breathed as I inched my hands up her dress, reveling in the feel of her bare thighs. As much as I wanted to touch her and make her come, this was our second kiss. So instead of stopping at the apex of her thighs, I continued my progress, sliding over her thighs and cupping her ass, dragging her against me.

“I— What? I don’t know.” She tugged at my shirt aggressively enough that I immediately lifted my arms, and she pulled it off, andshit, this was escalating.

But the hungry way she looked at me, the way she took my hands and placed them on her breasts, the way we both let out groans of satisfaction as my thumbs flicked over her taut nipples through the thin material of her dress and bra… fuck, it felt so right.

“Touch me, Will. Please,” she said, whispering in my ear, sending need and anticipation coursing through me. It wasn’t even dirty talk, but it shot liquid lust straight to my cock, and I prayed I’d keep my shit together, because I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this turned on.

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