She hesitated and then cleared her throat. “An old friend.”
“Are you fucking him?”
Surprise lit up her face at his crude words, and subtle changes rolled over her features as she studied him for a few seconds. It was a shit question for him to ask, but Link didn’t care.
“No.”
“Do you want to fuck him?”
She moistened her lips and seemed to be considering her answer. “I’m sorry about your grandfather.”
“I don’t want your condolences,” he replied, moving toward her. He didn’t stop until he stood so close, he could count her eyelashes. “I don’t want a ‘welcome back,’ or ‘it’s nice to see you.’ I don’t want to hear how this thing between us won’t work and that it’s not me but you.” He shook his head, focused and intent. “I don’t want any of that.”
Her tongue darted out, and she licked her bottom lip. “Why did you come by, then?”
“It’s been too long, and I needed...” That heat in his gut curled tight as he bent lower. “To do this.”
He slid his hands up either side of her face and held her prisoner. His mouth slid over hers, softly at first, and then with an aggressive need he found hard to deny. He reveled in the feel of her. At her softness. At her scent. At the way she fit against him like she was made for him. That something inside him unfurled and expanded until every inch of Link was on fire and hard and unforgiving. He kissed Elise until she melted into him, until she pulled him closer and kissed him back like she was starving. Until her hands were fisted in his hair and she groaned in that way that could break him. Until he had to pull away or have her on the kitchen table.
They were both breathing heavily at this point, and Link took a step back, raking a hand through the hair at his nape as he took a moment to get his shit together.
“David wanted me to give you a message.”
“What?” she asked, confused, her voice like whiskey over ice.
“Your old pal. He said he wanted you ready for him at four when he picks you up for dinner.”
She said nothing, but watched him warily.
“Elise?” He reached for the door.
“Yes?” Her reply was barely above a whisper.
“He’s not the guy for you, and you know it.”
She opened her mouth, but then closed it without saying a word. As he stared down into her face, something bloomed in his chest. Something hot and fierce that put him on edge. This was the tipping point right here, and he was done playing games.
“When you’re done being scared what the world thinks and worrying about this age thing that bothers you so much, you’ll realize that blokes like your pal David can’t give you want you want. He’s a shade of gray that leaves a bad taste, and you’d be bored of him within weeks, if you aren’t already.” Link shook his head. “And he sure as hell can't give you what you need.”
“And you can?” Her chin shot up as her eyes flashed. Good. He wanted fire in her belly. He wanted his words to linger.
“Yeah. I can.” He stepped outside but didn’t bother to look back. “When you finally figure it out for yourself, you know where I’ll be.”