Page 41 of All of You

“What are you doing all the way over there?” She crooks a finger, motioning me to her, and gives me what should be a lethal “come hither” look.

“Uh-uh.” I chuckle and interlace my fingers at the nape of my neck. I’m determined to keep my distance. Keep my wits about me. “I thought you said you only had a few minutes.”

“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to get rid of me. You’re going to give me a complex.” She hops off the table and mock pouts, fluttering her ginger eyelashes. “And to think of all the planning and risks I took to pull this off. And what for? You don’t even want me.”

Her words are like a magnet, drawing me to her without any thought as to why I shouldn’t move.

“No way. Never. I want you.” My arms wrap around her waist and pull her to me until not even a slip of paper could come between us. “Always want you.”

“That’s better.” In a move that surprises me, she hooks a leg around my thigh. “I’ve got you where I want you.”

“Tyler, you’re killing me here.” I tip my head back and will my hardening cock down.

She giggles and drops her leg, but luckily she doesn’t attempt to slip out of my grip. Thank fuck for small mercies. Leaning her lower back into my interlocked hands, she separates her upper half from mine, far enough for her fingers to trace the ridges of my chest muscles through my cotton shirt.

Her touch is fire and my skin burns.

“Wren.” The caution in my voice gives her pause, and I lean forward to kiss the tip of her nose. “How’s your day going?”

She exhales on a huff. “Fine. No more kissing. I’ll try to be good. My day’s good. I forgot to tell you, I might end up staying at my dad’s tonight. A bunch of us are meeting at the Grill tonight to plan next week’s fundraiser for Bright Horizons.”

“Really? You heard from the mayor?” It’s only been a few hours since we last spoke, this morning when I slipped out of her bed, and I want all the details. It sounds like a lot has happened since then.

“Nope. Still nothing. But even if we don’t get approval, the program needs funds.” She injects as much optimism as possible into her voice.

Last night, under the covers after making love, sated and sleepy, she admitted how she’s trying to be less anxious about the thunderous silence from the city council on the Bright Horizons program.

I hook an arm around her waist and drag her into my side where she readily rests her head on my chest. My head dips and my mouth nears her ear. “I don’t suppose I could sneak into Pop’s tonight?”

It’s a joke. As much as I want to spend every second with her, I wouldn’t disrespect Pop that way. If I’m staying over, he’s aware of it and I’m walking in through the front door.

Laughing, she shakes her head. “Not a good idea. Sometimes Pop insists I stay over at his place just because. But if I get out of it and can head home, I’ll text you.”

“Sounds good.”

She tilts her head back to look at me and bites her bottom lip in a maddeningly sexy and teasing way.

My dick strains against the front of my jeans, and things get more uncomfortable when she says, voice as warm as sunshine, “Kiss me, Twist.”

Anticipation and excitement whizz through me followed by the buzz of nerves. I want nothing more than to take her here, in the back of my place of business—this is what fantasies are made of—but I can’t.

Dot will be here any minute now.

I barely recognize my voice, coarse and needy. “Fuck.” I press my forehead against hers. “You have to go.”

Those four little words are the hardest I’ve ever had to say.

Wren leaving is the last thing I want.

She solemnly nods and tries to wrestle from my one-arm hold. Before she does, once more, I lean down, lips skating across the shell of her ear. “Make sure you go home tonight. I’ve got plans for you.”

My lips press at the soft spot behind her ear and linger for way longer than is necessary. I can’t get enough of her.

She shivers. A hot flush works its way up her neck and face. Boy, what I’d give to see just how far her blush has spread.

Over her perfect tits?

Her flat stomach?