A firm grip settles upon my chin, tipping my head up until I’m facing him. The green of his eyes are dark, focused, but I see nothing except gentleness.
“Whatever has your sweet brows clashing like that, stop. Don’t overthink this. We had a date tonight. We talked, we’re getting on the same page. That’s important before we do anything else.”
Same page? I don’t even think we’re reading the same book.
I peer at him, unable to hide my displeasure.
“I have to be on the road early tomorrow for a series of away games,” he reveals, his lips quivering at my grumpiness. “I don’t want to rush our time together, Alia. I like you too much to be done with you in a half hour.”
Mollified, my shoulders finally lower. “I was afraid you changed your mind.”
He snorts. “Nah. Are you changing yours?”
“If I do?” I don’t know why I’m needling him.
“Then I’ll still be your friend.” He says it so easily, like there is no doubt in his mind, that the heaviness in my chest disappears.
“And if I don’t?”
Firm fingers curl around my neck as he drags me into him, his lips flirting with the outer whorls of one ear, making me shiver. His voice drops an octave lower, washing over me like a physical caress.
“Then I’m going to be your friend who fucks you into the mattress so hard, you won’t want to leave it. I’ll show you how many times I’ve wondered how far your blush goes underneath that dress. How you’d taste when I put my mouth on that sweet space between your legs, where you’re hot, wet, and aching. Whether you’ll lose some of your shyness when you’re on edge and begging me for a release.”
How I manage to keep my knees from giving out, I’m not certain. When his head rises to lock eyes with mine, my toes curl at the desire reflected in them. I can’t look away, transfixed by the simmering lust that’s taken residence between us, weaving an invisible web which makes it hard to breathe.
Indecision flickers across his face as he drops his hold and steps back, seemingly taking his leave for the night. A sad whimper rumbles in my throat but, before I have the chance to even blink, his hands cup my face and his mouth lands on mine, hot and hard.
My surprise is muffled when he draws my lower lip between his, suckling it. Grabbing his hair, I pull myself into him, my chest pressing into firm muscles, my heart pattering hard enough I think he might feel it too. Liquid heat darts across my abdomen, settling into the rapidly dampening space between my legs when the tip of his tongue flicks against mine.
I don’t have the power to end this kiss. If I do, I refuse to acknowledge it. My lungs start to burn from oxygen deprivation, but I couldn’t care less. Not when the alternative is losing his touch.
When Cal pops off me with a soft smack, I involuntarily draw in a deep breath. Cool air fills every cavity within me while the heat of his kiss lingers on my lips. His expression gentles as his gaze darts between my eyes and mouth, his thumb stroking the edge of my jaw like he’s savoring each touch. He shakes his head after a lengthy minute and releases me.
“Good night, Tots,” he murmurs roughly, regarding me with a look that sets off a flurry of chaotic flutters in my stomach. He holds the door to the lobby open and tips his head, gesturing for me to move. And as I enter on shaky legs, determined not to look back and reveal how embarrassingly turned on I am, I hear his husky wish as the door slides shut.
“Dream of me.”
Unsurprisingly, I do.
When I wake up, I see two messages Cal sent early in the morning, probably on his flight out.
Hockey Boy:
I’m trying really hard but it’s killing me not to ask…
If you had to rate our date…
Instantly, my body awakens. I’m grinning so wide, my cheeks hurt. Something bright and happy takes root in me. It’s possible he’s joking. But, when I reply, I’m completely honest.
Me:
23.
26
ALIA
Me: