“That’s because I am crazy!” he yells and then goes silent. He’s breathing heavily, and when he speaks again, his tone is softer, yet still firm. “I’m fucking crazy about you, Emma. You’re mine. My girl, not his, and I can’t stand the thought of you going out with him.”
I sit here in the passenger seat, my heart aflutter because he said the words. Not just in jest but with sincerity, and I know there is no way I can resist him. Hell, at this point, I don’t even want to. I just want him.
“Okay.”
“Please, I—” He stops as my acceptance registers with him. “Okay?”
“Yeah. I won’t go out with him. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I was agreeing to. I was too nervous about asking you inside when we got to my place to tell you I’m ready for that date. The real one.”
“Emma.” He leans over the console and engulfs my face with his big hands. “Say it again.”
“Landon Barker, will you go on a date with me? A real one?”
He doesn’t answer, but instead, his lips press against mine. His tongue glides across my bottom lip and I open for him. He kisses me without reservation, and suddenly our argument is no more. The only thing between us now is passion, and some pent-up sexual frustration, at least on my end.
My hands grip his shirt as I try to pull him closer. I groan when his lips fall away and he rests his forehead against mine. “We can’t do this here. I won’t risk someone seeing you.”
“What is it you think we’re going to do, Barker?” I ask. I’m breathless from his kiss and giddy from this new development, so the teasing aspect of my question is seriously lacking. Not that either one of us mind.
“I’d rather show you.” Sitting back in his seat, he buckles himself in and backs out of the parking lot. As soon as we’re on the road, he reaches over and laces his fingers through mine, placing our combined hands on his thigh while he drives. His grip is firm, yet comforting. Outside, I’m cool, calm, and collected now that I’ve caught my breath from his kisses. On the inside, I’m giddy like the sixteen-year-old me. I’m glad I let Aubrey talk some sense into me. After only one kiss, I know that anytime spent with him, even if it ends in a broken heart, is going to be worth it.
Chapter 14
Landon
I’m supposed to be taking her home, but I’m calling an audible. I want her at my place, in my bed. That’s all I’ve been able to think about, and now it’s going to happen. I don’t ask her if it’s okay. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Besides, the way she returned that kiss told me all I needed to know. She’s in this.
We’re in this.
Finally.
Pulling into my place, I hit the button for the garage and it slowly opens. I pull in, turn off the engine, and shut the door. Lifting her hand to my lips, I kiss her knuckles before pulling away, and climbing out of the SUV. I race to her side and this time she waits for me. Tugging open the door, I offer her my hand as she steps out. As soon as the door is closed, I’m on her. I push her back against the car, and my mouth claims hers. Emma’s hands find their way to the nape of my neck, and her fingers glide through my hair. She’s so tiny, and I need better access. Bending, I lift her into my arms. With my hands on the backs of her thighs, I take her mouth once again.
“Landon,” she breathes as my lips trail down her neck.
I want to fucking devour her, every delectable inch. Instead, I force myself to slow down and pull away. Her green eyes are glassy as she gives me a half smile. I realize that I could be moving us a little fast for her, and I don’t want that. I want her to be in charge, which is a new concept for me when it comes to the opposite sex. I’m learning that everything with Emma is different.
“I know I said I would take you home, but then you said you wanted the date, and we kissed, and well, I just wanted you here. In my home, in my space. I don’t expect anything, just your company,” I ramble. Looks like the asking for forgiveness part of the evening has come around. I’ve done nothing wrong, but I don’t want her to get the wrong impression either. If she asks me to take her home, I will. In fact… “If you’d rather I take you home, we can do that. I just… I really needed you here, in my arms.”
“I was kinda hoping to get more kisses.” She bats her eyelashes and I can’t stop the deep throaty chuckle that escapes my chest if I tried.
“Done.” And since it’s kisses she wants, I press my lips to hers for the third time tonight and take my time tasting her. By the time I’m done, we’re both breathless.
“That’ll do, Number Eighteen. That’ll do,” she says, her head now resting back against my SUV.
“Come on, you.” I tighten my grip on her and carry her inside. Once we’re in the kitchen, I position her on the island. My hands rest on either side of her, caging her in. “You thirsty?”
“No, thank you.”
I’m trying really hard to not drag her off to my room to ravish her. Instead, I stand here, stick still, staring into her big green eyes.
“How about a movie?”
“Movie?” She nods. “That I can do.” Snaking my arms around her, I whisper, “Hold on tight,” as I lift her into my arms and carry her
