It’s not that I won’t see her again. I think our relationship has evolved nicely enough that she’d voluntarily go to dinner with me—I hope. But I won’t have an opportunity like this again. I have to seize the moment. I’m never one to shy away from a challenge, but when it comes to Rachel, the rules of the game are all new.
“Big plans, then?”
Rachel bites back a smile, then meets my gaze a moment before looking out the windshield. “Maybe.”
I’m about to lose out. It’s now or never. My pride be damned. “Did you want to hang out tonight? If you don’t have other plans, that is.” God, could I sound more pathetic? Maybe I’m an idiot to think I have a chance. I don’t deserve a woman like Rachel, but damn, I want to be the type of man who does. “I’d really like to have dinner with you again.”
Her smile grows even though she doesn’t look away from the city lights rushing by. “I’d really like that too.” The low resonance in her voice is enough to send a thrill down my spine. At the stoplight she turns in her seat, leaning back against the passenger door to run her gaze over my body before meeting my eyes. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
Is Rachel flirting with me? I swear she is. Which means, I not only have a shot, I might’ve won the fucking jackpot. I’d keep on staring, but the light changes from red to green and some asshole honks for me to move. I clear my throat and sneak a few glances.
Her smile and seductive gaze are as captivating as before.
“That depends.” Fuck it. I’m all in. “How dirty do you wanna get?”
Her eyebrows shoot high, and she gives a little laugh. “I’m up for anything.”
Damn. I like this side of Rachel. Assertive. Powerful. Irresistible.
“When we get back to my place, how about you and I change into something a little more comfortable, and we have a night in? I’ll order take-out and open a bottle of wine, and—”
“Yes.” She cuts me off. “But promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“No murder shows.”
“No?” I turn my neck in her direction to steal a quick glance. “I’ll make you a deal.”
“What is it?”
“We stay in tonight.” I pull up to another light, and drop my voice to a seductive whisper. “And you get total control of the remote. All. Weekend. Long.”
Her burst of laughter fills my chest with so much pride, I might actually burst. At the very least, I should be embarrassed by the smile it pushes across my mouth.
“I don’t see how I could ever refuse.” She bites her bottom lip. Something I intend on doing, after I get her naked and in my arms.
The light changes. A horn blares behind us. I can’t even find it in me to care. I don’t move until her answer flies from her painted lips.
“Deal.”
I break every traffic law in a race back to my condo, and the drive that normally takes minutes feels like torturous hours. The tension inside my SUV rises to impossible levels. My heart rate speeds. It takes actual effort to breathe. My dick? It’s hard and aching for every inch of her beautiful body.
We steal glances but don’t say another word, even after I park in the garage and get on the elevator to my floor.
I consider hitting the stop button. Pushing her back against the wall and putting us both out of our misery. But deep down, I know a quick fuck will do nothing to satisfy the longing I have for this woman. When we’re together I want to take my time. I want to learn her body. What turns her on, what makes her come, everything. Even if we never leave my place this weekend, it won’t be enough.
The elevator pings with our arrival. The doors slide open and my heart beats so fiercely it might hammer out of my chest. I reach out to stop the door from closing. “After you.”
Yeah, I selfishly enjoy the view. I’m so captivated, I almost stumble right into her when she stops.
Why is she stopping? Oh, God. Is she having second thoughts?
Rachel turns, her gaze wide. Expectant. “Keys?”
Right. I should get those. But it’s as if time stills and I can’t bring myself to move. Can’t tear my gaze from hers. God. Damn. She’s so fucking perfect.
She drops her stare to my lips. I’m as captivated with hers.
Her chin tilts up. Mine lowers. Closer. Closer. Breaths away. I want her. God, do I want her. But this moment isn’t haphazard or fueled by drunken lust. The draw between us is powerful, as if this kiss alone potentially binds together pieces of our souls. The magnitude of responsibility settles on my shoulders. I’m scared of fucking this up. Of breaking something precious before it’s even begun. But damn, I have to do it anyway. There is nothing I want more than her. Not another million in the bank. Not the new Tesla. Not even peace for humanity, which makes me a selfish bastard. Just this kiss. This moment. Rachel. Her.
She leans into my body, her breasts pressing into my chest, and it’s as if a ding sounds at the contact. I love that she’s as tall as I am with her heels. That we’re eye to eye. An even playing field, and one I can’t wait to explore. My hands wrap around her waist to draw her flush against me. She sighs at the contact. Feeling how much I want her. There is no mistaking my intent. My desire.
This is it. This is happening. Fucking finally, I am going to taste her lips for the first time.
A throats clears from behind us. “Hey, Jude?”
