“It’s still so new.”
“Good new?”
She turns her hand over, curling her fingers through mine. “Wonderful new.”
“I put in your appetizer order,” the server announces, then holds her iPad up. “Do you have any questions about the menu, or would you like to go ahead and order?”
I nod to Clara, and she orders first. The whole time, I watch her mouth move like I’m trying to read her lips. Like they’re telling me a secret and not just ordering a grilled chicken breast with mashed potatoes.
But coming out of Clara’s mouth, it’s poetry.
Once she finishes, her tongue darts out, wetting her lips like she can taste her food already.
I inhale, and my voice is strained when I order. Once the server disappears again, I try to pull myself together. “How’s work?”
Good, safe topic.
“It’s amazing.” Her eyes shine. She tears a piece of bread from the basket and sets it on her plate. “Sidney is great. She’s teaching me so much. The cool thing about the magazine is that it’s national. I get my taste of the world without ever leaving Sunnyville.”
“Best of both worlds.” I pause, trying to hide my frown. “Do you miss living in the city?”
Will you go back? I want to ask but bite my tongue.
Slow. We’re going slow, I remind myself.
She swallows a bite of bread. “I was worried I might, but I don’t. Moving here has felt so right. The familiar places, being close to family, my job—this is where Jacob and I are supposed to be. He’s definitely loving it. The only time he ever even talks about Atlanta anymore is to say it smells better here in comparison. Otherwise, he goes on about his new school and friends.” She glows with pride. There’s a new sense of peace about her, which makes me exhale with relief.
Our server sets our appetizer between us and refills our water glasses. After we thank her, we continue our conversation. Easy and natural. Nothing like the pressure from normal first dates between someone you just met.
“Not to mention, it’s been… nice seeing you again.” She eyes me coyly over the rim of her glass as she takes a sip.
“Nice?” I lean forward, dropping my voice. “You can do better than that.”
“It’s definitely been hot,” she whispers. Her nostrils flare, and she shifts in her seat. I fight my urge to duck under the table to see if she’s squeezing her legs together.
“Your mom’s staying with Jacob tonight?”
She nods slowly, her pink lips teasing.
Enticing.
I grind my teeth. How will I make it through dinner? All I want is to haul her round ass to my bedroom and spend the night exploring her body.
She drives me insane, and I don’t know how I’ll make it.
Our gazes lock, and she watches me like she’s thinking the same thing.
There’s only one thing we can do.
Twenty-Five
Clara
Dax slams me against the wall like he’s trying to tear his whole house down. The few frames rattle near our heads as we move down the short hallway, bumping from wall to wall.
We left dinner in a rush. We asked the server to box up our meals after only a few bites. The way Dax looked at me with his hungry eyes—I knew I couldn’t wait to have him.
I gasp into his mouth, wrapping my legs around his waist. Our lips are locked as he moves us toward his bedroom. He massages my tongue with his like we’re made of honey—stuck together.
One.
He pushes me against his bedroom door. Heavy pants and sexual tension cloud the air around us.
His kisses are feral.
Seductive.
I claw his shoulders, and he tugs my hair while his other arm holds me up around my waist.
He nips at my ear, his hard length obvious through his slacks.
Hot.
My whole body is on fire for him, electricity running through my veins, heating every spot he touches.
I ache for him.
He opens the door behind me, and we rush in. A cold breeze hits me from the fan spinning above us, but I don’t stop. I couldn’t even if I wanted to—not with Dax kissing me, gripping me, like I’m his tether to Earth.
He tosses me onto the bed, his fingers working the buttons on his shirt, his gaze trained between my legs that are spread wide.
For Dax.
This sexy man in front of me, who makes me feel whole and alive.
I need more.
I need him like I need water.
I untie the belt around my dress, my hurried movements matching his.
We discard our clothes to the side with fervor, leaving nothing between us. Hovering over me, he kisses me again as he drags his hand down my body and cups me between my legs.
I squirm.
I moan into his mouth, running my hands through his hair, pulling him closer.
He’s not close enough.
He comes willingly, then stops.
Scooting down, he whispers, “I want to taste you.”
Oh. My. God.
Everything happens in slow, delicious motion.
Dax kisses the valley between my breasts, dragging his tongue down my stomach, then kneels on the floor. He pulls my legs to the edge, his warm hands on my hot skin, and when he’s close to where I need him most, my legs tremble in anticipation.
Then he buries his face between my thighs, and I could burst at just the sight.
I fist the soft sheets, sinking farther into the bed, losing my mind.
He continues gripping my thighs while his tongue licks every sensitive inch of me. He’s relentless. Grunting, he moves his hands to palm my ass as his tongue continues its assault.
Lick.
Suck.
Moan.
My eyes roll into the back of my head.
My fingers ache from holding the sheets so tightly.
My toes curl into his bare shoulders.
Everything he’s doing makes me writhe. Makes me feel like I’m rising out of my body
