My breathing hitches at the thought, and his eyes seem to darken, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking about. I’m not sure who moves first, but I’m quickly wrapped in his arms, his lips devouring mine. My hands thread into his hair, the strands a touch too long and feel so good between my fingers.
Matthew grips the back of my blouse and pulls me flush against his body. It’s hard—so hard—and makes me want to climb him like a tree. Even with the height difference, being in his arms is comfortable. Right.
He deepens the kiss, the taste of beer on his tongue. As he slightly adjusts the angle of the kiss, I feel the burn of his stubble against my cheeks and the warmth of wetness flooding the apex of my legs. He leads expertly, and I realize, I’d follow him anywhere if it meant more kisses like this.
His large hands slowly make their way down my lower back to my rear. He manages to grip and lift at the same time, without so much as the slightest break in our connection. When I’m sitting on the kitchen counter, my knees fall open and he steps between them, filling the space with his body. I can feel his erection hard and ready, pressed firmly against the place I need him most.
I gasp, ripping my lips from his and sucking in a huge gulp of air. He uses the break to skim his lips across my jaw and down my neck. My head falls back, granting him complete access, as I close my eyes and just revel in the feel of his warm, wet lips against my sensitive skin.
“I could kiss you all day, every day,” he whispers, his breath tickling my collarbone.
“That would make it very hard to get any sort of work done,” I tease, even though the idea seems rather inviting.
“It would be a sacrifice, but one I’m willing to make,” he states with a smile in his voice.
I wrap my arms around his neck and just hold on tight. Matthew’s arms move to my waist as he does the same, the hug seeming to be exactly what we need to help calm our racing heartbeats.
After several minutes of just holding each other close, he finally sighs and says, “I should head home.”
I open my mouth to ask him to stay, but nothing comes out. Instead, I find myself nodding in agreement. Matthew and I have become much closer in the last five days, but I don’t think I’m ready to take it to the next level. It’s as if I’m getting to know him all over again, like each new part I discover. Sleeping with him now may undo all the progress we’ve made over the last few days, and I’m just not ready for that yet. So instead of asking him to join me in my bedroom and begging him to do all those things I’ve thought throughout the evening, I nod my head.
Matthew places a kiss on my neck, and I swear I hear him inhale against my skin. A shiver sweeps through my body. He finally releases me and takes a step back. I miss the feel of his presence instantly, especially between my legs, but this is the right thing to do. To take a step away and allow us both to catch our breaths.
“The decorator is supposed to wrap things up by Friday,” he starts, shoving his hands back into his pockets. “Maybe we can have dinner Saturday night?”
Instantly, a smile breaks out across my dry lips. “That would be lovely.”
He nods and reaches out his hand to help me down. Once both feet are flat on the floor, we walk to the exit. “Did George bring you this evening?”
“No, I drove myself.”
I stop at the phone security system positioned by the private elevator and call down to the front security desk to have them retrieve his car. They’re incredibly efficient, and I’m sure his fancy vehicle will be waiting at the front entrance when he gets down there.
“Thank you for agreeing to join me for dinner.”
“You’re an amazing cook, Kyla. Thank you for asking. I had a great time tonight.”
My cheeks tinge with embarrassment. “Me too,” I whisper, my mind instantly replaying the kiss from just a few minutes ago.
He reaches up and cups my jaw, running his thumb over the apple of my cheek. “Lock up behind me,” he instructs, prolonging our departure just a few more moments.
“I will.”
Then he kisses me once more. This one is sweet and soft, as if he’s savoring the feel of our lips joined together one last time. Unfortunately, our connection only lasts for a few seconds. He pulls away and stands up straight, dropping his hand from my face. “See ya soon.”
“Good night, Cowboy.”
He quickly smiles at the nickname I’ve been using, before pressing the call button for the elevator. It opens immediately, since no one has used it since he arrived a few hours ago. Matthew steps inside and presses the descend button. As the door starts to close, I give him a small wave, and then am left standing alone in my foyer.
I almost press the recall button to bring him back up but force myself to just remain where I am. Pressing that button would change everything in a way I’m not ready for. Instead, I return to the kitchen and start turning off the lights. I make sure the balcony door is secured, even though Matthew already did it, and make my way to the stairs.
As I move toward my room, I can still feel the dampness between my legs, another reminder of Matthew’s mind-altering kisses. I grab a nightgown from my closet before heading to my en suite bathroom. I quickly change my clothes, wash and moisturize my face, and brush my teeth. When I’m ready
