Not even me, more’s the pity.
“And you said you loved reading but never got to choose your own books.” I sweep my gaze over the shelves. “I want you to have all those things. Fun. Privacy. Choice.”
Especially since the way she lost her virginity had none of those.
She gazes up at me like I’m a beautiful puzzle she doesn’t understand.
She’s so perfect, and so out of reach, even though she’s just a few steps away. Too good and sweet for me. But knowing there’s only a wall between her bedroom and mine as we sleep will be something. A solace.
“Kon, this is…” Words seem to fail her, and she buzzes with excitement, like it’s too much to contain.
Then it isn’t contained. She throws herself across the room and into my arms, which close around her instinctively when she embraces my chest.
“Thank you,” she chokes out. “This is amazing. The whole apartment, and this library, and everything. I can never thank you enough.”
She’s slight in my arms, and again, as usual, I’m a monster compared to this delicate girl. Despite her strength from gruelling hours of dancing, I feel like I could snap her far too easily.
I keep that thought in my mind as I allow myself—temporarily—to hold her. To enjoy her small body against mine, and imagine for a moment that she’s mine to care for and love. I imagine that she’ll be in my bed, recreating that night when she encouraged me to take from her in a way I never dreamed I’d want.
But this girl. If you’d told me I’d give up part of my apartment and arrange the design and build of an indoor slide and a library, I’d have laughed before I met Taylor. But her smile is everything to me.
“Kon…” She keeps holding me tight but lifts her head up. Then she pushes onto tiptoes, trying to close the gap between our faces.
Every reason I shouldn’t have Taylor flies from my head. My cock thickens. My hand moves with infinite slowness up her slender back, and to her neck. Her hair is in its customary bun, and my fingers itch to pull it down so it cascades over her shoulders. So I can plunge my hands into it as I hold her head still and plunder her mouth with my tongue in a ravishing kiss that steals both our wits.
“What is it?” I murmur. My hand spans the whole of the back of her neck and the soft hairs at her nape tickle my thumb.
She licks her lips, and I suppress a groan.
I’m going to kiss her. I don’t know if I can stop myself. I need her so much.
Just a taste.
I’ll lower my head to hear what she says, that’s all. And if our breaths mingle, well. Unavoidable.
She’s all big blue eyes and glossy pink lips that are open in what I can’t see as anything but invitation.
“Do you ever think…” She trails off tentatively, but her hands rise to my shoulders, dragging me down. Or attempting to. She’s a strong little thing, but she’s tiny compared to me.
I let my head drop, so my mouth is only a couple of inches from hers.
“Of what?” I say hoarsely. Every instinct in me says she’s offering, and I should take.
That she’smine.
“The night?—”
Brrr!
The vibration from in my pocket is an unwelcome intrusion, and we both freeze.
The moment is broken. I straighten, and fuck. Fuck, that was close. Even before I pull my phone out, I know who it will be.
Beckenham.
“It’s your brother-in-law,” I say, but I have to clear my throat, because arousal has flooded every part of me.
“Better answer,” Taylor says. “I bet Payton has been calling me and wondering where I am.” There’s no bitterness in her words, but a twist of humour.
