The problem was, I wasn’t sure I was the person who could do that.
For a long moment, he didn’t say anything as he studied me. Then he pushed that stubborn lock of hair behind my ear again, his touch lingering down my cheek. “What do you want us to be?”
“I don’t know. That’s the problem.” My heart was starting to beat too fast now. I’d taken a pill on the plane, but I was probably going to need another one soon. “I know we said we’d try. But Ronan, I need to take this slow. I just need to find my bearings. Does that make sense?”
Something flashed in his eyes—frustration, maybe, or desire. Or something deeper, more protective. For a second, I thought he might argue, or else tell me to leave completely.
Instead, he kissed me.
It wasn’t the heated kiss he’d delivered on the tarmac. This one was softer, gentler than I’d known he was capable of. It was a kiss that asked me to take the lead. Or at least gave me time to set the pace.
“Slow,” he murmured against my lips. “We can do slow.”
Something like relief—oddly mixed with regret—washed through me as he nuzzled my nose. “Really?” The contract came back to me. All those requirements. Bodily requirements, even if they were mostly about my pleasure, not his.
“Completely sure,” he said. “It’s a partnership, right? Speaking of, as my partner, you are going to meet with a cardiologist next week. No arguments. Just call and tell them you’re my wife. He’ll make the time.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re worse than Megan.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “I don’t know what it is, but something about you makes me want to be better. Makes me want to be… I don’t know. A person worthy of you.”
“You’re already worthy,” I said and found I believed it.
His Adam’s apple moved up and down as he swallowed. “I don’t know about that, Ari. But I’m trying.”
He shoved a hand back through his hair, causing one of his curls to fall down over his forehead. My favorite curl. The one that never quite behaved.
I reached up, tugging lightly on it before letting it spring back into place. “You’re worthy. I don’t know much, but I know that.”
We watched each other for several long seconds. His near-black eyes to my green. Honesty meeting honesty. Maybe for the first time.
Ronan took a deep breath, then expelled it suddenly. “Fuck it.”
Then his mouth was on mine, and he was kissing me again. Only this time, it wasn’t soft or gentle. It was the tarmac times ten, his hands in my hair, pulling my head back so he could take what he wanted completely.
I’d said he was worthy, and I’d meant it. But I’d also thought he was ready to be gentle. I’d never been so wrong, or so glad for it.
When he finally pulled back, I was panting, my lips swollen, my entire body thrumming with want.
“What,” I managed, “what happened to slow?”
Ronan just grinned. “I said I would try, Ari. But nobody’s perfect.”
“Ronan…” I found myself leaning forward, but just as quickly, he stood up from the bed, brushing his pants off in quick, harsh movements.
“You need to change,” he said. “We’re going to a party.”
Lord, this man was going to give me whiplash. “What?”
“It’s just a company event. Nothing major.” He was already heading for the door. “We’re celebrating a recent acquisition, and it’s an opportunity to introduce you to the board members.”
“I—we have to go out tonight?” My voice sounded like a squeak. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“Well, I was going to mention it earlier, but then I was too busy kissing you, and it slipped my mind.” That grin appeared again. It made me feel lightheaded.
“Ronan!”
He shrugged, and the grin broadened. “You’re cute when you’re pissed at me, Ari. Listen, don’t worry about unpacking. I sent my assistant to get some things for you, and you’ll find them in the closet.”
