Page 122 of With the Assist

She glances at me. “What?”

“You can’t make that noise when we’re surrounded by people.”

“Why not?” She grins, clearly pleased with herself.

“Because it makes me want to take you around the corner, into that alley, and draw that sound out of you with my tongue.”

Her cheeks flush. “Oh.”

“Yeah. So, unless that’s what you want, stop it.”

She takes another bite, looking me directly in the eye as she makes the sound again.

“You’re trouble.” I step toward her and cage her gently against the brick wall.

“Not usually.” Her voice comes out breathy.

I reach up slowly, giving her time to stop me, and brush my thumb across the corner of her mouth, catching the smear of chocolate she left there.

Instead of pulling away, I slide my thumb to the center of her lips. She parts them just enough to suck it into her mouth.

Her pupils blow wide as she swirls her tongue around my thumb.

I instantly regret not doing what I wanted to when she first showed up at my door. If I had, I’d be buried inside her right now instead of fighting off a public erection.

“How’s it taste?” My voice is gravel.

“Find out for yourself.”

The words are full of suggestion. I have a second croissant in the bag, but there’s only one way I want a taste.

I lean in, pressing her more firmly against the wall, and kiss her.

It’s slow and languid. The taste of chocolate and her is immediate and overwhelming.

There’s no way that two more weeks are enough. I could kiss her forever, and it would never be enough.

Maybe it’s because of how she supports me and jokes with me. Maybe it’s because she’s focused and committed in a way that inspires me. Or maybe it’s because the past three times we’ve been together, we’ve only kissed, and it’s been better than anything I’ve experiencedwith anyone else. Whatever it is, I know now that I’ve been lying to myself. There is no way that she’s a fling for me.

Her fingers curl into my coat, tugging me closer until I am very aware of how little distance exists between us and how badly I want to erase it completely.

The street is still moving around us. People walk past. Someone laughs loudly farther down the sidewalk. Cars pass, tires hissing against wet pavement. Nobody pays attention to us.

It’s dangerous because it makes me feel like we’re completely alone. It’s why I push my leg between her thighs, parting them to feel her heat.

Her hands slide up under my coat, fingers pressing into my sweater. I can’t tell if she’s grounding herself in me or pulling me closer.

My pulse is loud in my ears.

I break the kiss to breathe, but I don’t move away. My forehead rests against hers while I try to remember how to act like a normal person in public.

“Chocolate croissants were a good decision,” I murmur.

She laughs quietly. “You’re only saying that because you’re currently high on pastry and inappropriate PDA.”

“Incorrect,” I say. “I’m currently high on you.”

It feels like more of a confession than I should make. Something more than the boundaries she keeps setting. But I don’t take it back.