Page 76 of Whispered Promises

His thumb brushes along my jaw, and he savours me, dipping in and tasting me, gentle and probing. The comforting smell of spiced baked goods surrounds me as I swallow his groan of satisfaction and slide my tongue along his. He pulls back far sooner than I want him to, lingering before he flicks his tongue over my lips.

My heart’s still racing from finally having his mouth on mine; it takes me a second to calm it down before I glance up and see the smouldering look on his face.

“I’ve imagined what it would be like to kiss you so many times, but it’s never been as perfect as this,” he confesses, fingers trailing down the side of my neck before dropping down and tugging my hand in his, linking us together.

“We’re in a car, and I’m delivering food to people. How bad is your imagination if this is what you consider perfect?”

But I’m unable to erase the smile that’s beaming across my face.

His laugh is buttery warm, both rich and filling as it falls easily from him. I squirm slightly in my seat, a little embarrassed his laugh is doing things to me. Leaning forward, he kisses the tip of my nose, then drops a lingering kiss on my lips.

“The time and place don’t matter, only that I’m here with you, Rosy.”

There are definitely feelings happening right now. A lot of them. They’re swirling and racing around inside me. It’s confusing, dizzying, but I don’t care.

The conversation with Max hurt. But I don’t want that to weigh me down anymore. I…I really want to spend more time with Noah, Nate, and Bry.

So shit, I guess that means I’m going along for the ride, for once.

THIRTY-ONE

NATE

I’ve been craving her something fierce. Our daily messages are better than nothing, but they’re not enough.

But even a lifetime with her would still have me refusing to leave.

Me

Don’t be late. I’m counting down.

I’d timed the message to send when she’d be leaving work and would see it. Satisfaction rolls through me as I see a reply being typed.

MyGirl

You’re like a prickly hedgehog. But I miss you and can’t wait to see you too.

Prickly? What does she mean?

My message said I was counting down the minutes to see her.

Shoving the phone into my shorts pocket, I roll my shoulders, needing to focus back on my workout. Nothing usually distracts me from it this much; it’s usually the opposite. The gym helps me focus, to lose my thoughts.

But with Rosy, my focus is always her.

Her needs are mine now too.

Throwing myself into another set of deadlifts, I ignore the heat inside me burning in anticipation of seeing her. It works somewhat, and I make it through most of the exercises I’d planned.

My muscles protest as I hold the squat for longer than necessary. I feel it, the moment she steps into the room, and as I glance up, our eyes lock. Her head’s held up, not fixed to the floor like it usually is.

And there’s a big fucking smile spread across her face.

She’s happy to see me, and fuck if that doesn’t do something to me. She walks over, maintaining eye contact, even though I know she must feel uncomfortable doing so.

“Hi.” She grins, eyes sliding away and down my chest.

“Kiss me,” I demand, struggling to contain the fluttering in my gut at the sight of her.