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Scarlet melts into my embrace as I lick the seam of her lips, my tongue darting inside when she grants me access. I take my time, attempting to show her with my kiss how I feel about her. How I’ve always felt about her.
It’s reminiscent of our first kiss.
Slow and sensual.
Passionate and needy.
Soft yet demanding.
She’s pulling me closer, pressing her body against mine. I feel her wrap her legs around my waist, and just as I’m about to lift her off the counter, she whimpers.
Pulling back immediately when I realize it’s not a cry of lust but one of pain, I carefully step out from between her legs, my chest heaving, and stare down at her. Even sitting on the counter she’s inches shorter than me.
“Are you okay?”
“I forgot about my ankle and tried to latch onto you,” she replies, averting her eyes as her cheeks flush.
I’m an idiot. It’s like I lose my mind every time we’re alone together. Anytime I touch her. I forgot she was injured, my only focus on kissing her, devouring her. Claiming her.
Before I let the moment pass me by again.
“You should probably elevate your ankle and put a cold compress on it.” Releasing my grip on her waist as I say the words, I take another step back, but stop the second her hand lands on my arm.
“Will you stay with me?”
Forever.
That’s not what I say, of course. That would be creepy. I’ve already crossed the line with her. Three times to be exact. The first, the day we met, then again, this morning, and finally, five minutes ago when I kissed her again.
“Of course.”
“Will you carry me up to my room so I can lay in bed?”
Keep your thoughts pure, Colt. She’s not asking you to go to bed with her. She’s asking you to take her to bed. There’s a difference. A big one.
“Are you trying to test my self-restraint? When it comes to you, it appears I have none.”
I try to keep my statement light, make a joke out of it, but her reply has me wanting to sweep her in my arms and tell my subconscious to fuck right off.
“And if I am?”
“You don’t want to do that.”
“Maybe I do. You’re always composed. In control. Maybe I want to find out what happens when you let go.”
Growling, I stomp over to the freezer and rip the door open, testing the strength of the hinges. Snagging a bag of frozen fruit, I toss it to Scarlet and begin searching the drawers for a towel. Once I find one, I sling it over my shoulder and move to stand in front of her.
“Can you walk on your own or would you like me to carry you up the stairs?”
I want to carry her, therefore I’m asking for permission. It’s a first for me when it comes to Scarlet, but I need her to want it too.
“Carry me,” Scarlet says as she wraps her arms around my neck. Sliding one hand beneath her knees, I resist the urge to throw her over my shoulder and spank her ass for tempting me. Though, I think she might like it.
As soon as we reach her room, I place her on her feet. She limps over to her bed and plops down, adjusting the pillows so she can sit upright. Once she’s situated, I finally make my way inside.
“I need one of those pillows,” I state, pointing to a square pillow covered in bright blue and yellow flowers next to her.
Situating the pillow beneath her ankle, I realize it’s not high enough and ask for another. This one comes flying at my head, but I snag it before it can make contact, placing it on top of the other one. Once I’m happy with her setup, I cover her ankle with the kitchen towel and hold my hand out for the frozen fruit.
“Are you going to leave me if I give it to you?” she asks, glaring at me.
“No.” It’s a lie. She’s injured, and I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself if I stay here. The last thing I want to do is hurt her even more. With the thoughts running through my mind right now, the fact that I’m in her bedroom, on her bed, surrounded by her heavenly scent—I’m screwed if I stay.
“I don’t believe you. I think you’re going to run the second you get the chance because you know I won’t be able to chase you.”
“Kind of like you did after I kissed you.”
The words are out of my mouth before I have a chance to swallow them. They’re laced with pain and anger, feelings I never wanted her to know I felt after that night.
Scarlet’s mouth pops open, and I do the one thing I know will distract her so I can get the frozen fruit from her grasp. I kiss her, hard. I put every ounce of pain and anguish I’ve felt over the years into that kiss. And once she releases her grip on the bag, I steal it, place it on her ankle, and walk away.
