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“Oh, right. You bought that, huh?” The corners of his mouth lifted with the tease. “I’m kidding. Got your trusty phone in case the president of the United States needs some advice?”
She laughed, loving his sense of humor about her neurotic need to be tied to her phone. “Yes, but…” She patted her yoga pants. “No pockets.” She swung it in front of him, like a horse dangling a carrot. Only if she were him, she’d bat that phone across the apartment—and hope it shattered. “Would you be so kind as to carry my phone and key so I don’t have to bring a purse?”
“Babe, I’ll carry your phone, your key, and your sexy little body if you need me to.”
“You’re so…”Addicting. “Accommodating.” Their texts had been so flirty and fun, her pulse accelerated with the hope that Dylan was messaging every time her phone vibrated. She’d sent him an apology text this morning for overreacting last night, and he’d done what he always did. He made her feel better with teasing texts like—You’ve ruined my brother. He’ll never find a woman who measures up to you,andWe need a secret knock. One knock means you’re naked. Two knocks means you’re naked. And three means, well, you’re naked. The next text had let her knowexactlyhow hard he was trying to make her feel better—and how he really felt—I should have spanked your gorgeous ass so you’d never take a chance like that again. Flashing happens at my BEDROOM door only. Just the idea of him spanking her had made her wet.
She slid her phone into the front pocket of his jeans, removed her apartment key from her key ring, and handed it to him. He smirked and set down the helmets so he could hook the key onto his. When he lowered his mouth and brushed his lips over hers, she leaned forward, wanting more, but he was in complete control, holding a deeper kiss at bay.
“One day you’ll give me a copy of this key.” His breath whispered over her lips.
“Are you this overly confident with all your girlfriends?”
He picked up the helmets. “Are you saying you’re my girlfriend, Summers?”
“I…”Am I?Do I want to be?Geez, where did that come from? “No. It was just—”
“Wishful thinking?” He gave her a quick kiss as they left the apartment. “Well, wish no more. I haven’t been with anyone else since we met, and I don’t plan on it.”
She was surprised by how much she liked hearing his declaration and not at all surprised by the anxiety rising within her. “I didn’t mean…” But as she said it, she allowed herself one second to peek beyond her walls. One instant to think about what tomorrow might be like without Dylan. How she would feel if hewasseeing other women. And in that moment, her anxiety rose for a whole different reason.
She cared.
As much as that frightened her, it was also reassuring, because that small part of her had wondered if she ever would again.
“Really?” didn’t slip from her lips. She pushed it out loud and clear, wanting to know the answer.
He draped an arm over her shoulder, and it felt good and unexpectedly familiar to be tucked against his hard body. She thought of the first time they’d had sex, and how good it had felt to be in his arms for those few seconds she’d allowed it afterward. She liked this intimacy. Dylan made her feel safe and special, and she didn’t want to hide behind a wall of bricks anymore.
He pushed the button for the elevator and stepped in front of her, bringing them face-to-face.
“Yes, really. What did you think? That I wanted to play around with you while I dabble in other women? I’m not that guy, Summers.”
The elevator came and they stepped inside, joining a group of people who were laughing and talking. Dylan pulled Tiffany possessively against him.
“I’m this guy,” he said in her ear. “The one who wants everyone to know you’re with me. Only me.”
The fluttering in her stomach caused by his territorial claim warred with the hard-earned pride of not being anyman’sanything. But this time, the fluttering won.
A few minutes later, as they walked through the parking garage toward his motorcycle, he asked, “What kind of girl are you?”
“I’m not sure.” She knew what he was asking, but she didn’t know how to answer him. “I know that sounds like a cop-out after you asked me that the other night and I said the same thing, but I’m trying to be honest. I like you, Dylan. Actually, I like youa lot. I’ve just been on my own for so long, all of this feels new. This is the firstrealdate I’ve been on in years.” She dropped her eyes, feeling like she’d just exposed way too much. “I’m weird, right? I mean, women in L.A. and New York City date all the time, but I never have. I’ve hooked up with guys, but that was my choice never to take it further. I’ve been all about work all the time since college.”
He stopped beside his bike and took her hand. “Weird? No. Fascinating? Yes. You’re a serial non-dater, and your first date in years is with a guy who has spent years looking for the right woman to serially date. I’d say we’re made for each other.”
He set his helmet on the bike and held hers up. “Now, let’s get you wrapped around me. I mean, on the bike.” He waggled his brows.
She eyed the motorcycle. “I’ve never been on one. Do you drive as smooth as you talk, or are you an erratic speed demon?”
“I’ll be whatever you need me to be.”
He kissed her again, and he must have felt her hesitation in the kiss, because he gathered her against him and took the kiss deeper. As she was pressed against his solid frame, his strong arms holding her steady, the blissful, glorious feeling of being devoured by Dylan consumed her. Just when she was sure her legs would give out, he tightened his hold and his tongue swept over hers in a slow, hypnotizing rhythm. And then his soft lips were pressed against hers in a series of sweet, tantalizing kisses. His rough whiskers scratched her upper lip and cheek, and he kissed those tender spots, giving herexactlywhat she needed.
When he gazed into her eyes with a riveting look and said, “Your phone is going crazy in my pocket,” his words didn’t register. It was all she could do to cling to his arms.
His lips touched hers again. “Summers?”
“Hm?”Kiss me again.
