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“Sorry,” I giggled, my cheeks filling with heat that had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with being turned on.
He shook his head with a rueful chuckle. “You don’t look very apologetic.”
“Probably because I like knowing I have that effect on you.”
His voice roughened as he said, “With that red hair, I shoulda known you were a feisty lass.”
“Well, now you do,” I teased.
“That I do,” he murmured, signing the slip the server dropped off with his credit card.
Our night had been amazing, but I didn’t want it to end. Not yet. Maybe not ever, given how much I enjoyed being with him.
As though he was reading my mind, Cole murmured, “Any chance you’d want to head back to my place?”
Going home with a guy on our first official date was out of character. Not that I had ever been on a real one before since guys hadn’t been my priority. Until Cole.
There was something about the sexy football coach that was like catnip for me. Totally irresistible.
Which was why I replied, “Yes.”
6
COLE
My foot felt heavy on the gas, but I tried not to let it control my speed as I drove along the highway on Long Island, headed to my house.
I’d enjoyed every second of my night with Lorna, and taking her to her apartment afterward wouldn’t have tarnished it in the least. But when she agreed to come home with me, it was all I could do not to throw her in the car and drive like a bat out of hell. The fact that I’d been able to have a rational conversation with her during the ride should have earned me a fucking medal.
After a damn eternity, I turned into my driveway and pulled into the four-car garage. I enjoyed restoring old cars, so the garage size had been one reason I bought the house. I used two spots, but I had turned the other two into a makeshift mechanic shop.
The house had been a foreclosure that I’d picked up for a steal, and I’d been slowly renovating the place myself. The last of my projects were almost done, and I couldn’t have asked for better timing since I was about to start a family in it.
The shape of the house was the other reason I bought it. The footprint was a U, with glass walls all along the inside of the shape. In the center was a four-season room that had a pool and lush botanicals all around the edges. It also looked out onto an enormous deck that had plenty of seating and an outdoor kitchen, perfect for team barbecues.
The wings on either side had extra bedrooms and bathrooms on the second floor, and the bottom was made of spaces that I hadn’t yet found a use for. The front section was more like the actual house, with four bedrooms, three and a half baths, plus the primary suite. There was also a large kitchen with an eating nook, dining room, living room, my office, a library, and a den.
I took Lorna on a tour and was pleased to see how she reacted. Since this would be her home soon, I wanted her to love the place as much as I did. If she didn’t, I’d sell it and let her pick any place she wanted.
“This house is incredible,” she gushed when we were sitting out on the deck, cuddled up on one of the couches, staring up at the stars. “It’s so unique, but I feel like it’s exactly what I would have picked out for myself.”
“I’m glad,” I murmured as I placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. She’d worn her hair in an intricate braid that hung down her back. It was beautiful, and I loved having easy access to the sensitive spots on her neck, but I couldn’t wait to unravel the strands and finally see all that perfection spread across my pillows. I wanted to bury my hands in it and hold her in just the right position while I slammed into her from behind.
“I want you to be happy here,” I said softly as I raised her up onto her feet, then turned her to face me, and tugged her back down so she straddled my lap. “You’re gonna be here a lot.” Leaning down, I kissed along her collarbone as I glided my palms up her thighs until they were cupping her hips.
Lorna dropped her head to the side, giving me better access to her throat and wriggled restlessly.
“Tá cuma fhíorálainn ort anocht, lass,” I purred.
She shivered and practically melted into me, making me smile against her soft skin as my hands gripped a little harder. “What…um, what did you say?” she asked breathlessly.
“You look truly stunning tonight,” I said softly.
“Cole?”
“Yes, lass?”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
