Page 80 of All This Time

I lean forward and press my lips to hers softly. As I retract, an idea comes to me. “Let me ask you something…”

“Okay…”

My voice comes out sounding like gravel, indicating the restraint I’m demonstrating right now. “Did you enjoy me touching you?”

“Yes,” she admits on a whisper.

“Do you want me to do it again?”

Her tongue darts out to lick her lips. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

“Then that’s all we need to agree on right now.”

When her eyes lift and lock on mine, something flashes in them that I instantly recognize—fear of rejection. And how do I know that? Because I am fairly certain that my eyes look the same.

But we don’t need to have all the answers right now. I don’t need to know everything that’s going to happen next. Focusing on the fact that Laney wants me is enough fuel to keep me pushing forward while I figure out how the hell to make this woman a permanent fixture in my life.

“So, we agree this is just physical?” she asks timidly as her eyes darken.

“If that’s what you want.”

“Yeah, I mean…some decent sex would be nice for a change.”

I thrust my hips against her pelvis, letting her feel how fucking hard I am. With my hand back on her jaw, I dip my head down so my lips are just an inch from hers. “Let me be clear about something, Laney Hart. Sex between us would be much more thannice. It would be carnal,sensual, and downright dirty. In fact, I’m pretty sure that fucking you would be a goddamn religious experience.”

“Fletcher…”

Before I do exactly what I’m thinking, I change the subject. “Now, we have a bachelor party to plan, remember?”

Brows drawn together, she clears her throat, but her voice still cracks when she answers. “Um, yes. I’m aware…”

“Well, we should probably meet up tonight then.”

Laney’s eyes dart around the room, clearly thrown off by my change in topic. “I, uh…have a client at seven. I’ll be home late.”

“Tomorrow?”

She shakes her head. “I can’t do tomorrow night either. We have yoga at the winery.”

My jaw tightens as I fight off my irritation, but I know if push comes to shove, I can call some people in Charlotte, wave my credit card around, and get what we need in a few days’ time. “Fine. Wednesday?”

Laney licks her lips. “Yeah, that will work. I’ll have to postpone my dinner with Dilynne, but she’ll understand.”

“Okay.” The corner of my mouth tips up as I chuckle, but I pull her flush against me, my hands gripping her hips possessively. “One more thing, though.” Dipping my mouth to her ear, I wait a few seconds to speak, just listening to her breathing. “Laney, there’s something you need to understand about what you just agreed to.” I push my hand under her shirt against her back, letting the warmth of her skin soothe me while also making her shiver in response. “I might have agreed to make you come again, but I’m the one who gets to decidewhenandwherethat happens.”

A groan leaves her lips as I drag her earlobe between my teeth, and then I release her and head for the door again. “Talk to you soon, angel.”

Without a backwards glance, I exit the office and head for the front door.

“Leaving so soon?” Yvonne calls out to me as I walk past the receptionist’s desk.

“My work here is done.”

She snickers behind me. “You work fast.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I say, “Nope. I just know that some things are worth waiting for.” With a tip of my hat, I walk onto the sidewalk outside, even more determined to give this opportunity all I’ve got.

Laney might think she just wants sex, but I want much more than that. I want all of her.