Page 40 of Forbidden Kisses

"Oh, okay. Let's go, Grandma," he said. "Bye, Riley. Bye, Dad."

After Susan and Jeremy walked out the door, Duncan shook his head. "Look at him. Mom comes and I'm like a second-class citizen."

"Don't take it so personally," I teased. "He's just happy to be with his grandmother."

After I gathered my tote, we left the condo too. Without Jeremy around, I was more nervous. I knew this was a dangerous path. I couldn't relax around Duncan and needed my guard up.

We were both silent on the way to the car, though I was aware of his every move. He was walking in step with me, and I was fighting every instinct not to lean in closer.

Once inside the car, I took a deep breath. It smelled like him.

Oh, this wasn't the best idea. Why didn't I make an excuse and leave when his mom arrived?

Because deep down, you do want to be alone with him, a little voice said at the back of my mind.

Damn it, that was true.

"Thank you for taking me home, Duncan. You didn't have to do that," I said as he started the engine. He’d initially prodded me to use the car he’d gotten for Jeremy’s excursions anytime I needed it, but I didn’t want to take advantage of him. Nor did I want anything to happen to the car on my watch. Occasionally, it was still a point of contention.

He turned to me. "No, but this was the only way I could spend some more time with you."

Wow, this was happening. We weren't dancing around each other anymore.

As I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, he took my other hand, brushing his thumb over the back of it.

"Is this uncomfortable for you? Am I making you nervous?"

"No, not at all. I really want you to know that I'm not brushing you off tonight, but I promised them that I’d come."

"I understand perfectly. I'm a man of my word too."

My skin simmered at his touch, and not just the exact patch of skin where he was pressing his thumb. The heat was spreading everywhere, and I couldn't stop it. I didn't know how, and I also didn't want to. I didn't have any willpower left.

Letting go of my hand, he started driving, focusing on the road. "I should have told you when I first came up with the idea.”

"Wait, you've thought about this? When?"

"All damn week. You don't know how often you're on my mind, Riley.”

“I tried to leave quickly every evening, not that that actually happened…” Because I didn’t want to. I liked the time we spent together.

“I didn’t want that either. I enjoy spending time with you."

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask more, but I didn't. "We can set something up for next week. To talk more, I mean," I rambled.

Damn it, why was there no traffic? We were going to reach the house in no time, and it wasn't even that close. Was he driving that fast? I needed to spend more time with him.

"Yes, we will," he said. "Fuck, I can’t believe I don't get to spend the evening with you." He drew in a sharp breath. His voice was even huskier than before.

"Come with us," I offered again.

"Don't tempt me." He swallowed hard, glancing at me. "I’m nine years older than you. How would that look, if I went with you and your friends? Clubbing isn’t exactly my scene."

I didn't get it. It wasn't just twentysomethings who went to beach clubs. I bit the inside of my cheek, but I didn't insist. If he didn't want to join us, then I wasn't going to force the issue.

The car slowed down as we reached the house.

"Damn it," I said.