Page 74 of Here With Me

“Yes,Mother.” She takes out her phone and does what I asked. “Now call me a train because I’m about to getrailed,” she singsongs and then mimics a train whistle. “Love you, bye.” When she hugs me, I remind her to be careful. Then she takes Derik’s hand and leaves.

“She’s...somethin’ else.” Fisher scratches his scruffy cheek as if he’s still confused about what just happened.

“At least someone’s gettin’ their pussy licked tonight,” I mutter.

He grabs my hip and pulls me into his chest, and I suck in a breath at the quick, unexpected movement. My hand squeezes his arm to stabilize myself. People crowd the bar around us, so it wouldn’t take much to fall on my ass.

“That night in the food truck with your cunt in my face plays on repeat in my head. Your scent and taste are still ingrained in my mind, so don’t confuse me denyin’ you with not wanting you. But if I get close enough to tongue-fuck you again, I won’t be able to stop.”

Then, as if on cue, his cock jerks and pushes into me. I arch a brow and smirk at his failed attempt to look unaffected.

“And why would we have to stop?”

“Because bein’ together could hurt people. Before you decide you want this, you should know what you’re gettin’ into first.”

My head spins with how the discovery of our relationship would hurthimmore than me, yet he’s askingmeto decide.

“The risk is higher for you. Shouldn’t I be askin’ you to decide?”

His finger traces my jawline as he studies my features. He brushes over my cheekbone, then goes down between my eyebrows and over the arch of my nose before he rounds my other cheek and ends at my chin.

“The decision was made for me the moment we met. I didn’t know who you were or why I was hell-bent on watchin’ you in the crowd, but the second my heart decided, there was no goin’ back for me. Even though I try like hell to ignore these feelings, the pull to be near you is too strong to ignore. If you wanna stay just friends, then I’ll respect that and keep my hands off you. But if you want more, I’m all in to give this a shot.”

My heart flips as butterflies invade my stomach. His touch is soft but tender, and I can’t help leaning into his embrace. He’s willing to take this leap with me, knowing it could blow up his life, and that has me concerned.

“Just promise you won’t resent me if this goes wrong.”More specifically, he loses his son forever, and I’d be to blame for that.

“I have a lot of regrets in my life, Noah. Lovin’ you would never be on that list. I wanna know you beyond our physical attraction.”

Goose bumps cover my skin as a shiver rolls through me. His past is still somewhat of a mystery, and exploring the deeper parts of a relationship will make me fall even harder for him.

“So you wanna be hands-off while we get to know each other?”

His fingers dig into my skin as if he’s fighting with his thoughts. “I want us to go…slow.”

I blow out a breath because I’ll take whatever I can get as long as we’re on the same page.

“Alright, so we stay on the DL for now and figure out the rest as we go.”

“If that means not goin’ public, then yes.”

I laugh because we’re very much in public right now and were basically dry humping on the dance floor.

“Then you better keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Underwood.” I motion with my eyes to remind him we’re not alone.

“Fuck. We better go, then, because if I have to watch another man grind his dick all over you, I’ll break it in half.”

“Ouch.” I snort. “I’ll let my brothers know you’re takin’ me home.”

“I’ll go with you,” he says, following before I can argue it’s a bad idea. One look at Fisher’s tented slacks and they’re going to suspect something’s up besides his boner.

“You’re not very good at thisdiscreetthing.”

“I’m not lettin’ you out of my sight in here.”

“Worried someone’s gonna kidnap me and make me come insevenseconds?” I tease as we make our way to the pool table area.

He curses under his breath, and I chuckle. When we find them, Wilder’s leaning over the table with his pool stick. Guess they found him.