Page 13 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)
Chapter 13
Josh
Y ou might assume that once I got the nerve to ask Kenzie out, I’d be relieved. But there’s where you’re wrong. Normally, I’m a confident guy, but with her, I feel different. I’m nervous. And I’m never nervous. Maybe it’s because I had to earn it. Or maybe it’s because she’s the first woman I’ve ever felt a real spark with. Perhaps it’s because at first, she rejected me. But now I have a whole extra pressure weighing on me. I want this to be perfect. Just like that kiss we shared. That moment lives on constant repeat in my brain. It was incredible. Hands down, that was not only the hottest, but the best fucking kiss I’ve ever had. Pulling away from her was pure torture. But with Toby being a not-so-silent spectator, and knowing she still had a lot to do, I figured it was better to not cause any more distractions.
For our first official date, I take her to Mateo’s, a new restaurant for her, but the unofficial restaurant of the Steel. I arrive to pick her up with a bouquet of wildflowers gripped tightly in my hand. I don’t know why I’m nervous, but I am.
Dressed in a comfortable pair of designer jeans, an untucked plaid button-up, and my Timberland boots, I know I look good. But it’s nothing compared to Kenzie. When she meets me out front, she blows me away. Outfitted in a flowy, flower-printed dress, she reminds me of a forest fairy. Her light brown hair is pulled up into a high ponytail, revealing her sexy, slender neck. And when she blinks, I catch a hint of a shimmer, which makes her eyes sparkle when they focus on me. Hands down, she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
Because of her hours at the bakery, we agreed to an early dinner. At just after four, we’re easily the youngest people in the establishment. After we’re seated, the conversation flows easily between us. What a relief. Minutes later, our server appears, carrying our water and a basket stuffed with warm, crispy bread. He takes our orders—lasagna for me and a spinach manicotti for her. I’m really excited about the food; it’s always delicious. And I’m excited to see what she thinks.
Opening the bread, I motion to it. “Would you like a slice?”
“Please, with butter,” she replies. I smile as I butter the bread for her. Once she’s enjoying it, I grab a slice for myself, butter it, and take a big bite. The crunch of the crust, the softness of the bread, and the incredible taste are why this restaurant is on the map.
“This is incredible,” I say on a moan, and Kenzie laughs. “What?” Her reaction surprises me. Had I been too loud?
Reaching across the table, she swipes at the corner of my mouth. I turn to her, wanting her hand on my lips, eager for another taste of her. “You have butter on your face.”
Oops. Reaching up with my napkin, I wipe it away. “Better?” I ask.
She nods and is about to say something when our server reappears with our meals. Garlic, tomato, and Italian spices waft through the air, making my mouth water.
“This looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it.” She lifts her fork to her mouth, and I savor watching her pink lips wrap around it. Kenzie closes her eyes and a soft hum comes from her throat. Slowly, she opens her eyes and gushes, “That is the best Italian food I’ve ever had.”
I smile at her. “Looks like we just found our spot for future date nights.” Because I can guarantee there will be many more.
Time passes too quickly, but we enjoy our meals and our conversation. Knowing that she has to still get up at the ass crack of dawn the next day, I get her home at eight thirty, like a gentleman.
Kenzie doesn’t live in the best part of town, so I insist on walking her to her door. Her building’s elevator doesn’t work, so we trudge up the stairs to the third floor. I follow her down the dimly lit hallway to her apartment. Why does she live here?
“This is me,” she says as she inserts her key into the lock. Opening the door, I see the small space inside is like the bakery—decorated with bright, happy colors. Even though I can tell it’s a rundown building, it looks as if Kenzie has made her space all her own. “Want to come in?” she asks, and my body and mind go to war. I want to go inside, but I don’t want to move things too fast. Do I want her? Hell yeah. But I want to show her that this is more than just physical for me.
So I politely refuse the invite. Even though we’ve been friends for weeks, talking most days about everything and nothing, we’d yet to go to each other’s houses. Sure, I’ve been to the bakery a dozen times, but our living spaces seemed more intimate, and I’m not sure how Kenzie feels about me. Instead of accepting her offer to come in, I chance a kiss. One kiss leads to two, and before long, we’re full-on making out at her door. And it’s mind-blowingly hot. Thankfully, none of her neighbors are nosy because I lose all train of rational thought once I have her backed up against the doorframe. The way her body curves into mine feels unbelievably amazing, and there is no way she doesn’t feel what she’s doing to me.
The urge to pick her up and wrap her legs around me is intense. Images of stroking my hands up her silky legs almost destroy me. My cock throbs angrily in my pants, and I force myself to step back.
“I need to go,” I rasp in a voice I don’t recognize. It’s full of desire, want, and need. And it matches the heated look in her eyes.
“O-okay,” Kenzie stutters. An emotion flashes across her face. Was that pain? Our chaotic hallway moments have left her beautifully disheveled, and I reach out to touch her once more. But before I have a chance, she’s saying goodnight and slipping through her door.
“Goodnight, Kenzie,” I mumble as the door shuts tight. I wait until I hear her flip the lock before I allow myself to respond to the night. Resting my forehead against the door, I take a few deep breaths to regulate my body. I’ve never had a reaction so explosive before. It’s mind-boggling to imagine what it’d be like if we did something more than make out.
Because our date had been early, I find myself wired when I get home. My mind is full of chaos. I can’t sit still. Should I call one of my guys and meet up for a beer? No. I don’t want to deal with all the female attention we always get in hometown bars.
I pace my house, needing an outlet. My eyes land on a pair of running shoes by the door. Before I can talk myself out of it, I’m dressed in athletic shorts and a t-shirt and heading back out my front door. I slip my AirPods in and turn up some rock to drown out my thoughts of Kenzie. Thinking about her will only lead to me trying to run with an erection, and I have to say, nothing about that sounds enjoyable.
By the time I have two and a half miles under my belt, I’m feeling more normal. Making the turn for home, I think again about the evening and how enjoyable it had been. Not that I’m surprised. Taking Kenzie out was so different from any other woman, especially Kayla. It’s hard not to draw a comparison, since that was the only other relationship I’ve had. And if it were up to me, Kenzie and I are definitely starting a relationship.
T he transition into the season this year has been different. Normally I’d be psyched to play, but for some reason I’m dragging. Physically, I’m in great shape. But emotionally, that’s another story. If I’m being honest, I’m struggling. The thought of being away from Kenzie is killing me. I know we’ll text and I’ll see her when I’m in town, but will that be enough? Ever since our first kiss, I’ve wanted to be near her. All. The. Time. It’s not even the physical side of things. I crave her sweet, positive spirit. No matter how I feel, or how exhausted I may be, as soon as I’m near her, I’m re-energized.
Preseason flies by. Maybe that’s because as soon as I’m done with practice, I drag my battered body over to the bakery. I’m hoping to spend as much time with Kenzie before the near-constant travel becomes my reality. With eighty-plus games a season, it feels like I’m always on the move. I want to enjoy every moment we can get before I have to leave.
“Are you coming over tonight?” Kenzie asks as she removes items from her displays, boxing them up. I learned early in our friendship that each evening she delivers the unsold baked items to a shelter a few blocks over. This woman has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. She’d give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.
I smile, grab a rag, and start wiping tables off. “I was planning to, if that’s not a problem.”
Her smile makes me feel like a million bucks. Her cheeks turn rosy as she admits, “I’d hoped so.”
Moving closer, I reach for her hip and pull her into me. Dropping my voice, I ask, “You did? What did you want to do?” She bows her head, hiding herself from me. Don’t hide from me.
Tipping her head up, I study her eyes. The sparkle in them makes my heart beat wildly. Without another word, I lower myself to her lips and kiss her. She raises on her toes and wraps her arms around my neck, tugging me closer. I dip and lift her. She comes willingly, wrapping her legs around my waist. I spin and she squeezes her thighs tightly around me. I can feel the heat coming off her center through her leggings, and it makes my cock throb in my shorts.
Pushing her up against a wall, I nudge my erection against her center and groan at the contact. Kenzie sucks in a sharp breath, and her body quivers in my arms. I tighten my hold and push my kiss deeper. Her hands, which have threaded through my hair, tug tightly as I grind against her. That feels so fucking good. She sharply pulls my hair, making me even harder. I nip at her lower lip and she arches her back, pressing her breasts into my chest. The feel of her tight, hardened nipples sets me on fire. I know I need to slow things down before I strip her down and lay her out on her worktable. My guess is the health department wouldn’t think that was too sanitary.
I pull my lips from her. “Kenz,” I pant.
“Yeah,” she slurs, looking lust drunk. I lower her legs and step back from her, trying to cool my needy, overheated body.
“Let’s finish up here and then we can head to your place. Okay?”
Kenzie, still riled up, murmurs, “Yeah, that sounds like a smart plan.” Smart plan? The smart plan would not be to have me rutting into her like a crazed beast. At least not our first time together. Call me a pussy or not, but I want our first time to be special. I’m not picturing anything too corny, but I know I want it to be in a bed where I can take my time pleasuring her in all the ways I’ve fantasized about.
That evening, after we lock up at Cakestop and deliver the baked items, we go back to Kenzie’s place. As we enter her postage-stamp-sized apartment, I look around and realize that over the last few weeks I’ve spent a great deal of time here and I feel really comfortable. At the same time, it occurs to me that we haven’t been to my place very often. Every time I go home now, I notice it doesn’t feel as homey as Kenzie’s place.
Kicking off my shoes next to hers, I follow her into her kitchen. Usually, we make dinner, but I’m not hungry for food. My body is still amped up over what happened at the bakery. I stand behind her as she looks in the fridge. Pulling her hair over her shoulder, I kiss her neck. Kenzie rolls her head to the side, giving me better access, and I trace my tongue up to her earlobe. I blow in it before I suck and nibble it.
“Josh,” she moans as she relaxes into me. I hold her body against mine as I run my hands slowly up and down her body. Her goose-bump-covered skin lets me know she’s as affected as I am.
Slowly, I turn her in my arms. Her eyes are dark and full of desire. I tip her chin up, then devour her lips like the starved man I am. I slip my hand under her shirt. “Is this okay?” I ask, mumbling against her lips while caressing her naked hip. She pulls away, surprising me by pulling off her shirt.
“Touch me, Josh,” she begs as her hand goes to my chest and she rubs my pecs. Standing in front of me, nestled in a pink lacy bra, is the most perfect woman with the most amazing set of breasts I have ever seen. I hesitate for a moment before I talk myself into a quick touch. Running my finger over the globes, I notice how soft she is. Needing to have her skin against mine, I rip off my shirt and lower my mouth to her breasts for my first taste. After a few leisurely licks, I reach behind her and unsnap the closure of her bra. Tugging it down her arms, I toss it over her shoulder, and like a kid in a candy store, I lick my lips, staring at the sweet treat in front of me.
My eyes jolt up and meet hers. Can I have a taste? She reads my mind and answers me with a smile. Dipping my head, I place sweet kisses on her breast. I tease her areola with my tongue, making her shiver. When I bite her, she lets out the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. “Josh,” she moans in a feverish pitch.
I dip and pick her up, and she wraps her legs around me, and I’m desperate to get inside her. “Do you want to take this to the bedroom?” I ask in a growl.
Kenzie presses her breasts to me and nods. “Down the hall,” she pants.
I dive back in for another taste. The feel of her lips on mine makes my mind spin. When we reach a bedroom, I stride in like I know where I’m going, and set her on the bed. She scoots back, wiggles out of her pants, and lies back. Smiling, I climb on top of her, settling between her thighs. The heat coming off her is inconceivable. This is the furthest we’ve gone. I’m desperate to put my hands all over her, but I won’t make any moves that might make her feel rushed or pressured. I don’t just want her acquiescence; I want her mad for me, begging for my touch, my fingers, my cock.
I pull my lips from hers and rasp, “Babe, that feels so fucking good.”
“Mmm,” she moans while using her legs to pull me even tighter. Before I can pull back, she swivels her hips, adding an addictive stroke to the tempo our bodies are already creating. A few minutes later, her movements are rhythmless, a melody of uncontrollable judders, moans, and reverberations, as she grinds harder against me. “Yes,” she declares as her orgasm overtakes her body. She arches her back right before her legs tighten around me. The squeeze is exquisite, and I can’t wait to feel her tighten around my cock. Her hurried movements slow, and she relaxes around me. I push up and look at her face. Her normally expressive eyes are closed, and she wears a sated smile across her kiss-punished lips. She has a blush on her cheeks that makes her radiant. When her eyes finally blink open, she’s the most relaxed I’ve ever seen. I lean down and rub my nose on her cheek, letting my eyelashes dance across her cheekbones. Kenzie mutters my name with a sweet sigh. No matter how badly I want to push the moment forward—and I certainly do—I suspect that what we just shared is monumental to our relationship and not something I should hurry past. Moving next to her, I pull her to my side and hold her. The warmth of her body lures mine into sleep, and before I know it, I hear an alarm.
Rubbing my eyes, I stretch my arms across the bed and bump into a half-asleep Kenzie. Using my fingers, I pry open my heavy eyelids and glance around the small room. “What time is it?” I ask.
“It’s just after three. My alarm went off. I need to get ready to head to the bakery.” Kenzie crawls over me and I grab her, pulling her in for a hug.
“Good morning,” I say as I nuzzle her hair, kissing the soft spot behind her ear. Like putty, she becomes pliant in my warm hands. I want to snuggle with her all day. The cock-blocking alarm goes off again.
“Guess you have to get up.” I groan while releasing my hold on her. She slowly climbs off the bed and I swat her butt.
“Eep!” she squeals before she dips in front of me to grab her clothes off the floor. Last night, she’d undressed down to her panties, and now that I have them only inches from my face, I want to pull them off with my teeth. Reaching out, I trace the panty lines as they taunt me. Kenzie wiggles her hips before standing up and sashaying to the bathroom. Damn! Her body is incredible. She has subtle curves that I’m desperate to familiarize myself with. Her skin is warm and soft. Her hips are supple, perfect for grabbing. My fingers flex, wanting to do just that. Her breasts are of the smaller size, but they’re high and perky and just enough for my mouth.
Kicking my legs over the side of the bed, I know I should find my shirt so I can head home after I drop her at the bakery, but I don’t want to. I want to crawl back into bed with Kenzie and snuggle. Did I really just think that? What the fuck? The boys are going to revoke my man card. I’m in deep already, and we’ve only gone on one date. I don’t understand what that means, but what I know is—what this is, between us, is nothing like I’ve ever felt before.