Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(53)

But inside, sadness isn’t waiting for me—Connor is.

I push through the door, suddenly anxious to see him, and when I take in what’s in front of me, I can’t breathe.

Connor is the only person inside, no other patrons or even a bartender. The dingy inside has been cleaned, and the faint scent of pine and lemon is lingering under the scents of the candles lit all around the room. There’s a small table in the middle of the dance floor with a tablecloth, two place settings, and a bouquet of roses. His hand casually rests on the back of the chair as he smiles and watches me.

“You’re late.”

I smile back. “I didn’t get adequate notice.”

He starts to move toward me, not in a rush but not overly slow either. His stride is confident, as though he knew I would come even if it took me a while. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you. Well, handsome. You look handsome,” I correct.

All the worries that plagued me are gone. Connor pushes them all away just by being near me. “I wanted us to have a real date.”

“I see that. Typically, one asks the girl, right?”

He shrugs as he comes to a stop in front of me. “I don’t think there’s anything typical about us, Angel.”

He’s right on that one.

Connor’s hand slides up my arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake before his thumb brushes against my jaw. “Don’t lose yourself.” His voice is low and has an edge of warning. “I’m going to kiss you, and I need one of us to have some control.”

My breaths are coming in quick succession, and I can’t quite keep up with what he’s saying. Control? Kissing?

Before I can think too much more on it, his lips are on mine. He kisses me softly at first, sweetly, slow pecks that cause my toes to curl. I hold on to his shoulders, needing the support because I would swear I’m melting.

Then the kiss becomes more intense, and I’m not even sure what planet I’m on anymore. I feel weightless, floating off into a sea of desire where he is all that exists.

The music is gone, the bar fades away, and it’s just the two of us.

Our mouths move together, not rough or needy, but exploratory—as though we have no time but the present. It’s magical, wonderful, and I never want it to end. The sound of my heartbeat fills my ears as I open my lips for him. His tongue melts against mine, and I moan.

God, kissing like this is criminal.

He tilts my head to the side, urging me to give him better access, and I give it freely. I would give up everything to make this kiss last forever.

My fingers dig into his shoulders as his lips move down to kiss my neck. “You were supposed to keep your wits,” he says against my skin before pressing another soft kiss at the hollow of my throat.

“You know what kissing you does to me?”

He straightens, a triumphant smile on his arrogant face. “Yes, and I like the results.”

I grin and take a step back, wobbling a bit, which makes him grin wider. “Watch yourself.”

“Yeah, you watch yourself too. You’re not as unaffected as you’d like to pretend.”

Connor chuckles, a deep throaty sound that makes me want to kiss him again.

“I never said I was. When it comes to you, Ellie, I have no restraint.”

“I think you have a lot more than you’d care to admit.”

He raises one brow. “How so?”

“Well, I’ve been in your house for two months now and you haven’t done anything more than kiss me.”

After the words are out of my mouth I want to slap myself.

“Did you want me to do more?”

Yes. No. I don’t know. “I shouldn’t and that’s why I’m glad you haven’t. I’m still technically married, and there’s this part of me that doesn’t want us to do more than what we have for that reason.” Not that I think any God in heaven wouldn’t understand after all I’ve dealt with. Still, I think it’s more of starting a new thing. I want my relationship with Connor to never bear any black marks.

We had the night together years ago, and I should never have done that.

“No, that’s . . .” I cover my face with my hands. “I’m not good at any of this, so please forget I said that.”

“Please explain,” he urges as we sit.

“The next time we’re together, I want it to be right. No husband, no secrets, no things that are hanging over our heads. I want you and me to be everything.”

He reaches his hand out over the table, and I place mine in it. “I told you that I’d wait forever for you, and I mean it. I feel like these eight years have been my training mission.”

I try to smile, but I feel stupid. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“That I’m basically telling you we have to wait until my divorce is final.”

“Tell me this, can I kiss you?”

“Yes.”

“Can I hold you?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“Can we go on dates?”

“I hope we do.”

Connor smiles. “Then, until you’re ready for anything more, we’ll do just that. I’m not in a rush.”

“And what about when your six months are up?” I ask.