You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(56)

I loved kissing her skin. Her shoulder was soft on my lips. Her neck was warm. And her ear gave me shivers. I hadn’t kissed her lips yet, but I knew it would drive me wild once I did.

When I walked inside, Alex was near the mats talking to Yates. She wore spandex pants and a black sports bra. There were two dimples on her back, and her waist curved in then out again. I openly gawked at her before I turned my gaze away.

After I checked in, I approached her from behind.

“Let’s have dinner this weekend.” Yates had his arms across his chest. “Then we can watch a movie at my place.”

Think again. I reached her then wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me. “Hey, gorgeous.”

She quickly pulled away from me. “Uh. Hi, Theo.”

Uh? Hi?

Yates’ eyes darted back and forth between us. “Let me know about this weekend.” He drifted away.

“What was that about?” I snapped.

“We work together,” she hissed. “We can’t be affectionate around the others.”

“Why?” I demanded. “If Yates is going to ask you out, I need to stake a claim.”

“Stake a claim?” she asked. “Are you my boyfriend now?”

“Yeah,” I said bluntly.

“Whoa…hold on.” She raised her hand. “I agreed to go on a date with you. I didn’t sign up for a commitment.”

I stepped closer to her and leaned my face toward hers. “Well, you’re getting one.”

“Not if I say otherwise,” she challenged.

“Let’s be real here. We butt heads because we’re attracted to each other. Our chemistry is strong because we mix well together. Sometimes it’s explosive and sometimes we get burned. So what? Don’t act like you aren’t incredibly into me. You even told me you were when you were rambling in a drunken stupor. And after I cuddled with you the other night, spent some quality time with you when you weren’t yelling at me, and saw your gorgeous rack, I’m totally smitten. So yes, that’s how it’s going to be. Deal with it.” I marched to the locker room before she could get a word in.

I opened my locker then pulled out my gi. We weren’t always required to wear one but I liked to do it with my younger students. They seemed to be impressed and inspired with the uniform.

“Buddy, hold on a second!” Alex rounded the corner then marched toward me. “You were horrible to me for months. You can’t just erase that because you finally see my qualities. You need—”

I growled then pinned her against the locker. It shook under the force. I grabbed her hands then interlocked our fingers. Then I pinned them against the metal, using my body to keep her in place.

A quiet scream left her lips as I trapped her. She breathed hard and looked into my face. She didn’t try to get away.

I crushed my mouth against hers and sucked her bottom lip. She reciprocated immediately, melting under my touch. Her hands gripped mine with passion, and then her tongue moved into my mouth.

She was an amazing kisser. Her lips tasted like honey and her tongue drove me wild. I breathed hard into her mouth while I enjoyed her. She sent electric shocks through my body. I wanted to eat her alive. Seeing her in just a sports bra only reminded me of what was underneath.

I pulled away but kept my face close to hers.

She stared at my lips, winded and speechless.

“We’re done talking about this.” I released her then finished changing. I didn’t look at her again.

She walked out without saying a word.

***

I wore slacks and a collared shirt. An arrangement of flowers was in my hands. I stood on her front doorstep and rang the doorbell.

“Hold on,” she called.

“Take your time.”

She finally got to the door. She wore a black dress that showed her long legs. It was strapless so her rounded shoulders were bare. They were toned and strong. Her chest was prominent, the beginning of her endless curves. “Hi.”

“Hey.” I didn’t bother being discreet with my eyes. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thanks.” She blushed slightly. “You look nice too.”

I handed her the flowers. “I hand picked them.”

She took them then inhaled their scent. “They are beautiful.”

I leaned against the doorframe while I watched her set them in a vase full of water. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah.” She grabbed her clutch then walked out. “What are we having?”

“Depends. What do you want?”

“I like Italian.”

“Then that’s what we’ll have.” I hooked my arm around her waist as I escorted her to my truck. Then I opened the door for her.

“So the monkey does have manners…”

I growled. “And is polite enough not to stare at your ass as you climb inside.” I shut the door then came to the driver’s side.

“You really didn’t look at my ass?” she asked incredulously.

“Really.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“I have no idea. I’m always honest so why would I start lying now?”

“Let me rephrase my question. Why didn’t you look?”

I started the engine then headed to the road. If she were any other girl, I would have looked. But for some reason, I was different with Alex. She was a woman who respected herself, so it made me respect her. “You never gave me permission.”