Not Broken: The Happily Ever After(68)

“I had a good time tonight. The comedians were really funny.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Did I earn a second date?”

She smiled up at me. “Yes, I think I’d grant you a second date.”

“It’s my lucky night.”

The simple act of her fingers brushing against the back of my neck was driving me crazy. A small gap was between our bodies, but it could have been the Grand Canyon for all I cared. I wanted to feel her body pressed against mine. I resisted the urge to pull her closer.

I removed her hands from around my neck, kissing her knuckles. “I should go.”

“You don’t want to come in?”

What I needed to do was go home and jerk off, followed by a long ice bath because my hand wouldn’t be enough, but I couldn’t turn down a chance to spend more time with her. Even if it meant dealing with the uncomfortable ache in my pants.

“Sure, why not.”

Her face lit up then she turned to unlock the door. She flipped a switch, flooding the foyer with light. Her house was cold, more like a compound rather than a home. I never could fully relax when I’d visited. Now that I knew what went on within these walls, it made my skin crawl to be here. Before, I couldn’t understand why she’d stay just knowing her history with that man, but now...it truly baffled me how she could continue to stay in a place that held nothing but memories of horrific events.

“Would you like something to drink?” Ginger walked into the kitchen, turning on more lights. She dropped her purse and keys on the counter. “I have soda, tea, apple juice.” She looked over at me and smiled. “But if you want something stronger, you can check the bar.”

I took a seat on her couch. “Soda will be fine.”

She walked over and handed me a can. She placed her own on the coffee table then sat down on the other end of the couch. She unzipped her boots, and I laughed when she pulled them off revealing the bright yellow, smiley face, knee-high socks she wore.

She stuck her bottom lip out in a playful pout. “Hey, don’t laugh at my socks. I think they’re cute, and they make me smile.”

She placed her legs in my lap, crossing them at the ankle. “Well, I’m all for anything that brings a smile to your face. Best socks ever.”

Her smile got bigger. My hand wandered up her calf, giving her a soft massage. I was mindful to not let my hand venture to any of her exposed flesh.

Ginger rested her head on the back of the sofa, eyes closed. She looked content as I massaged her legs. I leaned forward to sit my soda down, so both hands could be free. A soft moan escaped her lips when I started on her feet.

She looked so at peace, like in this moment she didn’t have a care in the world. Beautiful in her quiet strength. My Ginger was a warrior and had the battle scars to prove it.

The rise and fall of her chest became rhythmic. “Baby, I’m gonna head out.”

She sat up to look at me. She removed her legs from my lap only to crawl over and curl up on me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, resting her head on my shoulder.

I laughed. “Is this your way of asking me not to go?”

She nodded, hugging me tighter. I circled my arms around her, with one hand resting on her outer thigh. Her fingers played with my hair while I tried in vain to think of anything other than her ass resting against my crotch.

I pushed the silky fabric of her dress up to allow my fingers to stroke the smooth skin of her leg. Having her like this felt good. Her willingness to show me affection, to want to be affectionate with me on any level made me ecstatic. Ginger wanted me here. She wanted me around. Things were falling into place.

“You always smell so good,” she whispered.

She nestled her head closer to my neck and kissed the side of it.

“Thanks. You don’t smell so bad yourself.”

“You really know how to woo a girl,” she stated, kissing along my jaw.

My fingers gripped her thigh as I forced myself to not allow my hand to wander between her legs. My erection was painful. Ginger either didn’t mind or chose to ignore the fact it was poking her ass. She continued to give me feather-light kisses that drove me crazy. It took all of my self-control to not start dry humping her.

I let out a groan. Unable to take the torture any longer, I picked her up and set her on the couch beside me. “I should go. Now.”

She slid over to the end of the couch. “I thought you would stay.” Her voice sounded almost panicked.

“The night?”

She nodded.

“I don’t...I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Her face fell and the contentment she’d had minutes earlier vanished. Lips down-turned, she looked at me with sad eyes. “Is this because of last time? The night I showed up at your house?”

“Partially, yeah.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she bit down on her lip. She shifted her gaze to her lap. The bouncing of her knee, a clear tell of her nervousness. I barely heard her when she spoke. The talk I’d put off earlier had made its way back around.

“I’m sorry. I...I know that doesn’t change what I did, how I acted, but I am sorry.”

I moved over to be closer and placed my hand on her knee to still it. “Look at me.”

She shook her head.

“Please.”

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Ginger complied with my request.