Take Your Time (Boston Love #4)(69)

One word, full of so much meaning.

It stops me in my tracks with a shiver. I glance over my shoulder at him, a goodbye poised on my tongue…

It never comes out.

I’m not sure why it happens, or how, but something inside me simply snaps. Gives way, like a levee washing out beneath a flood. Maybe it’s because, when I first met him, I thought the attraction I felt was just about getting him into bed, screwing him out of my system with sheer force of will.

But now that I know him… now that I’ve seen past the hard exterior to the man beneath, the fighter who infuriates me one minute and instills me with passion the next… who constantly challenges me, yet also thrills me in a way no man has ever really done before… who sends me reeling half the time, but knows exactly how to ground me again when I’m spiraling out of control…

I can’t hold it in anymore.

Can’t stop myself. Won’t stop myself.

To hell with the consequences.

Much as I’d like to tell you I suffered some kind of mental break, I think my true motivations were less psychological and more…

Physical.

Unlatching my belt, I’m out of my seat and over the console in a flash. My legs straddle his lap, sending my skirt up around my waist, and then my mouth is on his. Which is crazy, since a half hour ago I was ready to kill the man.

It just so happens that the only time I actively don’t want to murder him is when my mouth is pressed to his.

In the past, he’s always been the initiator. I feel a rush as I turn the tables on him, as I see the flash of surprise in his eyes the second before we collide. He groans as I grind down against him, his mouth hard and hot as it moves under mine. His arms slide around me instantly, so tight I soon find myself plastered against his chest, and I gasp against his lips as I feel how hard he is already. I’m ravenous, needy, damn near desperate to touch him.

If I’m honest with myself, I’ve been like this all day — all raw nerves and untapped passion, chafing in my clothes. Itching to be back in his arms. Last night, his lips sparked a need inside me that hasn’t been fulfilled, and it’s been gnawing at me with unrelenting teeth ever since.

My hands grip his face, tracing stubble and sharp cheekbones. I angle my head to deepen the kiss, loving the way his lips feel on mine. Giving and demanding, soft and hard, all at the same time. When I duck my head to kiss his neck, he lets out a growl that rattles his whole chest.

“Delilah.” His hands find my chin and he angles my face up to his. I see the strain in his eyes and know it’s taking monumental effort for him to push me away. “Go get the damn dog. I need to fuck you and I’m not doing it in my truck.”

My mouth goes so dry at his blunt admission, I can’t speak.

“You still with me, babe?”

I give a nod, eyes still locked on his mouth.

“Christ,” he mutters darkly, reaching around me to push open the driver’s side door. “Go, before I change my mind about the truck. The windows are tinted, but the things I’m planning on doing to you require a bit more space.”

I make a pathetic sound, half-moan-half-sigh, and clamber off his lap, down onto the street, straightening my dress and smoothing my hair as soon as I’m upright. He smirks at me, a dirty look in his eyes.

I’ve got you now, his gaze taunts cockily.

“Right, so, have a pleasant night, then!” I say, just to screw with him. “See you at the wedding!”

His glowering eyes move from the massive erection he’s sporting over to me, a lethal look in their depths.

“Are you fucking kidding?”

Darting up onto my tiptoes, so my face is an inch from his, I breathe, “Why yes, I am, actually,” against his lips, depositing a playful peck on them before lowering myself back down to the road.

“Careful, Delilah. You play with fire, you’re gonna get burned.”

Gulp.

His eyes are torn between amusement and desire as they scan me from top to toe, lingering on all my good bits. I feel breathless beneath the weight of his gaze.

“Just teasing,” I murmur weakly. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Good. Because, babe? We’re going back to my place.” His smile is wolfish. “And then it’s my turn to do the teasing.”

My blood pressure spikes in anticipation. Closing the cab door, I bolt down the empty stretch of sidewalk as fast as possible, heading for the entryway to the Macombers’ townhouse. I’m eager to get back to the truck, and the man inside it. More than eager.

The things I plan on doing to you require a bit more space.

My pace increases.

On their stoop, I do my best to catch my breath. When I’m somewhat more composed, I knock lightly, not wanting to wake the kids. I hear the pitter-patter of paws against their hardwood floors and when the door opens, I’m immediately bombarded by Fenway. His paws hit my knees and he whines excitedly. I know it’s impossible, but I swear he looks bigger than he did when I dropped him off.

“Hi, buddy,” I say, bending to greet him. My face is only in range for about six seconds but he manages to get several good licks in before I straighten to meet Joyce’s eyes. “Thank you so much for watching him.”

“Oh, it was a blast.” She grins at me. “Hey, can you come in for a second? The kids are sleeping but Ted and I want to run something by you. It won’t take long. Unless you’re in a rush…”