Trusting You (Second Chances #2)(8)
Placing my hands on his chest, I could feel his heart thundering. It was almost as fast as my own racing heart. “Brett,” I whispered. “I don’t know what you want from me, but I honestly don’t do just casual sex. I really don’t know what came over me that night, but I don’t want it to happen like that again. If you honestly can’t stop thinking about me then you need to prove it to me in other ways.”
“Gladly,” he muttered, deep and gravelly.
Inching closer, his smile grew wider before he crushed his lips to mine, tasting me. He parted my lips with his tongue and entangled it with mine greedily. The grip he had around my waist was protective and tight as he held me against his body, his hands flexing against my lower back. His erection was hard against my stomach and I couldn’t stop the moan from rising up through my parted lips. Did I honestly just say I don’t do casual sex? I felt like a hypocrite in that moment because all I wanted to do was strip him down and ride him in the elevator.
When the dinging noise sounded that we’d reached our floor, Brett slowly pulled back and gave me an inch of space. He looked cool and calm with a smile on his face while I was the one panting and breathless. I wanted to hate him for having that effect on me. I narrowed my eyes and snarled at him so he’d know what I was thinking. However, my body definitely didn’t respond to him like that. Before strolling out of the elevator, I straightened my dress and took a deep breath. Brett put his arm around my waist and led me to the valet counter where they all tried to hide their smirks. Great.
The young guy that had taken my car smiled and nodded at me, and sauntered off in the direction of the lot to fetch my car. “I see you must’ve made an impression on the valet guy,” Brett teased. “He didn’t even need your ticket.”
Nonchalantly, I shrugged. “Yeah, he liked my car when I pulled up.”
Brett smiled and grabbed hold of my hands as I faced him. “I can assure you that wasn’t all he liked when you pulled up.” He glanced down at our locked fingers before slowly lifting his gaze to mine. “Look, Melissa, I happily accept the challenge of proving anything you want me to prove to you, but I need you in this as well. It’s not just me you need to learn to trust, you also need to learn to trust yourself.” He paused and took a stray curl, wrapping it around his finger before unraveling it. “Do you mind if I come pick you up tomorrow? I thought about going out on the lake and I’d really like for you to come.”
“I’m surprised you’re not trying to come home with me now,” I retorted teasingly.
He chuckled and shook his head. “No, baby, I’m not. If I came with you right now I don’t think I’d be able to control myself being alone with you. If you want me to be the gentleman I am then you need to go home alone.”
A ping of disappointment flared in my gut, but it was probably for the better. The last thing I needed was to fumble into what we had going on with sex as our beginning point. “I understand,” I agreed. “Tomorrow sounds great. I love going out on the lake.”
Brett leaned in and swept a gentle kiss across my lips. “Perfect, I’ll see you then. I’ll pick you up at ten in the morning.” He kissed me one more time, lingering for a while longer while he glided his finger down my arm. Chill bumps fanned out over every square inch of my body and I shivered. Turning on his heel, he gazed back at me once before walking back toward the building.
“Wait,” I called out quickly. “You don’t even have my phone number or know where I live.”
Stopping mid-step, he glanced over his shoulder at me and winked, his full blown smile lighting up the night sky. “I’m sure I can figure it out. Sweet dreams, firecracker.”
I watched him disappear inside the doors and as soon as he was out of sight my heart finally returned to normal. Was it always going to be like that, with my heart feeling like it was going to explode every time he was near? He did win points for not wanting to come home with me for the night even though my body protested. My thoughts of Brett were put on hold as the valet guy pulled up to the curb and held the door opened for me as I got in. I think I’m going to need a cold shower when I get home, I thought to myself.
Five
It was ten o’clock the following morning when my doorbell rang, echoing throughout the house. I had to give him credit; he was right on time. I was about to answer the door when a text came through on my phone, which was sitting on a small decorative table in my hall. When I picked it up and glanced at the text, I rolled my eyes and groaned. It was my ex-husband.
Daniel: Hey, can I see you today?
Me: I have a date. Sorry.
Daniel: With who? Do I know him? Why won’t you ever talk to me?
Me: I have to go.
I turned off my phone and put it back on the table. One thing was for sure … I wasn’t going to be taking it with me. I had my bathing suit on underneath a bright green tank top and a pair of low cut denim shorts. I was ready to go and I was going to have fun. Thoughts of my ex-husband were going to be erased from my mind.
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I slowly made my way to the door. When I opened it, I had to try hard not to let my mouth fall open at the sight of Brett. He was masculine and sexy in his white T-shirt, which accented his perfectly brown tan, and blue swimming trunks that hung low on his hips.
Whistling, he took off his sunglasses, eyed me up and down, and said one word, “Wow.”