After churros, we took a short drive and ended up at the waterfront. We strolled around, got ice cream, and walked along the water’s edge. It was getting later, the sun disappearing fast and not many people around. It wasn’t even close to being as nice as Port Albany, but for Toronto, it was okay. She sighed as she looked over the water.
“You like that?” I asked. “Water, I mean?”
“Yes. I love to swim.”
I thought of the Hub. The pool. The lake. The exercise room I could help out Evan in. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her. But then the whole family thing, the triplet angle, all of it would come up. I decided to stay silent until I was sure there was something ahead of us besides tonight.
When I was ready to share.
“There’s a pool in my condo building,” I offered.
“Maybe,” she replied. “I might take you up on that.”
I nodded, looking out over the water. The desire to kiss her was predominant. She stood close to me, her head barely grazing my shoulder. I could feel her warmth. Smell the scent of her light perfume. Flowery, pretty. Unique—like her. She finished her ice cream, wiping her lips, the action bringing my gaze to her mouth. Her lips were full. Pink. Would they be as soft as they looked? Would she taste of the cherry ice cream, the cinnamon of the churros? Both?
I wanted to know more than I had wanted anything in a long time. She turned her head, her eyes meeting mine. Slowly, everything around us faded. All I could see was her. Wild hair, dark eyes that beckoned. A full mouth I wanted to claim. Her lush curves that invited my hands to sculpt over them, pull her to me.
She blinked, her long lashes fluttering. “What are you thinking?” she whispered.
The atmosphere was heavy. Serious. Too serious.
I gazed into her dark eyes. “I was wondering if I should switch my home and auto insurance to Geico,” I deadpanned.
For a moment, there was no reaction. Then she laughed. The loud peals I found so enticing. And suddenly, she was in my arms and our mouths fused together, her amusement shared only between us. I kissed her deeply, her lips parting for me right away. I tasted the ice cream. The cinnamon. Her. She delved her hands into my hair, pulling me closer. We both groaned. I bent, lifting her into my arms so I could kiss her longer. Harder. She was perfect in my embrace. Soft. Warm. Melting into me as if she belonged there. Nothing existed outside this moment. I slanted my head, kissing her deeper, taking everything she gave me and wanting more. Every nerve in my body lit up as if on fire. My heart pounded a fast rhythm in my chest, her name echoing with every beat. She whimpered as I dragged my lips across her cheek to her ear.
“Beth,” I moaned. “You are so sweet.”
“More,” she replied. “Kiss me more.”
I was happy to comply, capturing her mouth with mine.
I knew right then there was no going back. I was all in. No matter her limited time, no matter her responsibilities, I wanted to be a part of them. Part of her life.
I kissed her until she was breathless. Until I was dizzy with desire and want. Until I knew I had to stop or I would drag her back to my car and have her in the back seat. Or the hood. I wasn’t picky. Neither was my cock. Hard as a rock, aching and pressed between us, he would take her any way he could.
And it was too soon for that. She deserved better.
I lowered her to her feet, cupping her face as I kissed her one last time. I drew back, already missing the feel of her mouth underneath mine.
I pressed light kisses to her cheeks, eyes, then the end of her nose. She opened her eyes, the dark eclipsed by her pupils, her expression one of soft protest. “You stopped.”
I wrapped her in my arms. “I had to, or I wouldn’t be responsible for what would happen next.”
“Oh.” She nestled closer. “I might not object.”
I shut my eyes. “Don’t tempt me, Beth. You deserve better. A fast fuck in the car isn’t my style, and I highly doubt it’s yours either.” Opening my eyes, I tilted up her chin and met her gaze. “I’m not in a hurry. We’ll get to know each other, and I promise you—” I lowered my head and kissed her again “—it’ll be worth the wait for us both.”
She sighed. “You’re right. Damn it, Ronan, you messed with my head.”
I stepped back, keeping one arm wrapped around her. “Come on, I’ll take you home. If I keep you out too late, Evan might smack me with one of his crutches.”
She chortled. “He might.”
In the car, I turned on the heater since it was getting cooler and glanced over at her. “I had a really good time tonight.”
“Me too.”
“Could I take you out for coffee after work on Thursday?”
“Oh, that’s cake night.”
“Cake night?”
“The night I bake the cakes at the diner.”
“You bake those cakes?”
“Yes. I get a cut on every slice they sell.”
I promptly decided I would call and order some cakes in the morning. The office would love it.
“I could help.”
She frowned. “Not much fun for you.”
“If you’re there, I’m good.”
“Really?” she asked, sounding unconvinced.
“Really.”
“Okay, then. I’d love the company.”
“Great.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I’m prepared for you, Ronan.”
I grinned.
She hadn’t seen anything yet.
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