“You don’t have to eat if you don’t want to,” I assure him, afraid he might be upset I’ve been making myself at home in his kitchen. “I just assumed you’d want to eat before you went to work. I guess I should have asked about using your kitchen.”
“It will be our kitchen, Carly, and it’s not that.”
His words make me turn around. “But it’s something?”
“It’s just that you mentioned numerous times in your letters how you didn’t like cooking,” he says and I try not to let the guilt show on my face, but I can feel heat rise just the same. I quickly turn back around. I search for an answer—one that won’t be a lie, because I really like Stone and I’m starting to really hope this works out. Before, it was my only choice and now… it seems like where I’m supposed to be.
That sounds stupid, considering I don’t really know Stone and it’s only been one day, but it is true just the same.
“I didn’t like cooking at my old home. The kitchen was really small and outdated. The stove only had one working burner and to be honest, cooking for one is kind of depressing.”
“But in your letter you mentioned you had a lot of friends and that you’d been in a lot of relationships,” he counters, and I bite my lip. Why would Tally tell him that?
Probably because she didn’t want him to know what a loser I am.
“Not that many.” I shrug. “How is it?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“It’s really good,” he answers and at least that makes me smile. “Come eat with me, Carly.”
“I was just going to have mine after you left for work. Do I need to pack your lunch?”
“I’m not working today, Carly.”
“You’re not?” I ask, surprised. I’m also nervous at the thought of spending the whole day with Stone. I’m not sure how that’s going to work.
“Nope. I took the day off to spend with my bride-to-be.”
“Um.”
“Sit down here and eat with me, Carly,” he orders and after a minute of staring into his eyes, I gather my plate and sit down—hoping I don’t stumble on any more things that Tally has said that I don’t have any idea about.
Chapter Nine
Stone
My first full day with Carly and even I’m surprised at how great it’s been. She’s got a keen sense of humor. We have similar tastes in music and movies and I love hearing her laughter. We’ve been watching the latest Melissa McCarthy comedy, and after some convincing, she curled up on the couch and snuggled against me. She’s tiny, but she feels just right next to me. When she laughs, if she finds something hilariously funny, she snorts. And the laughter fills the room. I can even see it in her eyes.
“What? Do I have a popcorn kernel stuck between my teeth?” she asks, and it’s only then I realize I’m staring.
“I was just thinking what a great day it’s been,” I answer, being completely serious.
“It really has,” she says with a smile.
I hook my hand at her neck and pull her lips up to mine.
“I’m going to kiss you,” I whisper, almost touching her lips now.
“I was hoping you would,” she says, her warm breath teasing my lips.
Then I take her mouth.
Our first kiss. It’s a kiss of discovery, but also one of celebration. As good as I knew it would be to have Carly here, it’s so much better. As much as I dreamed about having her in my arms, that too is better than I could have ever imagined. Our kiss is slow and easy, tasting, learning, and exploring. I sneak my hand up under her shirt and I swallow her moan as my hand touches the warm, bare skin of her side. I let my fingers drift across her flesh, teasing her. She squirms, pushing closer to me just as I cup her breast in my hand, kneading it.
“They’re small,” she says when we pull apart. I keep my hand right where it is. Her breast is small, much like the rest of her, but I love the way the soft mound feels against my palm. Her nipple is pushing against my hand and I wish she wasn’t wearing a bra.
“They’re perfect,” I tell her, still massaging.
“They are?”
“Are you going to let me undress you, and show you?” I ask her quietly. I don’t want to scare her, and I know it’s only been one day, but I want her. I want to bury myself in her and claim her. It seems like I’ve been waiting forever to do that.
“That’s not a very good idea,” she says, nibbling on the corner of her lip nervously.
“I think it’s the best idea I’ve ever had,” I correct her.
“I just… I need more time, Stone,” she says and her eyes are pleading with me, even as her body is still trying to get closer to me.