“If I saw you as just a kid, I wouldn’t even be sitting here with you.” My voice was deep and hoarse, my throat tight as if reluctant to let the words escape. I stopped eating, blew out a breath and said, “I know you had it rough in the past. I know you have never truly had someone love and stand by your side. I also know you are going to struggle believing that I would. But you need to believe me when I say this. No matter what you fear, I’d never cheat on you. I’d never disrespect you like that. I broke it off with Shelly the minute you and I had sex.”
Corrine took a long drink of her wine. “I’m going to start seeing someone… a therapist. I know what I did was wrong. And I also really want you and me to work.” She looked down at her plate and then giggled. “And I really don’t want to burn down your house after our first fight.”
I shook my head and nearly choked on my food as I burst out in laughter. “I think that’s a good idea. Arson isn’t really on my list of things I want to deal with.” I looked up into her eyes, growing serious. “I plan to be by your side while you battle the monsters. I told you I’d help slay the dragons. You aren’t in this alone.”
She softly touched my hand. Her palm was warm, smooth, and delivered chills racing up and down my spine. She looked deep within my eyes, and I wondered how I could ever resist a woman like her? She was in my blood.
She may have forced her way in but was there regardless.
“I’ve never felt that way in my life. Never,” she said.
“Well then we’re even. Because you sure as hell have introduced me to a wave of intense feelings myself. It’s like a rollercoaster. Thrilling.”
She winked. “I like hearing I got your blood pumping.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, you definitely woke up something I had pushed deep inside. I’ll give you that.” With a mischievous smile, I asked, “Do you want to get out of here? Let’s go home.”
She glanced at her plate and then mine. “We haven’t finished eating yet.”
“All I want right now is to pick you up, toss you over my shoulder, and carry you out of this restaurant. I want you alone so I can show you just how much you have gotten into my head, my heart, and my body.” I pushed my chair back, grabbed my wallet, and placed a pile of cash on the table.
“We didn’t get the bill yet—”
“Corrine…” I reached out my hand and stared down into her eyes.
She took a moment to think about it, playfully acting as if she were actually considering just keeping her seat. Finally, with a sly smile, she stood up and took my hand.
“Let’s go home, Mr. D.”
24
Mr. D
I’d wanted Corrine back in my bed for days now, and my desire had only grown even more as we spoke so openly over dinner. It took everything I had not to sweep her into my arms on the side of the road and have my way with her before we reached my place. But I wasn’t going to rush it and not give her the sensual and seductive, that we both needed, to set the balance right again. Our last sexual experience had been a hate fuck, and I wanted to correct the wrong. Tonight, I didn’t want to just have sex with her. I wanted to make love to her.
Once we reached the bedroom, I let go of Corrine’s hand to light a candle on the nightstand. It gave just enough light to cast us in a soft, romantic glow. When I turned to face her again, my heart skipped a beat. Corrine was pure perfection sprawled out naked on the bed. The time away from me left her hungry, wanting, and ready. We were on the same page in that regard. Wide, sultry eyes watched me undress before her.
I towered over her, placing my palms on the mattress. “I love when you look at me that way.”
Corrine arched her body, attempting to make contact with my chest. “And how am I looking at you?” she questioned, gazing even deeper into my eyes.
“Like you belong to me.” I lowered my face to hers, nipping at her lips. “You’re mine, Corrine. Others may not know it yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Mine,” I murmured against her mouth.
My gaze locked on hers before I flipped her over on her stomach. My hands rested on her hips as I compressed the full weight of my chest against her back. I pressed my lips to her ear and whispered, “I like seeing the firmness of this bare ass… waiting for me.”