“I know,” she conceded, breathing heavy from his tender touch and the heated look in his eyes.
“I want to be with you, Ally. Will you give me time to take things slowly and work out the confusion in my head?”
That was an easy question. “Of course I will.”
He wrapped his arms around her back and held her close. Allison cuddled against him for several wonderful minutes but she found herself ready for more. They hadn’t really resolved anything between them besides him asking for more time. She leaned back slightly and said, “Do you want to go sit on the beach and talk things out?”
“No.” His answer came swift and strong.
“Oh.” She blinked up at him. “What do you want then?”
“You,” he said and her chest warmed with happiness and desire for him. “But what is actually going to happen is I’m going to walk you back to your room and we’re both going to get some rest. I’m tired and emotional … Pardon me but if you ever tell my squadron I used that word describing myself I’ll cut out your tongue.”
“Wow, you are a violent one tonight.” She tamped down the disappointment of him not wanting to be with her.
He smiled. “I’m also far too invested in you and don’t think I could control myself if we started kissing,” his voice deepened, “which is all I want to do right now.”
The warmth surfaced again. She felt the same, wanting to kiss the night away but knowing it was playing with fire. Birch definitely had some issues he needed to work out, but she was all-in regarding him. She nodded, kissed him softly on the cheek, and then pulled back and headed for her room.
“Thank you,” Birch said to her back.
“For what?” She glanced over her shoulder at him. He cut a mighty attractive picture with no shirt on and his muscular chest and abdomen on display for her.
“For walking away. I didn’t know if I could walk you to your room and not attack that appetizing mouth of yours.”
She nodded, fire filling her.
“And for being so understanding.”
She knew he meant the issue with him dating an actress and betraying his brother. She didn’t know that she was that understanding but she was trying. “I’m trying,” she said softly.
“That’s all I could ask. Goodnight, Ally.” His gaze swept over her and filled her with warmth and longing. She turned and scuttled out of the door before she turned around and gave in to her desires to tackle him back into the bed.