“Ava?” Drew rubbed my back. I didn’t miss the note of concern in his strong yet soft voice.
We were on my bed watchingThe Bodyguardbecause Nana refused to give up the TV in the living room. It was better this way, private and intimate with us stretched out. My head was on Drew’s firm chest, and one of my legs was draped over his. He’d held me through the whole movie, not complaining as some guys might during a “chick flick.”
“The end is heartbreaking. After everything they went through, how could they give each other up?”
He pressed his lips to my head. “They’re idiots.”
I giggled a little and lifted my head. “They are, aren’t they?”
He wiped a stray tear streaking down my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I’d never give up the woman I loved.” He lifted my chin with his finger and lowered his lips to mine. “Never.”
Was he telling me something? Was I the woman he loved? Would he never let me go… ever?
Butterflies danced in my stomach as we slowly kissed through the end credits. Whitney Houston belted out “I Will Always Love You.” It was romantic and passionate. I wouldn’t ever forget tonight.
His fingers slipped into my hair at the same time his tongue prodded my lips. I opened my mouth, granting him access. We hadn’t kissed like this the other times.
I liked it a lot.
Drew was hesitant as if testing me, waiting to see if I’d pull away or freak out. He didn’t need to worry. I didn’t have an ounce of anxiety or fear.
But again, he probably wouldn’t go any further without my explicit approval.
“I’m okay,” I whispered, then nibbled on his bottom lip. “Really okay.”
He groaned, delving his tongue into my mouth and curling it with mine. We went at each other like the world might end, stealing the air from each other’s lungs. His sexy scruff scratched my chin, and his nose bumped into mine. I loved how much he wanted me, how he couldn’t get enough of me.
His hand went behind my knee, then he pulled me so I was astride his lap. I gasped into his mouth when my pussy tingled with sensations I hadn’t felt before.
Desire rushed through me, then heat exploded between us. I was lost in Drew, lost in his hands on my hips and him between my legs. I rubbed against his hard length.
He suddenly stopped me.
I bit my bottom lip. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just—”
He took my face into his hands. “You surprised me, but don’t think for a second that I don’t want you.”
“I surprised myself.” I pushed my body against his. “Maybe we should slow down.” I inhaled a deep breath to calm my excitement.
“Whatever you want.” His heart thumped against my chest. Clearly, I’d gotten him worked up, and I felt bad about it.
“How many times have you watched that movie?”
I snuggled my face into his neck. “Dozens of times.”
“But it guts you.”
“And it also makes me swoon. He was her bodyguard, her protector. Most women dream of having a man like that.”
“I’m so fucking sorry I didn’t protect you.”
My heart stopped. We hadn’t talked about the night my life had changed, but I could do this. I had been doing it with my therapist for more than a year.
I pressed my lips to his neck and rubbed circles on his muscular chest with my fingertips. “What do you remember?”
“We don’t have to talk about it. I just wanted to apologize for failing you.”
I propped myself up and saw his tormented expression. “You didn’t fail me.”