“Terrified that I’ll never get enough of you.” His beautiful lips turn up in the most alluring smile.
“I guess I’d better stay then.” I swallow down…stuff, and reabsorb the dozens of questions I have rolling around in my overanalyzing head.
Taking my hand, he pulls me gently toward the front door. “I’m glad.”
“Should I tell you that I spent the entire walk back here worried that you didn’t want me to come inside? Does that make me sound like a nut case?” Why can’t I keep anything to myself?
He punches a code into the front door, and the lock clicks open. He swings the door in but holds me on the threshold. “Just be yourself, Grace. Ask the questions rolling around in that gorgeous head of yours. I promise I like the honesty so much more than you being uncertain of me.”
“Okay.” Why does this take my breath away? No one likes to be questioned. People like to play games and see what the other person does, or how they react. “You’re sure you will still like honest when I ask you why you’re into me?”
He grins like I’ve asked the best question. Flipping on the foyer lights, he pulls me inside and closes the door. “I’ll still like honest.” He kisses my nose. “There are too many reasons to list before morning.”
I’m a little overwhelmed, my heart is pounding, but I follow him through the adorable house. It’s been remodeled. The modern kitchen only has a few corbels and a stucco vent hood to keep the cottage charm. White cabinets that reach the ceiling and speckled dark brown countertops. It’s beautiful. “Did this have a bunch of walls when you bought it?”
He takes my little leather clutch from my grip and puts it on the counter. “It did. I remodeled. Do you like it?”
“I love it. What does your aunt think?” I let him pull me into a hug and tuck my head under his chin.
“She’s a bit of a hippie. Any change is good as long as the chi is flowing.” There’s joy in his voice.
“Is she why you came out to California?” I wrap my arms around his broad back.
Breaking the embrace, he kisses my nose and takes my hand. “I came out to see her for a vacation after culinary school. I’d been out many times as a kid. Manny needed help in the kitchen, so I cooked there for a few months. Then I got a job at a fancy place in LA. Then I called my mom and told her I wasn’t planning to come home.”
“I like that you answer whatever I ask.” I press my lips to his neck, and his spicy scent of cologne is the same as on our first date. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it. “I like the way you smell.”
He laughs. “I like the way you smell too. Want to see the rest? I have three bedrooms. One I use as my office.”
The office and guest bedroom are both smaller rooms that share a hall bath. At the end of the hall, he opens the main bedroom door. Three gray walls and one navy with a king bed on it. A twelve-foot sliding glass door opens to a back patio, where a pool glistens in the moonlight.
“Holy shit, Landon. You live in paradise.” I practically float over to the glass doors.
His arms circle me, and he pulls my back against his front. He presses his cock against my ass, and I’m alive with desire. “If you want, I’ll open a bottle of wine, and we can sit out there and talk.”
Pressing my ass backward, I rub back and forth. “How about you show me your shower, and we make love, and then wine and moon watching.”
His shaft jerks like it’s a good idea. Holding me close, he adjusts so he’s nestled between my ass cheeks. “I promise I have more than one condom tonight.”
I’ve never wanted to be naked so badly in my entire life. “You didn’t hear any complaints last night, did you?”
“No, but there should have been. You’re too nice.” He turns me in his arms. “You should be fussed over and taken care of.” He combs my hair away from my face and cups the back of my head so he can press kisses along my jaw and cheek.
“I can take care of myself.” It comes out breathy instead of strong, as I intended.
“Of course you can, but spoiling you would be so much pleasure, I hope you’ll indulge me from time to time.”
Who says that? What kind of man means that? More importantly, how do I keep him? Shit. I’m in trouble. “You could grab the bag from my trunk for me if you want to start now.”
“You brought a bag?” The excitement in his voice is sexy as hell.
I shrug, but suddenly feel shy. “Just in case.”
He’s grinning so wide it’s contagious. “The keys are in your purse?”
I nod.
Lowering his mouth to mine, he draws my bottom lip through his. His tongue skims the crease and probes deeper.