She arched her back toward me, wanting closer. When she wrapped her other leg around my hip, all self-control was lost.
“Fuck …” Because I wanted a taste of her body. Just a little taste.
I disconnected my lips from hers and trailed a path of kisses down her neck, my hands pushing up her shirt.
My breathing was labored, heavy with want. I met her eyes fully, wanting her permission … permission to worship her body with my mouth.
She bit her lip seductively and that was my undoing.
It was glorious, watching her come apart. Again.
CHAPTER33
SYDNEY
It’d beenthree days since Vegas, and our relationship—or whatever was happening between Austin and me—had gone from zero to one hundred. Every evening after work, I’d spend time with him—on his bed, in his arms.
Most nights were the same—talking, kissing, talking some more. What was consistent were the heavy make-out sessions until we were both breathless and panting. I didn’t know what I was waiting for or why he’d stop before it went too far.
Still, I was happy, and when I was with Austin, the whole world—even my family and obligations—seemed to disappear. It was only us.
“Where are we going?” he asked as I drove us to our destination.
I had plans, plans for this man—the man who had fulfilled some things on my list and wanted to help me complete them all. From reminding me to go for what I wanted at work, to pushing me to run and train for the marathon, to the unbelievable night in Vegas, watching Hawke Calvin belt his soulful tunes.
Today was his day. I wanted to make him feel as special as he had made me feel.
I parked by Timson Lake. I’d researched the perfect location for days. I stepped out of the car, and Austin followed, scratching his head. He was bundled up because I’d made sure of it.
“What are we doing out here?” he asked. A glimmer of a curious smile surfaced. “If you are taking me out for a picnic date, I’d say it’s a little too cold.”
My smile was big and wide as I walked toward the trunk. “It’s kinda like a picnic, except I’m assuming, later, we’ll have to cook our food.”
He quirked an eyebrow, confused.
When I popped open my trunk, I jumped up and down twice. “We are going ice fishing! EEEK!” I clapped my hands together in ultimate joy, though Austin seemed as though he was still confused.
He rubbed at his chin. “Ice fishing?”
Well, crap. Maybe this was a bad idea.
The smile slipped from my face. “You said that you’d done almost everything you’d ever wanted to. That you’d only missed out on things that boys did with their dads, and, well …”
Realization hit him because his facial features softened, and he erased the space between us and reached for my gloved hand. “You did all of this”—he motioned toward my trunk full of fishing gear—“for me?” he asked, his voice shaky.
“Well, yeah.” For a tiny moment, I was worried and nervous that this was a bad idea, given the change in his demeanor. Still, I forged forward. “You helped me with my list, encouraging me to become more assertive at work and achieving all those things I’d forgotten I wanted to do, and I thought … I wanted to do the same for you. And I guess this was all I could think of.”
Without warning, he tugged me forward, and then his hands were around me, which made me laugh.
“I’m guessing you like my idea.”
He was silent for a beat.
“Or we can do something else …”
“I love your idea. It’s perfect.” He kissed the top of my head before pulling back. “You’re perfect.”
My grin returned. “Well, I can be pretty dang awesome when I want to be.”