Page 41 of Worth the Try
He brightens, clearly relieved at the topic change. “Of course. How is that coming?”
“Good. Turns out all those years of internet dives and Pinterest boards are really coming in handy,” I joke. But they really were. I have entire digital folders full of ideas based on country, city, vibe, activities… Honestly, I’m proud of myself.
“That’s really wonderful,” he says earnestly. Then he closes the distance between us in three long strides and reaches for my hand, threading his fingers into mine. He smiles down at me, theworry I’d seen moments ago nowhere to be found. “Let me walk you home?”
I nod. “That’d be nice, thank you.”
The walk is two minutes, and he holds my hand the entire time. At the door, he stops, studying me in the near-dark. “Did you like the tub?”
I laugh, totally caught off guard by the question. “Yeah,” I answer. “It’s nice. Big.”
His lips quirk up. “That it is.” Then he lifts his hand and cradles my face, his thumb caressing my jaw. “Can I kiss you again?”
With a smile, I wrap my hands around his neck. “You don’t have to ask, you know.”
He winces. “I do. It’s been drilled into me.”
“Because you’re a fancy pro athlete?” I tease.
His lips quirk up. “Because my mom wasn’t about to have her boy be an asshole. Her words, not mine.”
I laugh. “Sounds like an amazing woman.”
His eyes are warm as they study me. “She is.”
I hum and tap my lips with my finger, delighting in the way his gaze tracks the move. “How about this: you have permission to kiss me from here on out. Does that help?”
His voice is deep when he answers. “It does.”
And with that, he leans down as I tip up on my toes. My body lights up as our lips touch, and I can’t help the sigh that escapes.
His hand moves down, fingers caressing my neck and making me shiver in delight. “So responsive,” he murmurs.
You have no idea, I think, tugging him closer. His mouth opens, and our tongues meet. God, he’s such a good kisser, attentive, deepening and easing back, exploring and tasting, then pulling away to kiss my neck, nipping my bare shoulder and following it with a lick.
My hands clench at his waist, and he walks us to the door, pushing my back against the wood and lifting me a second later. My legs wrap around him instinctively, and his cock presses against my core. Ohmygod.
I whimper, and he growls. “Fuck, Elle, you…” He trails off, exhaling roughly before taking my mouth again. There’s no more hesitation as he plunders it, claiming it as his with every stroke and nip.
I writhe against him, and he groans, his hands digging into my bottom so hard that I think they’ll leave bruises.
God, I hope they do.
My core pulses with need, and I swirl my hips. I need…Ineed.
“Elle,” he murmurs again, kissing down my neck and sucking softly at the delicate skin. “You taste so good.” He eases the pressure of his hands on me, and I slow my rocking. I don’t want to stop, but he’s not ready. That much is clear.
He lowers me to the ground, then cages me with his arms, his eyes blown with lust.
Well, at least it’s not just me.
“Let me take you on a date,” he says.
I stare. “A…date?”
“On Friday. I’ll get Sharon to watch Rosie overnight. She’s been asking to see her anyway, so this would be perfect.” He clears his throat. “I mean. Not—not that I’m expecting anything by saying she’ll watch her overnight. I just?—”
I press a finger to his lips. “Yes.”
