Page 122 of 10 Rings I Hate About You
“I don’t know.” I turned onto the narrow alley behind Sacred Serenity. “It was just one night, but things feel … different.”
“Better different or terrifying different?”
“Mostly better. Some terrifying.”
“Then don’t overthink it,” he said easily, “I know you like to define things and organize them into neat categories, but maybe let this one breathe.”
“I’ll talk to her tonight.”
“Talk, sure. But don’t push for some big relationship summit. If you want to see her again, tell her that. You don’t have to label things if neither of you is ready.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“I hate that you’re being so reasonable.”
“I contain layers.”
I laughed as I pulled into a spot behind Sacred Serenity. “I’m here. Thanks for your help.”
“No problem. Let Delaney know I’ll send someone over tonight.”
“Appreciate it.”
I hung up and headed for the stairs leading to Delaney’s apartment. The light above the door was already on. I knocked once.
The door opened right away.
“Hi,” she said. The word came out soft. Shy almost.
My brain stalled for a second.
Delaney Hart—who’d spent the majority of my life verbally sparring with me like it was an Olympic sport—looked nervous.
This version of us—without the armor, without the harsh words—had quickly become the one of us I hadn’t known I was allowed to want.
“Hi, “ I said.
My hand slid to the back of her neck, my fingers threaded through her hair, and I tugged her toward me.
Her lips eagerly met mine.
The kiss deepened instantly—open, familiar in a way that surprised me. Her arms wrapped around my waist, and she moaned quietly against my mouth. A sound that sent heat straight down my spine.
I gripped her hip, then lower.
When my palm caressed the soft curve of her ass, a rough groan escaped my throat.
Her answering moans only encouraged me.
I nipped her lower lip, soothing the bite with my tongue before forcing myself to pull back.
Her eyes blinked up at me, hazy and dark with need.
I suspected mine looked the same.
Her hands slid up to rest on my chest. “That was a very nice hello.”
I grinned, even as I forced my hands to behave themselves. If I didn’t step back soon, we were absolutely not leaving this apartment tonight. “Do you need to get anything before we leave?”
