Page 120 of Big Stick Energy
I’ve been holding myself back since I stepped through the door, but now I finally lean in and kiss her on the jaw. Her skin is warm and soft against my lips, and I breathe her in. “I know you’re nervous about me and my intentions. I understand why. But either you’re willing to try, or you’re not. There’s nothing else I can do to prove that I’m serious about you.”
“I need to… take it slow,” she says softly, her breath hitching slightly when I press another kiss just below her ear.
“Okay,” I say, even as my body responds to her nearness. “You’re in charge of how this works.”
“Thank you.” She leans her forehead against my shoulder, and I can feel the tension leaving her body. “I admit—I keep pointing out how you never date anyone for long, but I don’t, either.”
I feel a smile spreading across my face as I run my hand up herback, feeling the delicate knobs of her spine through her shirt. “We’re rookies at this. Like Calder—clueless but eager.”
“We’re notthatclueless.” She lifts her head and laughs. “The other day, he asked me why everyone in New York walks so fast.Are they all late for something?”
I snort out a laugh. This is what I missed—sharing our private analysis of the rest of the world. “I love hearing your thoughts, especially about the numbskulls we work with.”
Her expression grows serious, though. “Is it weird if I’m not ready to hear what the numbskulls think about us, though? I don’t like people knowing my private business. Especially my boss.”
“Ah.” This is the part of the puzzle that I don’t know how to solve. “We can do this however you want. I’ll follow your lead at work.”
“It’s nobody’s business but ours,” she says firmly. “And, well, the numbskulls that live on the same floor of your apartment building. Can Chase and DeLuca keep things quiet for a little while?”
“Sure they can.” I wrap an arm around her, pulling her closer. The heat between us is building, and I can see the awareness flickering in her eyes. “Give me a chance, Darcy. I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Will you?” She gives me a teasing smile, her fingers finding the hem of my shirt and brushing against the skin of my stomach.
“Oh yeah.” The simple touch sends electricity shooting through me, and I can’t wait any longer. I scoop her off the couch and stand up, her body fitting perfectly against mine. “Let’s have a tour of your bedroom.”
“I thought I was in charge?” she says as I carry her toward the rear of the apartment, but her voice is breathless now, and her arms wind around my neck.
“You’re in charge when we have our clothes on. This part is my domain.” I pause in the hallway to press her back against the wall, my mouth finding that sensitive spot on her neck that makes her gasp.
“Oh.” Her body presses closer to mine, her hips shifting against me in a way that makes my vision blur. “What did you have in mind? I have to be careful of my hand.”
“Your hand will be fine—I’m an expert,” I tell her, my voice rough with want. “I’m going to take very good care of you.”
And I do. Which means keeping her here in the hallway a little too long and kissing her like the world is ending. Until we’re both panting and desperate.
Only then do I set her down and follow her into the bedroom, where I discover that Darcy’s bed is a low-to-the-floor contemporary number. In one glance, I form a very erotic plan, my eyes roving down her body. “Oh, look how easily this skirt comes off,” I say, giving it a quick tug. It falls to the floor. “Almost like you missed me.”
“The ego on you! My cast makes buttons difficult,” she says. But this argument seems a little hollow since her good hand is currently taking an intricate tour of my chest.
“Kendrick,” I say seriously. “I’ll make myself available to undo your buttons at any time.”
“Big of you.”
“Oh, I am.” I nudge my erection into her belly so she knows just how big. “Are there condoms in this room somewhere?”
“Um… probably? In the bedside table.” She gives me a hot kiss and then fumbles with the drawstring on my shorts.
“I’ll get that,” I whisper. “Lie down.”
She does, and I quickly strip down to nothing but heated skin and big ideas. While she watches me with hungry eyes.
“Knew you missed me,” I say smugly. “Can I lift your shirt off if I’m careful of your arm?”
In answer, she sits up and does it for me. Then she kicks off her panties.
In a hot second, I’m covering her body with mine. It feels like coming home. Our kisses are bottomless, and our hands (three of them, anyway) rove like we’ve just returned from the wars.
“Hurry,” Darcy says, rubbing against me like a cat.
