“She’s got all of you, though.”
“True, but things will be easier for her once the tour is over. This past year has been very intense for her. We try to be there for her for anything she needs, but it’s not the same.”
I wondered what it must feel like to have such a big family that loved you unconditionally. I pouted at the empty plate. I wanted to hear more about him, and Sophie, and his parents, and anything else he wanted to tell me.
"They don't have a good dessert, but I do have some cheesecake at home.”
Holy shit, what did I just do? I was not myself around Dylan. Or rather, I was—a bolder, flirtier version of myself.
“The sun has already set, but if we go up on my balcony, we can still see the last rays," I added quickly.
He laughed at me in surprise, as if he weren’t expecting this. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it either. I was sure it wasn't a good idea to spend more time with him, especially in my apartment. But I wasn't ready for our evening to end.
"That sounds great," he said. "Let me get the check."
"No, no, I invited you, remember?"
"Mel, that's not going to happen." He burned me with his gaze. I crossed my legs under the table, accidentally touching his thigh. The look in his eyes turned almost feral.
"Hell yes it is. You bought Dad's medicine, which you’re not even letting me pay for, so I'm paying for dinner." You’d think I’d just told him something awful by the way his gaze studied mine, unflinching. He really liked doing things on his own terms—but so did I.
"Okay. Thank you for the invitation. The next dinner is on me."
I tried to hide my smile as I flagged down the waiter. I paid quickly, noticing a few couples were waiting for a table.
"How far is your place?" Dylan asked as we stepped into the evening air. It hadn't cooled at all. But then again, we'd only been inside for about forty minutes.
"It's five minutes away."
We walked side by side, and I pointed out the gingerbread house to him.
“They've been trying to sell it for a few years, but I guess the price is too high.”
"It looks exciting," he admitted. "Why don't they make it a museum?”
I shrugged. "I don't know. I would love to see the inside.”
I pointed to a few more buildings as we walked by them, right until we arrived in front of my townhouse.
"We're here," I said. "Come on, let's go up. I live on the second floor."
I walked in front of him as we climbed the stairs. I could feel him right behind me. The heat of his body was turning my knees weak. I was starting to have doubts. Had this been a crazy idea? We could barely keep our hands off each other in public, and we’d failed inside his apartment. I wasn’t sure we were going to fare any better in mine.
Chapter Twelve
Mel
Unlocking the door, I stepped inside, closing it after him.
"It's small. I only have one bedroom. And the balcony is just off the living room." I pointed to the door next to the TV that led out onto the balcony. "Do you want wine? I have a great chardonnay."
"Sure."
"Okay. You can go outside, and I'll be right there with the cheesecake, two glasses, and a bottle."
“I'll help you."
We went into the kitchen, which was next to the living room. It was small with a few cabinets and a little stove, refrigerator, and sink, but it was enough for me. I gave him the wine bottle to open and also two glasses.
While he poured the wine, I took my phone out of my bag. I meant to check when the actual sunset time was, because I thought it was half an hour ago, and there was still a lot of light. I tapped the screen of my phone, and the last apps I used came up. I accidentally tapped the one for my audiobook, and it started playing.
Oh no!
I stopped it immediately. But not before the words "wrapped my hand around his cock" rang loud and clear in my kitchen. Thank God the windows were closed.
Dylan stopped in the act of pouring wine. He set the bottle on the counter, looking up at me. His eyes were fierce and full of steam.
"What was that?" he asked. The look on his face made me laugh.
"An audiobook," I said casually. I licked my lips, feeling the tension between us thickening. "Yes, I like steamy books. I like to read them, and I like to listen to them, okay? The steamier, the better. There, it's out there. Don't judge me."
"I'm not judging. It's sexy as fuck. I was barely able to keep my thoughts in line before now. It's just....” He took a deep breath, coming closer, tilting toward me. “I want you, Mel. Fuck, how I want you. Tell me to go, and I'll leave.”
"I don't want you to leave," I whispered.
He grinned. "You're making it hard for me to help you keep your resolution."
"Now you've suddenly decided you want to help?" I teased. “After breaking through every defense?”
He brought a hand to my face, pressing his thumb on the bow of my upper lip. "I want you, Mel. So damn much."
Everything inside me tightened. "I want you too. I can't think about anything else."
He kissed me, dirty and wet, and desire spread through me like wildfire. I wasn't going to let this man go anywhere tonight. I wanted him for me. I wanted to explore every delicious inch and touch him too. I didn't want to leave any part of Dylan Gallagher unexplored. If I only had one night, I was going to make it count.
I pushed his suit jacket off, then tore at the buttons of his shirt desperately, managing to take them off, and then pushed his shirt down his muscular arms. Once it was on the floor, I ran my hands over his arms and his chest, placing a quick kiss right on his pecs, lowering myself in a straight line. Looking up, I grinned. "I was right about the six-pack."
He pulled me up, tugging my dress over my head. I was pleased that I put on super-sexy underwear. I liked wearing sensual lingerie after spending most of my day in workout clothes, but this was downright sinful. I was wearing red lace underwear. My bra had a clasp in the middle, and my panties had bows at the sides. If I tugged at them, they would drop.
"Fuck," he exclaimed, looking me up and down. Cupping one breast over the bra, he nudged my legs wide apart with his knee and brought his other hand between my thighs. When he touched two fingers over the fabric of my panties, I gasped. The contact of the fabric against my sensitive skin was too much.
I buckled over, resting my forehead on his chest. He kissed my shoulder and brought one hand up my back. There was something tender about the gesture, and I yearned for more. I looked up at him, tugging at his belt. I needed to take it off. I needed to take all his clothes off. I wanted this man desperately; I’d never wanted anything else more.
Before I pushed down his pants, he grabbed his wallet and took a condom out of it, which turned me on even more. After I rid him of his pants and boxers, I was about to tease him about still leaving my lingerie on, but I didn't get the chance because he sealed his mouth over mine and lifted me in his arms by my ass cheeks. My center was rubbing against his erection. I gasped. I wanted the fabric out of the way, needing skin-on-skin contact. He walked with me through the apartment while I pointed the way to the bedroom. He was so strong, carrying me like this. I ran my palms over his arms, feeling how hard his muscles were contracting to keep me up.