When he smiles, those dimples pop, and my heart dives to my feet. Oh, Lord, look out. I’m screwed. I have more than a case of puppy lust for the man. What am I going to do?
Damon
Although most of the snow has melted, the tops of the mountains remain dotted in white. The majestic evergreen trees line the crevices and reach to the sky.
This is one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve seen in the states, and it’s a great place to spend a fantasy weekend. A location where Dalilah and I can pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist. Because how else can I explain how easy it is to talk to her.
Since she came to my room three hours before, we’ve chatted non-stop about everything from my relationship with Brandi to her college classes. I’m comfortable talking to her, and the more time we spend together, the more I wish the weekend could last forever. But it can’t. Our time is predestined to end.
A yellow bird with black wings flies low overhead as it searches for food. It lands on a tree in the courtyard below. Other birds’ tweet and sing songs to each other in the distance.
From our floor, we can’t hear any of the other patrons down below. No other guests have ventured out onto their balconies. Instead, we’re in our own cocoon of perfection.
It would have been simple to pull her into my arms as we sat on the sofa, but I’d remained on my side and she on hers. Even if every second had been torture. Her plump lips had begged for my mouth to capture them again.
Kissing her is pure heaven. How would she feel as I sink my cock into her molten depths? Fuck. I shudder as the cool breeze on the balcony penetrates my shorts and causes goosebumps to line my arms. It would be fanfuckingtastic.
The thought of it had kept me up all night. I want her in ways I’d never desired another person. But it’s wrong. She has her whole life in front of her, and I’m marching toward old age. I’ve got nothing to offer a woman as perfect as she is.
She takes a bite of salad. What’s she thinking? Does she feel the same connection, or is she only enjoying the pristine view? Damn. I shake my head. I’m losing my mind.
In the momentary silence, I drift back to when Karissa and Logan were young. If I had it to do all over again, would I? Their sweet faces beaming when Santa brought them presents. The gaps in their smiles when their teeth fell out. All the Band-Aids I used to patch their scrapes and bruises.
I was too young to do it alone. If I would change anything, I’d delay parenthood five to ten years; like I hope Karissa and Decker will wait. They need to enjoy each other before becoming burdened with little humans that alter their future. More importantly, I wouldn’t have done it alone. I would have found someone like Dalilah.
“What are you thinking about?”
I press my lips together. “It’s nothing. I was taking a trip down memory lane.” Hell, she doesn’t want to hear my melancholy thoughts about parenting. She’s busy finishing college and picking what career she wants to pursue.
After wiping my hands on a napkin, I shove my chair back. It’s time to get ready for the wedding and return to reality. “Thanks for spending the day with me. It was nice.”
“Humph.” She narrows her eyes and glowers.
“What?” Shit. What did I say? Women should come with an instruction manual. I’ve been on my best behavior all day. I haven’t stared at her chest. Drooled on her. Or pinned her against the wall. I consider all those to be an enormous win on my behalf. I’m rocking this mature, responsible behavior thing.
“Nice?”
“What’s wrong with nice?”
“I don’t want to be nice.” She shoves her chair back, stands, and crosses her arms.
“What?” What the fuck is wrong with me? I can only say ‘what’?
“I. Don’t. Want. To. Be. Nice.” A sheen of tears fills her eyes. “I’m tired of being nice. I want to enjoy myself for once.” She waves her hands in the air. “Why can’t a good girl do something reckless and have crazy sex for once?”
I cough. “Well…”
“See.” As her teeth grind together, her jaw tics.
“What?” Shit, I repeated it again. All day, she’s been perfectly calm and rational. Now, it’s like a powder keg went off inside her.
She waves her hands toward the mountains. “We’re in the perfect place. It’s romantic. We’ve been alone all day. And you…” Her eyes fill with fire. “You made no moves toward me.”
“I see.” My heart thuds in my chest. “Did you want me to?”
“What the fuck?” Her tiny hands ball into fists at her sides. “I was raised to be a lady. I can’t throw myself at you and beg you to make love to me.”
Holy shit. My cock strains against my jogging shorts. We’ve spent the day talking when I could have been ravishing her sweet body? I’m a total moron. Why didn’t I realize she was waiting for me to make a move?
Why? Because I’m used to older women who have no morals or filter chasing after me. I’ve spent years beating them off with clubs. Then, when a nice, wholesome woman shows up at my door, I think she only wants to hang out and be pen pals.
“Listen.” I raise my hands in defense. “I wasn’t expecting you to be interested in someone like me.”
“Someone like you?” She stares at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“Yes, someone older. Old enough to be your father.”
She rolls her eyes. “My father is way older than you.”
“At least that is one point in my favor.” I nod and feel vaguely relieved at her confession. “You aren’t here to get back at your dad for never paying attention to you, are you?”
She snorts. “Not hardly. My dad has always been stuck up my ass. If he…” She trails off and looks over to the mountains. “Never mind.”
My hands shake as I try to figure out how to navigate this conversation without ruining the opportunity to be with her, because I would do anything to kiss her again. “So, what…” I shove my hands into the pockets of my shorts. “What is ‘this’?”
She bites her bottom lip and then inhales. “I realize we’re from two different places, so I don’t expect you to follow me home Sunday night.” Her eyes meet mine. “I’m not looking for a long-term commitment, but I’d like to experience one amazing night with no worries about the future.” She shakes her head. “I’ve always been the good girl that never takes risks. I want to do something irresponsible.”
I move into her space and pull my hands out of my shorts. “One night? No commitments?”
“Yes.” Her eyes settle on my mouth.
Hell, any other woman, and those words would have been music to my ears. However, the ease in which she agrees to spend one night with me and one night only grates on my nerves. I want to make love to her, but a part of me wants her to beg me to follow her home. Wherever that is. I don’t want her to be able to get enough of me, but I’ll take what I can get.
“Then, let’s spend one evening in heaven before the real world intrudes.” I place my hands on her hips and pull her against my body.
“Yes.”
The quick hitch of her breath leaves my body tense and full of need. I want to make love to her. Now. And forget about the wedding, but I can’t.