“I have to admit,” Violet began once they were in his car and heading back to his place, “when they first walked over to the table and introduced themselves, I was a little peeved.”
That was surprising.
“Really? Why?”
Reaching over, she took one of his hands in hers and let out a soft sigh. “We already don’t get a lot of time to ourselves, and I selfishly wanted to have you all to myself tonight.”
“Can I let you in on a secret?” he asked.
“Of course.”
“I was kind of pissed at them, too. And for the same reason.”
“Great minds,” she said, her voice all soft and sultry. “I bet we’re both thinking the same thing now too.”
“Oh, yeah? What are you thinking?”
“Hmm…I’m thinking how I can’t wait to get back to your place and take off these sandals.”
“Not…quite what I was thinking…”
“And then I’m going to help you off with your shirt.”
“Keep going…”
“Then I’m hoping you’ll help me with mine.”
“That is something I would totally do…”
“I imagine we’ll be doing that as we cross the living room, and we’ll keep stripping–could potentially be almost naked by the time we got to your bed.” She looked over at him and winked. “How did I do? Are we on the same page?”
Hunter’s answer was a husky laugh and to hit the gas pedal a little harder.
By the time they were parked in the driveway, he could barely wait to touch her.
“Hunter…”
“Out of the car, Violet,” he commanded, his voice foreign to his own ears. He heard her soft hiss of breath before she did as he said. He knew if he touched her before they got in the house, his neighbors would quite possibly get a bit of a show.
His hand shook as he tried to get the key in the lock, but once the door opened and Violet walked inside with him hot on her heels, he slammed the door so hard the walls shook. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her with his need and the intensity of it, but when she turned and looked at him, he saw he had nothing to worry about.
Her sandals came off, and she gently kicked them toward the wall. Then her smile turned a little wicked as she slowly walked over to him. Toe to toe, her warm hands skimmed under his shirt and slid it up and over his head, tossing it on top of the sandals.
“You have the sexiest chest I have ever seen,” she whispered before placing kisses along his pecs. “So damn sexy.” Her tongue traced a lazy circle around his nipple and that was all he could take.
Scooping Violet up in his arms, he stalked to the bedroom and kicked the door closed behind him.
“I thought we were going to…”
But he never let her finish. His lips captured hers in a kiss that was a little raw, a little dirty, and so full of need it shocked him. Down on the bed, his body covered hers, and it seemed like hours passed before he finally raised his head.
“It scares me how much I want you, Violet,” he admitted gruffly. “All night it made me crazy thinking about how much I wanted to get us home so I could have you here like this.”
Her nails raked through his hair as her tongue slowly traced her lips. “I feel the same way, Hunter. I would have been fine staying in and ordering pizza if it meant being here like this with you.” She paused, her eyes scanning his face. “Are we crazy?”
“No. We’re just two people who know exactly what we want.” Then he stopped himself. “And as much as I love having you in my bed and making love with you, it’s…I mean, it’s not just…” And dammit, he couldn’t seem to get the words out.
Fortunately, she didn’t have the same issue.
“It’s just being together,” she said softly. “I love talking with you, laughing with you, and just being with you when we’re not doing anything except sitting together and watching TV. I’m comfortable with you, Hunter, and…I think you’re comfortable with me.”
More than you know…
They stayed like that–with Hunter braced above her, staring down into those beautiful dark eyes–and Violet’s soft hands gently caressing him everyplace she could reach. Where moments ago he felt frantic and out of control, now he found himself wanting to give her everything he had–to show her with actions how he felt about her.
To make her feel what he felt.
To want what he wanted.
And to make her wish it never had to end.
Nine
The first time Violet woke up the next morning, it was to Hunter kissing his way down her body. He made love to her, and they were both a little sleepy, but it was slow and sweet and oh-so-good.
The next time she woke up, it was to breakfast in bed.
And for a moment, she seriously thought she was dreaming because never in her life had anyone done anything like this for her.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Hunter said as he carefully placed a tray over her lap. “I thought you might be hungry.”
Groggily, she sat up and did her best to take the sheet with her–hot coffee and bare breasts while haphazardly propped against pillows were not a good combination.
“What’s all this?” Pushing her hair away from her face, she did her best to focus on all the food in front of her. Waffles, bacon, juice, coffee, and fresh strawberries. Was this man for real?
“I’m used to getting up early, and, on the weekends, Eli and I usually make waffles together. I thought you might enjoy them.”
She was slowly waking up a little more and still couldn’t believe this was happening. Looking up at him, she smiled and thanked him. “I hope you’re going to join me.”
Hunter was shirtless and wearing a pair of faded jeans and looked good enough to eat.
After the waffles and strawberries, of course.
Violet held onto the tray as Hunter carefully climbed onto the bed beside her. They each took their coffee mugs and placed them on the bedside tables to avoid any spillage. She was ready to dig in when she turned and looked at him, suddenly feeling a little overcome with emotion. “Thank you,” she whispered.
The look on his face was one of sweet confusion. Like he couldn’t understand why she was getting choked up over waffles. Reaching up, he caressed her cheek. “Hey. You okay?”
Nodding and forcing herself not to embarrass herself by crying, she said, “It’s just…I’ve never had breakfast in bed before.” Then she gave a careless shrug. “I always thought it was something you saw in movies or on Mother’s Day commercials. Never thought it was a real thing.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she looked away and put her attention on the food in front of her. “I can’t believe you had time to make all this. What time did you get up?”
But Hunter wasn’t fooled. It just took the touch of his hand on her cheek again to make her look at him. He didn’t say a word, but he did lean in and kissed her.
Slowly.
Thoroughly.
To the point that their breakfast was on the verge of getting cold.
When he finally broke the kiss, they were both a little breathless, but also both aware of how they needed to eat.