Chapter Ten
It grew late as we kissed and tried to focus on the late night television before he gave me a long look. “I don’t want you to leave.”
My eyes widened, and I leaned back. “Lance, I…”
“I’m not asking for anything, not yet. Your speed. I just don’t want you to leave. This feels nice,” Lance told me and I looked around the room.
“The couch is comfortable,” I suggested before I blushed. “Oh my word, that sounds so bad. I just don’t want to leave, either.”
We agreed to slow things down a little, and I went home that night with an invitation to have lunch the following day. The kiss that he gave me before I walked away burned my lips and made a permanent memory in my heart before I stumbled back to Irene’s house.
What was I doing? Was this wrong? Was this right?
I changed into a sleep shirt, dropped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.
Never had I wanted a kiss from a man before. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I found myself wanting nothing more from them at all. The way that Lance kissed me was gentle and soft and hardly pushy at all. My body wanted more as our lips met and our tongues danced together. My skin heated up to the point of burning, and I felt things inside that were almost entirely new to me.
I heard my phone vibrate on the table by the bed and reached for it with a smile.
Lance: I wish you were here.
Me: It’s only been a few moments, Lance.
Lance: I miss your lips already.
Me: Can I be honest with you?
I was so scared to send that, but I’d feel better if I was up front with Lance from the beginning.
Lance: Sure, what is it?
I took a deep breath.
Me: That wasn’t my first kiss, but anything else would be a first for me. Does that bother you at all?
That was so scary, and I waited with bated breath for his response.
Lance: No, Brie. That’s sweet and smart, and I’ll give you all of the time in the world to make that decision.
Thank goodness.
Me: You’re making me think it over with the way you make me feel.
Lance: Come back over and let me hold you. No pressure. I just want to feel you in my arms.
Me: Yeah?
Lance: My bedroom door is the French door just across the yard from yours. I’ve seen you outside.
Me: I’ll be there in a minute.
I took a deep breath and held in the scream that was ready to come out. I changed into leggings and another shirt, slipping my feet into the same sandals before I left through the front door and made sure that it was locked. I felt like I was in high school chasing after my first crush. I noticed the doors that he’d indicated opening as I approached and Lance stepping outside in a pair of shorts. I lost all train of thought for a moment. “Do you know how handsome you are?” I asked him as he pulled me into his arms.
“I don’t know about that,” Lance told me as he looked down at me and kissed me. He grinned as he took my hand and pulled me into his room. “I just saw the blinds move. I think we’re busted.”
“Oh no! What must they think of me?” I asked as he closed and locked his door.
“You said that she wanted this,” he reminded me as I stared at him.
“It looks like I’m here to… you know!” I told him. Lance laughed.
“Mike and Irene know that I’ll take care of you, and so do you,” he said and brought his lips down to mine. I shut up and kissed him back. He covered my cheeks and lips with soft kisses and led me to his bed. “What about Logan?”
“He’s three, Brie. I don’t think he gets the logistics quite yet, and he adores you. If anything, he’ll be thrilled.” Lance fell back, and I took him in slowly, all muscles and sun-kissed skin.
I moved over him, draping my legs around his waist before I shyly kissed him. I didn’t know what to do, but I wanted to show him I was ready. Lance slipped an arm around me and rolled me onto my back. He kissed me tentatively and pressed against my body. He was solid–all man. I breathed through the slow kisses that he was teasing me with.
After a while, he took me into his arms before we went too far. “Have you been with a lot of girls?” I asked him, scared of the answer while knowing that I needed it so much.
“I’m not that type of guy. I’ve been with four, and they were all women that I was in a relationship with. I don’t do one-night stands, Brie. I need to feel something for the person, and preferably they feel something for me.” Lance stared at me as he spoke and stroked my hair back. “Why haven’t you been with anybody?”
“I was always focused on school and worried about Mom. She worked so much to keep our tiny place that I’d never let myself relax. There was never anyone worth trying for, just a few clumsy kisses along the way that never went anywhere,” I replied as I moved closer and memorized his heat. “I think that you’re worth trying for, though.” I kissed his neck and he shivered. “What about the fact that I work for you?” I asked him. He sighed and looked at me.
“I knew that you were worried about that. To me, it doesn’t matter. I can still see you and pay you for taking care of Logan. I own this place and it’s doing well, Brie. The house is paid off and I keep everything else within reason.” He studied my expression.
“Wouldn’t taking care of him be something I should do anyway when I’m seeing you?” I asked and he laughed.
“It’s still time out of your day, Brie. I am not the kind of guy that is going to shove my kid at someone much of the time because I’m dating her,” he told me. “That’s something you figure out pretty early on when you are a single parent. I’m lucky enough to be doing well and not have to worry about finances.” He looked at the clock. “It’s coming up on three in the morning, and we both know how early he wakes up. Let’s try and get some sleep. Sound good, beautiful?”
“Yes,” I whispered as I closed my eyes and let my heart free fall. I knew that this was fast, but I was already crazy about this man.