Page 79 of The Catch

His hands leave me to handle his belt buckle. I'm so shocked I forget every curse word I know.

"I wasn't serious!" I hold his hands in place.

"Rule number two. You demand everything and anything you want. If they can't or won't do it, then they're not for you."

"The standards you are setting are too high."

"I'm just getting started."

Chapter 27

Saint

I get her on my lap in the car. She comes to me willingly, undoing me. Her kiss tells me she really wants this— she really wantsme.

If being her rebound is a mistake, it's the best mistake I'll ever make.

I kiss her like what we're doing is meant to be.

Things could get heated again, but there's no privacy window between us and the driver. We keep things cool, caressing safe spots softly, speaking into each other's ears. Our conversation includes words of doctor check ups and contraception. They could be dry and cold, but they sound like poetry to my ears. We kiss as we realize we could skip the condoms if we wanted, but we decide we'll do it only if and when it feels right to both of us.

By the time we make it to my door, I'm so desperate to touch her that I consider kicking it down. The only reason I don't is because I can't manage a good strike with Ames in my arms.

"Do me a favor and take the keys out of my pocket," I mutter into her neck.

She gives me a delighted giggle. "I have my own keys, remember?"

She turns in my arms and handles the lock.

"Maybe all I wanted was to get your hand in my pants." I kiss the spot where her neck meets her shoulder. "You might have liked what you found there."

We make it inside. She laughs. I kick the door closed, then guide her deeper into the condo, still kissing her neck.

I try to get her in her room. She resists, making for my door. We stare at each other in a brief standstill.

"You don't sleep with your dates in the guestroom, do you?" she asks.

"Never, but your vibrator is in your room."

"Oh. Oh," she repeats in a different tone.

I lead her to her room. "Besides, tomorrow I'll have a new bed delivered. You don't have to wonder about anyone else. You can help me break in the mattress."

"That's… overdoing it, right? I shouldn't make a fuss."

"Make a fuss. Nothing would make me happier." I stop a few steps from her bed. "Nothing is too little or too big. Anything you want— I want it for you."

"Saint—" She doesn't finish the sentence, and jumps to me again.

I catch her. I kiss her. I moan into her mouth, and she must like it, because her hands get greedy. She trails hard fingers down my body, until she can grab handfuls of my ass.

Those sparks I felt all those years ago crackle and explode like fireworks under my skin. They burst and blast from my chest, a bomb without a sound, because right now, for a little while, Ames wants me.

I'll make it worth her while.

"Tell me your wildest dreams," I whisper.

It takes her a second, but she speaks against my skin.