Page 48 of Crossing the Line

“Sweet tea,” She sniffed, before relenting, “I still haven’t decided what to call Illinois tea, but it isn’t sweet tea, honey. I’ll make you some proper sweet tea so you can tell the difference sometime.”

I laughed, her southern accent too much to resist when she let it bleed thick like that.

I parked the car, and hurried around to open her door for her. She seemed a little surprised by the gesture, but eventually smiled and accepted the hand I offered her.

She let me keep it too, as we made our way down the sidewalk.

“You need some shrubs, flowers to liven your yard,” she decided.

I couldn’t hide my grin, “Does that mean you’ll be spending plenty of time over here making it look all nice?”

She glanced around the yard as if she were considering it before addressing me again, “Maybe.”

I held the door and she stepped on past me.

“Maybe,” I chuckled, “That’s all I get?”

She whipped around, her long hair gliding across her back and upper arm as she did so. The woman didn’t say a word, she just stared into my soul.

“What is it you want?”

I tipped my head, unsure how my intentions couldn’t be obvious at this point.

“I want you.”

She huffed, looking around before she found my eyes again, “For now? For tonight? What are we talking about?”

I stepped toward her, ignoring the fact that her weight shifted away. I placed a hand on either side of her hip and drew her near.

“I don’t want a sample, Brenna. I want you. All of you, for however long you’re willing to be mine.”

She trembled, but she didn’t step away.

I tilted my head, letting our foreheads kiss, “I’m a patient man. You don’t have to answer me now, but, think on it?”

Her fingers teased along my shoulder and settled firmly behind my neck. Just as I realized what she was about to do, her lips landed on mine.

I stood stunned, her mouth on mine. She started to pull away awkwardly, just as the shock wore off. I tangled my fingers in that long, gorgeous hair of hers and pulled her back. I don’t think I’d ever kissed any woman as deeply as I did her.

Her breath skimmed my neck and her head settled heavily on my chest when we finished. I loosened my grip and let my hand settle against the back of her head.

“It’s gonna be okay, Bren. Everything is going to be fine.”

She nodded against my chest, her arms snugging tightly around me. I glanced over her head toward my sofa, but before I could lead her that way, she popped up and laced that hand behind my neck again.

We locked eyes, and I leaned to reach her mouth again, but she pulled back a little.

“Then have all of me,” she whispered without looking away.

“All of you?”

“Mhmm.” She shrugged her shoulders, letting that shawl slip to the crook of her elbows, “But if you aren’t serious, don’t touch me. I don’t need any more heartache–”

I captured her jaw and kissed her until she hushed. I helped her take her shawl the rest of the way off and tossed it on the back of my recliner.

As badly as I wanted her, I made sure I took my time, giving her ample opportunity to stop, if she needed to.

I teased kisses along her jaw and steered her back to the sofa, my fingers dancing over the fabric of her top and gently helped her out of it. She was well mannered, and blushed fairly easily in conversation, but the woman was the definition of confident when the talking was over.