His lips find mine, tentative at first, as though he took my words to heart and he’s afraid I’ll shatter if he’s not gentle. His tongue works slow magic on my lips before discovering the inside of my mouth. He’s slow and tender, coaxing my tongue to join his.
My stomach tingles, and an ache deep inside my abdomen catches me by surprise.
I release a tiny gasp, and Tucker wraps an arm around my back, pressing me to his chest. His mouth is more insistent, and I’m lightheaded as we stand on the steps.
His hand slips in the opening of my coat. I tense slightly as his fingers rest on my waist, but he wraps his arm around my back, his palm between my shoulder blades.
I reach behind his neck, one hand burying in his hair while the other pulls his mouth harder against mine. I’m breathless with anticipation and longing.
Encouraged, his lips are more demanding, and he presses so tightly against me that I can hardly move.
I have never wanted anything more.
I pull away from him and worry wrinkles his brow, but I offer him a gentle smile and take his hand, tugging him up the stairs to my apartment. When he shuts the door behind us, he watches me with fear in eyes.
What is Tucker afraid of?
I’m about to ask him when he slides my coat of my shoulders and slides it down my arms, throwing it onto the sofa. Smiling softly, I take his hand again and lead him down the hall.
When he walks into my tiny room, he seems too big and out of place. He moves to the nightstand and turns on the lamp, filling the room with a soft glow. I close the door and press my back against it.
“Where’s Caroline?” he asks, hesitant.
“Gone. To a party.” My nerves make me breathless. For once I don’t mind my nervous jitters.
I step toward him, and he pulls me to his chest, one hand behind my head and the other pressing on my back. I’m flush against him as he kisses me with pent-up longing . I wrap my arms around his neck. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I shouldn’t be here, Scarlett,” he mumbles against my lips. “Send me home.”
My response is to kiss him back. He makes me feel alive. His touch makes my body respond the way it’s never responded before. Kissing him fills me with an ache for more.
I step back and grab the bottom of his sweatshirt, lifting up. I get it partway before he pulls it over his head and tosses it over the back of my desk chair. His t-shirt is next. I start to remove it, but he finishes, tossing it to the side as well.
He’s bare from the waist up, and he’s gorgeous. I knew his arms were muscular, but I had no idea the rest of him was so toned. I reach for his shoulder, wanting to trace the outline of his well-defined muscles. His eyes sink closed as my fingers travel across his shoulders, and down his arms, then back up to explore his chest. His arms hang to his side, but his fingers twitch.
His hands reach up for my shirt, unbuttoning the top button and working their way down until my shirt is hanging open. He pulls it off and throws it where his clothes went. His hands find my waist and skim my ribs as he stares into my eyes, searching for something.
He unhooks my bra and lets the straps slide over my shoulders and down my arms. Now we’re both naked from the waist up.
One hand reaches behind my neck as his mouth lowers to mine. His other hand cups my breast and fondles it, sending a jolt to my core. I moan, and he becomes more insistent, with both his hand and his mouth.
I want to cry with happiness. Tucker is here with me, partially naked in my room, and he’s making my body feel more alive than I ever thought possible.
“I’m trying to go slow for you, Scarlett,” he groans, his lips moving down to my neck. “But if you keep making noises like that, I’m liable to rip the rest of your clothes off and finish this too soon.” His teeth lightly graze my skin and his tongue follows.
If he’s trying to stop my sounds, he’s taking the wrong path. Another moan escapes and he reaches for the button on my jeans and zipper, quickly undoing both and pulling my jeans over my hips. I step out of my slippers as well as my pants, suddenly self-conscious that I’m standing in front of Tucker wearing only a pair of panties.
His eyes are on me as he kicks off his shoes and removes his shorts. He leaves on his underwear, as if he knows I need to take this in slow, manageable steps. But I don’t find that surprising. He’s always seen through me. Seen who I am and what I need.
It’s one of many reasons I’m drawn to him. This man has the capability to help me heal.
I’ve only known him a few weeks, yet long enough to know it’s true. Still, I keep the revelation to myself. Tucker may be willing to risk his heart coming to me tonight, but I have no doubt that a declaration of anything deep and meaningful will send him running.