Harlow sighed when we parked in the driveway. “You have ten minutes then I’m sending Dad out,” she said, climbing of out the SUV.
Once she shut the door, I looked at Dylan who watched me in the dark car. His strong jaw clenched and I worried I’d done something to upset him.
“Thank you for dinner.”
“I want to see you again,” he said then added, “Soon.”
“I have to ask my dad,” I mumbled, overwhelmed by my need to be close to Dylan.
When his gaze found me in the dark car, my skin flushed under the heat of his desire. “If you’re not ready, I’ll wait for as long as it takes. No one else will do. It has to be you.”
“Why?”
Dylan leaned closer and I struggled not to pull away. “Why not?” he whispered, leaning down to kiss me.
Jerking away without thinking, I pinched the top of my hand hard. Dylan reacted like a normal person and rested back in his seat. I saw disappointment, maybe even anger, on his face.
“Sorry,” he said and I realized he was irritated with himself instead of me.
“I want to,” I whispered, losing my voice. “I want you.”
Even remaining perfectly still, Dylan’s demeanor immediately shifted. “That’s all I need to hear. I’ll wait.”
Inching closer, I pinched my forearm to keep me from chickening out. I needed this moment to be better. If I left his SUV and walked inside without my first real kiss, the regret would eat at me.
Facing him, I lifted my lips and closed my eyes. Dylan’s breath smelled a bit like cheesecake and I smiled at the aroma. When his lips touched mine, I wanted to pull away and hide in my house. I feared my ugly rising up inside me. I hated being touching and this was the worst kind of touching.
Except I needed Dylan and this was my chance. Holding myself still, I enjoyed the tenderness of his touch. His full lips sucked softly at mine, causing me to shiver. I knew he wanted more. His hunger filled the air, but he didn’t push more than I could take. As he pulled away, Dylan studied my face as if wanting to remember it always.
“When can I see you again?”
“Tomorrow,” I said instantly.
Dylan’s cocky smile set off every nerve in my body. My lust terrified me. He leaned forward to kiss me again and I nearly pulled away. Likely sensing my fear, he only rested his forehead against mine.
“I think about you all the time. The waiting kills me, but you’re worth it.”
My heart pounding so hard, I could barely breathe. My arousal and panic made me lightheaded until my fight or flight instinct kicked in. I always ran.
“I should walk you to the door before Tad comes looking for you.”
Nodding, I was ready to run inside and lock the door. As much as I wanted Dylan, I felt a million hands clawing at me. As if exposed and under threat, I needed to scrub away those fears.
I climbed out of the SUV and nearly ran for the door. Fighting the urge, I walked slowly next to Dylan while pinching hard at my arms.
“I wouldn’t hurt you,” he said without looking at me. “I hope you’re not scared of me.”
“I’m not,” I whispered.
“You’re just scared.”
“The past sticks to me and I can’t wash it off.”
“My past makes me act like an asshole sometimes. You should be ready for that.”
Despite my fear, his comment made me laugh. We reached the front door and I struggled to remain calm. I needed away from him as much as I craved to be closer.
Dylan watched me for a minute. “Do you like movies? If we go to a movie tomorrow, you won’t have to worry about talking. Would you like that?”
Unable to speak, I nodded.
“I’ll text you in the morning with info.”
Dylan slowly wrapped his arms around me and I forced myself to lean into his embrace. I both hated and loved the feel of him. The confusion in my head was too much and I stepped back.
“Is it me?” he asked, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets. “Did I do something?”
Shaking my head, I stared into his eyes with my wet ones. “It’s me.”
“Do you still want to go to the movies tomorrow?”
Once I nodded immediately, his expression softened. “First dates are tough, huh?”
I smiled and shuffled towards the door. “I’ll do better tomorrow.”
Dylan watched me disappear inside. Once the door was shut behind me, I felt all the panic take over.
“Did he do something?” Harlow asked as I ran past her to my room.
I heard her talking to my parents, but I never slowed down. Ripping off my clothes, I hurried into the shower even before the water was warm. The soap scrubbed away the bad feelings left behind by an ugly past I didn’t remember. My mind though focused on Dylan.
His cologne was subtle and I still smelled it in my hair from our hug. I remembered his hot breath against my skin and how perfectly straight his teeth were when he smiled.