“I’m telling you this because you think that you’re messed up and I’m not. Maybe I don’t have to take medicine or go to therapy. That doesn’t mean I’m a healthy guy falling for an unhealthy girl. It only means my sickness is harder to see.”
I took Winnie’s hand in mine. “What I had with Lark was based on an idea. She was nice to me and I decided it was a sign. Nothing else mattered. With you, my feelings aren’t about a fantasy. They’re about you. The good and bad and scary and beautiful of you. Everything about you makes me happy and the dream I have is built around you. Lark was a lie I told myself, but you’re real.”
“Lark is really pretty.”
“Yeah, she’s my best looking sister.”
Winnie smiled. “I really want to be jealous of Lark. She’s crazy about Aaron and having his twins, so I feel like jealousy might be dumb.”
Pulling her closer, I inhaled the sweet scent of her clean skin. “I agree having the girl I love jealous of my sister would be a little dumb.”
Winnie shuddered in my embrace. “I love you too. I wanted to love you last summer. I wanted you to be special because I liked you so much. I didn’t think what I saw was real or you wouldn’t want the real me. Except you’re better than I dreamed.”
“Even with morning breath?” I asked, kissing her neck.
Wiggling under my touch, she kissed my cheek then her lips moved to mine. I wanted to kiss the hell out of her, steal her breath and the pain of her past. I wanted everything, but I really needed to brush my teeth. I’d always been vain that way.
Chapter Twenty One ~ Winnie
As Dylan showered in my bathroom, I sat on my bed and struggled not to imagine him naked. My attempt failed.
I kept thinking of him wet under the warm water. Soap covering his tanned muscled arms. Water streaming down his powerful back and chest. Perfect flesh only a door away from me.
By the time the shower shut off, I crossed my arms to hide my hard nipples. I hated my arousal, yet also craved it. The past, present, and future wrapped me up into a ball of frustration. Finally, Dylan appeared dressed in his jeans and one of Dad’s shirts.
His skin looked so good I reached for his bare arms. My fingers caressed the damp flesh from his wrists to under his tee. Dylan’s breathing caught and our gazes locked. His hands cupped my face while mine gripped his shirt. Our lips met and I didn’t care about my parents in the next room. I forgot they even existed.
One of Dylan’s hands caressed my face while the other pressed against the small of my back. Snuggled in his strong arms, I moaned as the kiss deepened. His tongue tasted minty and I wanted more.
Even sensing Dylan didn’t want to stop, he eased away. “Got rid of my morning breath,” he mumbled.
Pressing my hands against his chest, I stroked the hard muscles hidden under his shirt.
“I’ll feel better by this weekend. I want to spend the night at your apartment.”
Dylan exhaled hard. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I need to do it and get it out of the way.”
“Out of the way?”
“With my problems, the first time will be awkward. Farah said the key is to practice,” I murmured, staring into his eyes. “Don’t you want to practice being inside me?”
Dylan’s breath caught. “Hell, Winnie. You’re killing me,” he muttered, adjusting himself. “I have to go talk to your parents and you’ve got me hard as a rock.”
“I have some pills that might mellow you out.”
Dylan frowned until he realized I was teasing. “I’ll wait as long as you want. If you want to spend the night, I’ll happily agree. Anything you want, I’ll do. I’m your slave, Winona Todds.”
Covering my mouth, I giggled at the expression on his face. “I’ve never had a slave before. Does that mean I get to boss you around when we’re naked?”
Dylan’s smile faded and he narrowed his eyes at me. “You are trying to get me worked up, aren’t you? Naughty girl.”
“Power is fun,” I said, running my fingers down his chest.
Licking his lips, Dylan nodded. “I’m going to need another shower.”
“Sorry, but it’s time for breakfast. I really should keep my strength up for this weekend.”
Dylan gave me a look that made me both proud and terrified. I had this gorgeous man wrapped around my finger. After months of hoping for such an outcome, I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to take the next step.
Chapter Twenty Two ~ Dylan
My mind swam with thoughts of Winnie. During lunch, I sat in a corner at a small deli and listened to Journey with my earplugs. All the while, I imagined Winnie sitting next to me.
I missed her like crazy. Too much really. How I could function long term feeling so overwhelmed by such need? Would the need lessen once we’d spent enough time together? Or would I learn to live with the all encompassing desire for Winnie?
Walking back to Cooper’s office, I passed one of the two antique shops in Ellsberg. Evoking Memories was also the only place in town where my father could buy those stupid bear figurines he collected.