Taking in a slow breath through my nose, I let it out quietly through my mouth before I tell her, “Jane… in my world, you invite a man inside your house, and he expects you to spread your legs for him.”
I hope to shock her and piss her off, so she’ll do what I can’t do in this moment, and that’s to realize this has disaster written all over it. I want to offend her notions of romance and sensibility, and send her scurrying away from me.
Instead, she raises her gaze to meet mine and whispers, “That wasn’t what I was offering, Kyle. Maybe later… after I get to know you a bit more, but for now… I really only want a kiss.”
Goddamn it.
I fucking want it too. And I’ll be more than happy with just a touch of her mouth on mine with the promise of nothing else in return. I can be satisfied with that.
I think.
I’m overwhelmed with a burst of anger toward her for her tenacity and ignorance of the ways of bad men, and I’m turned on beyond measure that, despite my scary attempts, she still wants something from me.
I bring a hand up and touch my fingers to her cheek in a move so gentle I don’t recognize myself. She lets out a small gust of air that sounds appreciative and accepting, but it turns into a tiny gasp when my hand slides back into her hair and I grip it in my fist. It’s not enough to hurt her, but it holds her tightly in place as I lower my face toward hers.
“I’m not a nice guy, Jane,” I warn her.
“You seem nice enough,” she says in a low murmur, but there’s enough sass there I have to suppress an involuntary smile.
“I’ll hurt you,” I say ominously.
“Right this very moment?” she inquires sweetly.
“Eventually,” I mutter.
“I’ll take my chances, Kyle,” she whispers. Those five words seal her fate.
“So be it,” I say on a regretful sigh, and then I give her what she wants.
CHAPTER 13
Jane
I wash my hands in my bathroom sink and glance into the mirror. I’m pretty sure the look on my face is just as dopey as it was this morning. I’ve felt it all day. The way my cheeks pull up a little, the way my mouth has been curved in a smile, and the slight flush to my skin.
I went to bed last night thinking about that kiss with Kyle at my doorstep, and I woke up thinking about it. Hell, there’s even a slight tingling to my lips that hasn’t gone away.
Turning the water off, I dry my hands on the cute little hand towel done in lemon yellow with white lace edging, and look into the mirror one last time. Yup… bright eyes that I may have accentuated with some smokier than I normally wear eye shadow, along with a volumizing layer of mascara, and decide that I’m really going to do this.
I head into the kitchen and said dopey smile remains. I can feel it. If anyone had seen me today, they would have looked at me with knowing eyes—that girl was kissed and kissed well. But I’d been at home by myself today, doing some cleaning and a little bit of painting for purely pleasure purposes. It was a casual, summer day off for me, one of the things I loved about being a teacher.
I’d relaxed today, ruminated about that kiss, and around three o’clock this afternoon, made the decision that I’d see Kyle tonight. This may or may not be a surprise to him. When he walked off my porch last night, he left me without a single innuendo or hint that he wanted to see me again. Perhaps he thinks he’s made things clear. On the other hand, I’ve never really let Kyle put me off, and that seems to be a good play right now.
I cook dinner—a roasted pork loin, candied carrots, and fresh baked bread. Granted, the bread feels like a rock, so I throw it away and pack the rest up in a basket. After I top it off with a red-checkered linen cloth, I’m going to bring it to him and insist we eat it together.
Maybe I’ll get another kiss, although I’m not sure it could top the one he gave me last night.
Kyle told me he wasn’t a good man. He pretty much assured me he’d hurt me at some point. So when his lips came down on mine, I actually braced for him to be rough with me. Let’s face it… he’s crude, withdrawn, gruff, and anti-social. He’s all angled planes and tattooed skin with scary designs. I’d watched him grab Craig by the throat and single-handedly dispatch the creep without breaking a sweat.
And even though I wanted the kiss, I knew there was a slight possibility that Kyle could, in fact, be a dangerously dark man. Even more so, I knew I could have been in actual danger. After all, he pretty much told me he considered an invitation into my house to equate to a spreading of legs.
Oh, but that kiss.
He was none of the things I had some reservations about.
It was so soft and gentle. His mouth moved so slowly over mine without any rush, but with the intent to seek everything I had to offer. Kyle was absolutely unhurried. If I had to guess, I’d say he was savoring it as much as I was. He was content to just roam at a leisurely pace, and it drove me absolutely bonkers with needing more. So I made the next bold move by letting my tongue hesitantly reach out to touch his.