They made one stop on the way back to Stefan’s hotel room, a twenty-four hour pharmacy, to fill her prescription. She still felt a little jittery inside, most likely from the adrenaline rush, but remembering Stefan’s words in the hospital soothed her. They also left her wanting more.
Her thoughts for the last several days revolved around him, and she’d done nothing but try to figure out her feelings for the enigmatic man. From the beginning, when she’d woken up in the hospital in New Orleans and seen his face, she’d known there was something different about Stefan. For one thing, he never scared her. Being around other people, especially men, kept her jumpy enough to leap out of her own skin. Yet she’d never had the same feeling, the same sensation from him.
The kiss they’d shared at the fountain after their dinner at Antonio’s had been magical. He hadn’t pushed. Hadn’t been all grabby hands. Hadn’t tried to push her past her limits. Her fingertips touched her mouth, remembering the taste and feel of his lips against hers.
“Everything okay?” He tossed his keys atop the dresser beside his laptop.
“Fine. Just thinking.”
“Let me get you some water, so you can take your antibiotic.” She could hear the water running in the bathroom, then he was thrusting a glass into her hand. Rather than argue, she let him twist off the lid of the pill bottle and shake one into her hand. She swallowed it down with a grimace, handing the glass back. Ugh, she hated taking pills.
“Quite a day, huh?” She grimaced at the thundercloud that passed over his face. Oops, looked like he hadn’t gotten over his mad yet.
“Call your mother. Let her know you’ll be staying here tonight.”
“But…”
“No buts, Savannah. Somebody took a shot at you. Do you really want to bring that into your parents’ home? If you insist on going home, plan on me sleeping on the floor in your room, because I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Tingles spread through her as his words sank in. Not the part about putting her parents in danger—she’d never knowingly do that. But him sleeping in her room? It was intriguing.
He must have read something in her expression because he lowered himself onto the mattress by her side. With the gentlest touch, his fingertips ran across the bandage on her forehead. She didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. It was barely a scratch.
“When I saw you, saw the blood on your shirt—” His words broke off, and he picked up her hand, tracing a fingertip along the palm. “I could have lost you today, Savannah. If Bogey hadn’t knocked you out of the way…”
“But he did. I’m fine, I promise.”
He looked like he wanted to say something more, but remained stubbornly silent, and she watched his mouth. The firm compression of his lips, the stern set of his jaw.
Without conscious thought, her hand raised, and she traced the outline of his mouth. Felt the shock of her touch roll through him, but she didn’t stop. Ever since she’d been attacked, the thought of another man touching her made her violently ill. But those feelings weren’t there with Stefan.
The feel of his lips beneath her fingers was soft, and she remembered them touching hers. Wanted to feel them again. His blue eyes studied her intensely, yet he made no move to touch her. He let her take the lead.
Drawing in a shallow breath, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. A barely-there touch, like butterfly wings, there and gone. When she pulled back, the blue of his eyes had darkened, but he sat still as a statue beside her.
She closed the few inches between them and kissed him again. This time, she lingered for one heartbeat, then two before easing back.
“Savannah, what are you doing?”
“Kissing you.”
“Why?”
The question surprised her. “Because I want to?”
He huffed out a laugh. “Why did that sound like a question? Either you want to or you don’t.”
“I do.”
“Can I kiss you back?”
Cocking her head to the side, she studied him. “Yes. Is it okay if I…touch you?”
“Anywhere you want to, sweetheart.”
Lifting her hand slowly, she placed it on his chest, right in the center, and even through his shirt, she could feel his heart beating, slow and steady. Not like Danny’s, which always seemed to be beating a million miles a second.
Don’t do that. Do not think of Danny Cooper and Stefan at the same time. He’s nothing like that monster. Stefan will never hurt me.
“Stop thinking about him, Savannah. He’s gone and he can never hurt you again unless you let him. He’s just a memory. Erase it—erase him.”
“I want to. Help me.”
“How?”
“Kiss me again.”
With a tiny smile, he leaned into her, brushing the tip of her nose with his. She giggled, and just like that Danny’s memory evaporated like a mist on the water. When Stefan’s lips met hers, she kissed him back, wanting to take the kiss deeper this time.
His tongue peeked out, licking at the seam of her lips, and she parted them, allowing him access. The second his tongue met hers, invisible sparks shot through her, zinging through her body. Oh, she liked this.
Sliding her fingers into the hair at the base of his skull, she held him close, twining her tongue with his, learning what he liked. He obviously had no problem knowing what she liked and giving it to her.
Pulling back, she sucked in a breath. “Wow.”
“Yeah, wow.” Tiny laugh lines splayed out from the corners of his eyes, and she couldn’t resist tracing them with her finger. “You willing to try something else? A little more physical contact?”
She contemplated his words before nodding her head. “No panic attacks so far. I think we’re good.”
He scooted back onto the mattress and patted his lap. “Sit here.”
She could do this—she could because she’d never done that with Danny. Scrambling awkwardly, she positioned herself on his lap, facing him.
“So far, so good, little one. What do you want to do next?”
Nibbling on her lower lip, she glanced down toward his groin.
“Ignore him, he’s got a mind of his own. I’m not letting him come out to play today.”
Rolling her eyes at his pun, she thunked her head onto his shoulder, her body shaking with laughter.
“Not even if he’s a good boy?”
“Nope. He’s in detention.”
“What’s the matter, he doesn’t play well with others?”
He snickered, “Hell, no. He loves to play with others. But he’s going to stay in time-out for the foreseeable future.” He skimmed a knuckle down her cheek. “We’re going to go as slow as you need to, baby. There’s no rush, we’ve got all the time in the world.”
Tears welled in her eyes at his words and at his understanding. She’d been right to trust him. Stefan Carlisle was a good man—it was why she cared so much for him.
“Slow’s good.” Cupping his face between her palms, she kissed him, putting all the love she felt into the kiss. She gasped when she felt his erection rub against her backside. He placed kisses on the corners of her mouth before his tongue slid into her mouth. Arching into him, she met his tongue with hers. He kissed her deeper still, until she was gasping with pleasure.
Stefan’s hand rested at the hem of her shirt, and she knew what he wanted. She could do this—she wanted this too. So far, she wasn’t panicking. Before Danny, she’d had boyfriends, and had some experience with necking and doing other things. Nobody since then, she’d never even been tempted. With Stefan, she wanted to start living again.
Whipping her shirt over her head, she tossed it and it landed up by the pillows. Beneath it, she’d worn a sunshine yellow and white lace bra, one that plunged deep in the front. Stefan sucked in a breath; his eyes glued to her breasts.
She shivered beneath his gaze, reading the desire in his eyes.
“We’re not going all the way, Savannah. You’re not ready for that.”
As much as she wanted to protest, he was right. “No, but this feels right. I want your hands on me. Your lips on me. I want…you.”
Arching her back, she reached behind her and unclipped the bra, flipping it to join her blouse. Stefan’s gaze heated at the sight of her naked breasts.
“Touch me. I’ll tell you if it’s too much, I swear.”
As if her words were the dam-breaker, his hand reached for her breast, cupping and molding it in his hand. His fingers tweaked the nipple, and she drew in a sharp breath. It felt so good. The pink tip hardened beneath his touch, and she ached in a good way—a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Stefan…”
“Shh, baby. I’ve got you.”
Her back arched as she offered him more of her breast, and he rubbed his cheek against the areola before he opened his mouth and sucked it inside. An audible gasp filled the room, and she realized it came from her.
He released her nipple and then laved it with the flat of his tongue, and she moaned, her fingers tightening in his hair.
“Do that again.”
With a soft chuckle, he moved to her other breast, giving it the same loving treatment, latching onto the nipple. It tightened even more.
Releasing her breast, he pulled her body against his, flattening her breasts against his chest. Then he kissed her, and she felt the burning hunger in it.
“Oh, Stefan. I…I…want…”
Without saying a word, he smoothed her hair back from her face, giving her a tender smile. “I know, baby. Remember—we’re going to take it slow. One step at a time. This was a big one.”
With the utmost care, he retrieved her bra and blouse, and helped her put them back on.
“I wish I was ready for more.” She felt inadequate and somewhat of a failure, because she couldn’t give him what he deserved.
“Did I ask for more than you were willing to give, baby? I can be a very patient man when I want something badly enough—and I want you.”
Giving him a watery smile, she flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He handed her her purse. “Now call your mom, tell her you won’t be home tonight.”
With that, he walked toward the bathroom, and she watched him go, feeling giddy and lighthearted. He wanted her, was willing to wait until she was ready.
Well, if what just happened was any indication, maybe that time would come sooner than he expected. Smiling, she dialed her mom.