Leave it to me to make things complicated. Well, even more complicated. I just couldn’t leave this girl unkissed in this setting. She deserved to feel endlessly wanted. Spectacularly beautiful. Because she was just that. I knew she was cold and we had to remedy that situation. And Axel needed a nice warm blanket as well.

“Let’s go. I have a blanket in my trunk.” I grabbed up my bags and she kept Axel’s leash. I hugged her to me once we were in the elevator, trying to give her some of my body heat.

Axel started kangaroo hopping until he could look us dead in the eyes. “He’s a really weird dog, right?”

Taylor laughed and buried her face in my chest. She was like holding a freshly bloomed rose. So easy to crumple, but sculpted with beauty. I had to be careful. When we made it to the parking garage, Taylor was chattering so much that her teeth were clicking together.

I ran to the trunk and pulled out the soft blanket I had in there for photo shoots and this exact type of moment. I required models to do some wild crap, and more often than not, they needed a way to warm up between shoots.

I wrapped the blanket around her and cuddled her into the passenger seat. I was able to dry Axel off with a real towel and then he was happy to jump in behind my seat. When I got in the car, I started it up and flipped the setting to heat. I pointed the vents in her direction.

“I’m sorry this will be chilly until the car warms up.” I touched her shoulder and stared into her eyes. “You really saved my ass tonight. Thank you.”

“Anytime.” She slumped down in the seat and I leaned over to grab her seatbelt. So close to her face, I had to give her another kiss. She leaned forward and moaned.

“Oh shit. Taylor, don’t moan. You’ll make it worse.” I put the car in reverse.

“Make what worse?” Her innocent blue eyes were wide.

I shook my head and ran one hand over my face. “The things I want to do to you.”

I watched as she wiggled in her seat. Teddi was going to kill me. Hell, my parents might kill me.

As I drove us home, I knew the consequences of kissing Taylor for real would come. But tonight, I just wanted to be with her.

When we were in front of my apartment door with all of our stuff and Axel, I was about to go digging for my keys when the door swung open. Endgame stepped back and let us in with a sweeping gesture. Music pumped through the air.

“Uh. Thanks,” Taylor murmured and then struggled to keep Axel from giving Endgame a nut check.