“In this room, those are the classics,” I reply with a shrug as if he asked me something. I move to the wall and lean against it, crossing my wrists and entwining my fingers.

His finger runs along the front of old DVDs on the next shelf, titles I keep for the memories. “Pretty in Pink. Casablanca.” He shoots a glance my way. “Pretty Woman. If this doesn’t reveal the heart of a romantic, I don’t know what does.”

“I have Fight Club and Gladiator as well.” I don’t know why I feel the need to defend myself.

“A lover with a fighter’s heart. I can respect that.” Sitting on the end of the bed, he rests back on his hands and turns his attention on me like I’m the entertainment.

“So . . .” I let it linger, hoping to gauge the temperature of his mood.

Should I let him lead? Should I take control? Or do we spend the rest of the night looking at each other like we were forced to attend the ninth-grade dance by our parents?

Oh, that’s right. I’m supposed to be going with the flow.

I can do that . . . I think.

“You know,” he starts. Standing, he crosses the small room and returns to me, caressing the side of my neck and then running his fingers into the hair at the back of my head. “If you’re uncomfortable or have changed your mind, I can go. I know how things can spiral in unexpected directions at this hour.” His voice is deep, the tone befitting the night.

I’d like to think I’d choose self-preservation, but with his lips against that spot just under my ear and his breath heating my skin, I wrap my arms around his neck and give him more access. His sharp inhale causes goose bumps to ripple against my skin, and then the lightest of kisses are sprinkled along my jaw until he finds my lips.

“I want you to stay.”

He tilts my head back, my chin nearly touching the bottom of his, and then presses his mouth to mine, and whispers, “I was hoping you’d say that.” Holding my face between his hands, he kisses me so hard that my back hits the wall.

My breathing is as wild as my hands, which travel across the broad width of his shoulders to find purchase. Then he stops, his eyes searching mine between panting breaths. Goose bumps ripple across my skin and as good as he feels now, greedily, I want more.

Taking my hand, he leads me to the edge of the bed, and whispers, “Are you sure?”

“You warned me the first time we met.”

He nods, his gaze dipping down momentarily. “And you foolishly let me in.”

This time, I lift his chin with my hand. “I don’t know what happened in your past, but believe me when I tell you, I love a redemption story.”

“Where have you been all my life?” His deep and smooth voice is sexy as he speaks so close that his breath coats my lips in a gentle sweeping kiss.