My hand slid up her spine. Not rushed, not gentle. Just enough to make her inhale sharply and sway into me.
“Tell me what you want, Ellie.”
She didn't respond, so I let my hand drop, giving her space even though every part of me was screaming for more.
“We don't have to do anything,” I said. “I can drive you home.”
She stayed there, motionless.
Then, her hands moved to my shoulders and pushed me back. “No.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Okay?”
“Okay.”
“We stop the second you say. No questions, no pressure. You're in control here.” I leaned back so I could look her straight on. “So, tell me, Ellie. What do you want?”
She didn't answer with words. She climbed into my lap instead, straddling me on the stool.
“Say it, El.”
“You already know,” she breathed.
I shook my head. “Not touching you again until you say it.”
On the outside, I could tell she was still holding back, but her pupils were blown wide, giving her away.
“I want you to touch me.” The words came out so quietly, I almost missed them.
“Yeah?” I muttered, dragging my hands up her sides because I couldn’t fucking help it.
She nodded, lip between her teeth.
I ran one hand along the back of her thigh and the other up the back of her neck, tugging slightly at the roots of her hair until her face tilted up. Her mouth parted on a breath I wanted to swallow.
“You want my hands on you, baby?”
A soft sound escaped her throat. “Yes.”
“Where?”
She went still.
I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. “Come on. Use me, remember? Be greedy. Be fucking selfish with me. Where do you want me to touch you?”
Her hands slid up my chest, tentative at first, then with purpose. “Everywhere.”
Fuck. That did it. That single word burned. I took a breath and stood with her legs wrapping around my waist.
“I need this fucking dress off you,” I said, striding toward my bedroom.
Once inside, I set her down on her feet beside the bed. We stayed close, eyes locked, breathing the same air. Then, fireworks covered the room in bright colors.
Midnight.
I didn’t wait. My mouth crashed to hers with everything I had—no softness, no hesitation. Her hands wrapped around my waist, and her lips gave way beneath mine.
I gripped her chin, needing proof she wasn’t a figment of my screwed-up imagination. She moved one hand up to my neck while the other trailed down to grip my shirt.
