I cracked my eyelids open just as my wet shirt smacked against the wooden floor. Standing in front of him in my bra and skirt, I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.
“Now for that skirt.” Thunder’s fingers went to my waistband. He slowly freed the button, then slid the zipper down.
Heat unfurled through my belly. His hands were so close to where I wanted to feel them the most. Even though he’d made it clear earlier that he wasn’t attracted to me, I still wanted him.
“You doing okay, Baby Girl?” He glanced up at my face as he worked my skirt over my hips. His fingers grazed my skin, and I had to fist my hands to keep from reaching for him.
“Yeah,” I whispered, grateful he couldn’t read my mind.
“Damn, Ashley. I shouldn’t think it, much less say it out loud, but you’re absolutely stunning.” He’d pushed my skirt down to my ankles. Gently, he lifted one leg at a time and helped me step out of it.
I didn’t respond, not trusting myself to speak.
“So fucking perfect.” His voice shook slightly as he rose back to his full height, my skirt tossed on top of my shirt. Then he reached behind me to grab the sweatshirt off the bed. “Let’s get you covered up before I’m tempted to do something I shouldn’t.”
He wasn’t making sense. Based on his actions, it seemed like he might be experiencing the tiniest bit of attraction. I swallowed my apprehension and summoned whatever bravery I had left. “Like what?”
Thunder’s eyes widened. “Like what?”
I nodded, then shifted my gaze to stare at the floor. This was where he’d let me down easy again. Steeling my heart, I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth.
“You really have no idea, do you?” The shock in his tone made me lift my head.
“No idea about what?”
“Baby Girl, I’m losing my mind over you.” His fingers gently nudged my chin up until I reluctantly locked eyes with him. “You’ve had me in knots since the first time I set eyes on you.”
“No.” Unsure, I shook my head. “This morning, you totally shot me down. You didn’t want me.”
He let out a soft laugh. “I didn’t want you thinking you owed me anything. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you and deserve someone who’ll be around for the next sixty or seventy years to share it with you. I’d be a selfish prick for taking advantage and depriving you of what’s best for you.”
“But what if you’re what’s best for me?” I could barely even whisper the words.
“You don’t want to get involved with me, Baby Girl.”
“Why not?” From everything I’d witnessed, he was exactly the type of man I wanted.
“I’m too old, for one. You’ve got so much time ahead of you and my life is half over.” He reached up and slid a wet chunk of my hair behind my ear.
My nipples were so hard they poked through the fabric of my bra. His touch electrified me, and I wanted to feel his huge hands all over my skin.
“It doesn’t matter how much time we have left, it only matters how we spend it and who we spend it with. Losing my parents at such a young age taught me that.” I reached for his hand and twined our fingers together. “We’re all living on borrowed time, Thunder. What matters is how we use the time we’re given.”
He lifted his other hand to cup my cheek. “I’m not going to lie. I’ve been thinking about you for weeks and trying to convince myself I’m not the man you need.”
“But I do need you.” Stepping closer, I tilted my head back so I could continue to look him in the eye.
His hands slid around my back. “I need you too. So goddamn much.”
“Then take me. Make me yours.”
“We do this, and you’re mine, Baby Girl.” His eyes glittered in the low light. “I don’t want just a night with you. I want forever.”
Nodding, I rose to my tiptoes and let my eyelids drift closed. It’s what I wanted as well. His lips touched mine, sealing the promise. Then he cupped my ass in his giant hands and lifted me into his arms.
CHAPTER7
THUNDER
