He acted like wanting me was a bad thing. Like he was scared to death to be vulnerable for half a second. But I wasn’t afraid. Leaning closer, I brushed my lips over the corner of his mouth. “What if you stopped fighting it?”
His shoulders sagged. “I’ve spent every night for weeks trying to forget the way you laugh. Trying not to picture you curled up in this bed. I tried not to want you. But I do. I’m just not sure how to stop fighting myself.”
“You can start by kissing me again.”
Seconds passed. He blinked, his eyes full of desperation. Then something inside him shifted. His hand cupped my cheek. His mouth crashed down on mine like he was done apologizing and done holding back.
I threaded my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer, praying he wouldn’t come to his senses again and stop. His hands went to my waist and somehow, he lifted me onto his lap like I didn’t weigh a thing. Straddling him, I kissed him back like a woman possessed.
There was nothing gentle about the way he devoured me. The push and pull we’d been engaging in for the past couple of weeks exploded into a frenzy. I couldn’t get enough of him.
“Last chance.” He swept me up in his arms and stood. “Tell me to stop and I’ll leave right now.”
I circled my arms around his neck. “Don’t you dare.”
A deep chuckle rose from his chest as he carried me back to the small bedroom and set me in the center of the full-sized bed. The frame creaked as he joined me. Hovering on his elbows above me, he turned serious.
“Are you sure? We’re not going to be able to go back to the way things were after this.”
“Good.” I didn’t want to go back to him bottling everything up inside. And with his hips pressing down on mine, I couldn’t think beyond the next half hour anyway.
He nodded like he’d gotten the final reassurance he needed. Then he leaned down, pressed his lips to mine again, and slid his hand under the hem of my shirt. It had been so long since I’d felt wanted. Liquid fire coursed through my veins, lighting me up from the inside out. His hand roamed over my skin while his tongue explored my mouth.
Need coiled inside me. With every touch, every kiss, every brush of warm breath across my skin, the ache between my legsgrew. I pulled his shirt off over his head and tossed it on the floor. His jeans followed. Eager to feel him skin-to-skin, I helped him tug off my sweats and shirt until we’d exposed every inch of each other.
His hands were everywhere. The feel of his rough palms on my skin sent me higher and higher. And when he bent over me and sucked one of my nipples into his mouth, I almost came undone.
He paused, breaking contact, and lifted his head. “I hate to tell you this, but I don’t have any protection with me.”
I almost laughed at the disappointment in his eyes. “Thank goodness for survival kits. There are condoms in the pack I left by the door.”
“You carry condoms in your survival pack?” he asked, already climbing off the bed.
“Hey, you never know when you might need one. They can be used as waterproof storage for matches or even a cell phone.” I propped myself up on an elbow and enjoyed the sight of his departing backside. The man was built for things that happened underneath the covers, and I planned to enjoy every single second of what was about to happen between us.
He was back within seconds, a foil packet in his hand and a smirk gracing those kissable lips. “You know what else they can be used for?”
“Holding water.” I leaned back, anticipation making my skin tingle from head to toe. “One condom can stretch to hold an entire liter of water.”
He laughed as he ripped open the packet and unrolled the circle of latex down his stiff cock. “You never fail to surprise me. I think I underestimated you, Miss Hart.”
“You know how you can make up for that?”
He slid his hand between my legs and ghosted his fingers over my clit. My entire body clenched. I was so close to the edge already and we’d barely even started.
“Don’t worry. We’ve got all night, and I plan on making up for a lot of things.” Then he leaned down and kissed me again, slow and gentle, while he slipped a finger inside me.
CHAPTER 10
JACE
She was tight.Her pussy gripped my cock like it would never let go as I slid deep inside her. I couldn’t believe I’d been so reluctant to give in. Everything around us slipped away until it was just the two of us. I tried to be gentle, but it had been so fucking long. Holding back, I moved slowly, trying to give her exactly what she needed.
“More.” Her nails dug into my shoulders. “Give me more, Jace.”
Her legs wrapped around my waist, and she tipped her hips. I increased the rhythm, driving inside her like a man possessed. When she came, she clenched around me, and I finally let go.
After, I took care of the condom then climbed back into bed and pulled her into my side. Her cheek rested on my chest while her hair tickled my nose. I breathed in the scent of her shampoo and put one arm behind my head. Staring up at the ceiling, I waited for the panic to seep in.
