I glance at the box. He knows exactly which door to knock on to get a faux animal tail on a Friday night. Turning a girl into a pornographic cat woman is apparently par for the course with him. And whatever he does to me in bed will be something he knows how to do.
The way he spanked me comes rushing back.Nothis first time.Notsome random instinct he decided to indulge in. Shane knows exactly how to punish a woman to make her hurt and make her wet at the same time. It’s very compelling, especially for someone like me who knows very little about sex but wants to.
Right now, he’s calm and patient, reminding me again of a predator watching his prey. A shiver runs down my spine, from the nape of my neck to my tailbone.
Don’t, I think, trying not to get caught in the erotic web he’s spinning. I’m not supposed to be prey that’s stalked and hunted. That’s something I’m railing against in Casanova’s case. And yet…everything is different where my stepbrother’s concerned. He didn’t kidnap me. I chose to be here, albeit under duress. And I’m still choosing it, for a reason other than fear.
As Shane takes his shirt off, I can’t drag my gaze away. He’s so gorgeous, so strong. It makes me want to touch him. I swallow against a suddenly dry throat.
“Come over here, Ave. Let me unzip your dress for you.”
I rise from the bed but stand next to it. “I need to ask you a question.”
“What’s that?”
“Would this be between us? Our secret?”
“Yeah. I don’t talk about my sex life.”
“Not even to Declan?”
“Declan and I are way past the point of comparing notes, Avery. It’s none of Declan’s business what I do to you in bed.”
I take a step forward, but my progress falters when he adds, “But there’s something we need to get straight.”
“Yes?”
“If you want to keep our relationship a secret so you’ll seem available to Declan or anyone else, you can forget it. While you’re living here, the only person you can have any kind of sex with is me.”
I blink and then stare at him. “I wasn’t planning to go from being a virgin to sleeping with a bunch of guys.”
“Good. As long as you understand the rules.”
“And you? Same rules? I’m the only one you’ll be with while I live here?”
He nods and beckons me to him.
As I move closer, I draw in a shallow breath and release it. When I’m standing in front of him, I admit, “I’m nervous.” My fingers tremble as I press them against his hard abs.
“Anyone would be.”
“So much has happened…I think—”
“Don’t think,” he says, winding my hair around his hand and pulling my head back. His mouth claims mine in an all-consuming kiss that sets me on fire.
It takes a moment for me to remember my name, let alone my line in the sand. Jerking back, I shake my head. “No kissing.”
“You’re still trying to make that stick?”
After dragging a breath into my lungs, I say, “Yes, still. No kissing.”
“But the way we do it…a kiss doesn’t get any better than that,” he murmurs, making me smile despite myself. His lips graze my temple as I attempt to take a step back.
My retreat fails because his hold is too strong.
“You’re not gonna escape, baby.” His voice is husky, driving lust into my pussy like a warm, thick lance.
My hands grip his sides, fingering his hot skin and broad muscles.
