Reed smiled at my command. “You want me to kiss you?”
“Yes.” I pointed at my lips. “Right now.”
He shifted closer on the couch, and I held my breath. It was one thing to demand a kiss, but another to have him listen to me. I hadn’t been completely prepared. The early afternoon sun came in through the far window, lighting up the edges of his jaw and the curve of his mouth, making him even hotter.
Something cracked in the air between us. Every inch of my body came to the realization this was going to be so much more than a simple kiss right as his lips touched mine. I sucked in a breath.
His mouth found mine, and he pressed deeply as if he’d take away any chance I’d change my mind. But that wouldn’t happen. I inched forward, deepening our connection and savoring the feel of his lips locked against mine.
“A kiss like that,” Reed whispered when he pulled away. “Do you want another?”
I nodded.
He didn’t hesitate as he leaned in to cut the space between us to nothing. He cupped my cheek with his palm and brushed his thumb against my jawline. The strokes of his callused finger sent strokes of excitement through my body. “Has anyone told you that you’re gorgeous?”
“No.” I shook my head. Pretty, sure, but never gorgeous.
“Well then, let me be the first. You’re gorgeous, Elenore. I shouldn’t let this happen between us, but I can’t stop it,” he said right before kissing me again.
He tasted like passion and danger. The kiss grew between us, our breaths mingling while the rest of the room faded away. I groaned softly as he squeezed my jaw with his hand and deepened the kiss once again. His tongue reached out, sweeping my bottom teeth before asking for more. I immediately gave it as heat blossomed in my stomach.
We were both breathing hard when the kiss ended, and it was still too soon.
Reed’s gaze hit mine, and he stared deep. “I want you to be sure.”
“I’m sure,” I said too quickly. Both of us aware of what my answer meant.
“This isn’t just a onetime thing for me, Elenore. You have to be positive.”
I nodded. “I’m positive.”
Sure, I wasn’t a hundred percent positive on what, exactly, I’d agreed to, but I figured we’d discuss the details later.
That’s all he needed before he brought his lips to mine again. This time we crashed together, somehow hotter than the last two. His tongue reached out for mine, exploring. I met him each time and ran my fingers through his hair, wrapping my arms around his neck until we had no space between us.
In one big swoop of a movement, Reed shifted, taking me with him until he brought me over his legs and had me straddling him. I bit on his bottom lip, and he groaned, squeezing me even tighter to him. His hand settled on my hip, jerking me closer. The evidence of his arousal hit me between the legs, and I gasped at the contact.
I laid my open palm on his chest, and his heart thumped against my hand through his black polo shirt. Goosebumps pebbled my arm. I couldn’t wait any longer. I tugged on the hem of Reed’s shirt and brought it up over his head, breaking the kiss for less than a second.
The shirt landed on the floor beside the couch, and my hand ended up back on his chest. The warmth of his skin heating my already warm body. His muscled, tan chest begged to be touched, and I ran my fingers over his smooth skin.
He hissed out a breath through his teeth and then his hands were on me again, this time tugging on my shirt. I lifted my arms, letting him throw my shirt to the floor. The realization I was on his lap in nothing but a bra had me trying to cover my chest.
“Don’t. You’re beautiful,” Reed said, his voice thick. “Shit, Elenore.”
I didn’t know what that meant either, but before I could ask, he leaned in again, pressing small kisses along my throat down to my collarbone. His hands roamed my back, unclasping my bra with a single flick of his wrist. I definitely didn’t worry about where he learned that as the fabric slipped away and I focused on keeping myself open for him.
“So beautiful,” he moaned before his mouth found the swell of my breast and he sucked. I stayed still, letting him lavish me with attention, unlike anyone ever in my life. The sensations from his lips and fingers as they caressed me sent shivers through every end of my body. Heat pooled between my legs, and I rocked against his hard groin, wanting more from him.
I pressed my forehead to his. “I need you.”
“Any time, babe,” he said between kisses before taking my breast in his mouth again and sucking on the hardened nipple.
I closed my eyes and rocked against him harder.
“But if we don’t slow down, I’m not going to make it off this couch,” he warned around a short laugh that cut off when I raised myself a fraction and then lowered against him harder.
He grabbed my hips as I did it again. “I don’t want slow.”
