I stopped caressing as I gazed up at him. “What’s wrong?”
“This doesn’t break our no-kissing rule?”
“I did warn you that I’m not very good with rules.”
His lips twisted into his dimple. “I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret.”
“Regret?That’s not exactly a word I can imagine ever associating with you.”
There he was before me, looking so fucking hot as he shared this part of him that was all mine—that he’d only let me see. He’d allowed himself to be so vulnerable as I probed his body with my hands. The raging hard-on behind the lace pattern let me know how much he was enjoying himself, but still, he was willing to stop if I was worried about fucking up this whole deal we had.
However, after everything we’d shared on the river and everything we’d already been through together, it was too late for me.
“Keeg,” I said, “I made that awful rule before I really knew you and the kind of man you are. I don’t doubt that you’ll stick to your end of our agreement, and I hope you know that no matter what happens, I’ll stick to mine. I’m not the best man in the world, but I have my integrity.”
“I know that,” Keeg said in a soft whisper, in a way that made me feel how much he believed it.
“Certainly I had my reasons for creating the rules when we started. Although, I have to admit I’m suspicious of my motives. The more I confront this part of me I’ve hid in the shadows of my mind all my life, the more I wonder if, at least in part, I created it out of fear.”
“Fear?”
“Of letting myself surrender to my desire for men…foryou. I fear how good it would feel, because I know what happens when I experience a powerful high. I know where that can take my life. Passion can be so rewarding, but it can be toxic too. It can turn on a man and destroy his soul.”
“This all sounds like it’s leading toregretterritory,” Keegan noted, and I could see the concern in his expression.
“It’s different, though. Back then, I was using the high to run away from myself. But with this, every time I look at you, every time we touch and I feel that exhilaration, it’s as if I’m finally understanding all that I really am.”
Keegan quivered in my grasp.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Did that make you uncomfortable?”
“When you put it that way, it’s kind of intimidating. But I’m glad you feel that way with me. And it’s only fair, since you’ve been making me feel less…strange…for liking being a little different.” He glanced down at those sexy-ass panties.
I didn’t know what came over me, but I cupped his ass cheeks firmly in my grip, moved close to him, and buried my face in the lace. One whiff of his scent was intoxicating.
“I just want to make you feel good, Keeg. Let me do that for you.”
Keegan rested his hand on the back of my head, petting softly. “So fuck rules…?”
I snickered before pulling away and glancing back up at him. He looked like he thought he was really clever for his comment.
“Yes, fuck those horrible rules. I will admit I’m not sure I can throw myself into it, not just yet. But I want to get there.”
“There’s nothing wrong with going at our own pace. What do you want to do to me tonight? That’s the real question.”
He winked, and his validation was just what I’d needed. I pressed my lips against his panties, enjoying the combined sensation of the fabric and Keegan’s flesh. I lost track of my senses, my will, the way I had back at the festival that first day we met. I put one arm around his back and scooped his legs out from under him, pulling him back onto the sofa, laying him down before kissing along the waistband of his panties. I pushed my tongue past my lips, outlining them, occasionally offering a gentle bite.
My thoughts swirled as my senses were overcome with pulsing, aching desire for Keeg.
A sound captured my attention, and I glanced up to see Keegan rolling his head back against the arm of the sofa. He reached back, gripping it with one hand as his other hand traveled down his body, following some innate rhythm that inspired his movements.
He seemed to notice I’d stopped because he shifted about before glancing down at me. “What is it?” he asked, that confidence replaced with discomfort.
“Just admiring the view,” I replied before offering a gentle kiss on his abs, which seemed to set him at ease, as he inhaled deeply.
“Take off your hat, beautiful,” I told him.
“My hair’s a mess.”
