“No. I…” I place my hands on his chest and lick my lips. I look up and confess, “I want you, Zane.”
I feel his intake of breath. “Is that what you want for Christmas?” I nod and smile. “You have the most beautiful smile. Are you sure? I’m not good, Shawna.”
“Did you make the naughty list?”
“I’ve nevernotbeen on there.”
“Zane. Stop trying to convince me to push you away. You promised me tonight.”
He slides his hands underneath my shirt and runs them along my sides and then circles to my back. “I don’t break my promises. But this is only for tonight.”
“Tonight.”
His heart is pounding beneath my palm as his lips feather along mine. He increases the pressure against my lips at the same time his hands feel along my back. Abruptly, he pulls back and stares at me.
“You’re not wearing a bra.”
“No. Cameron’s don’t fit me.”
Zane lifts my shirt above my head in one swift move. On instinct, I bring my arms up to cover myself. He circles me, much like a wolf does when he’s found his prey. Slowly, Zane closes in and guides me to the bed. I sit down and enjoy watching him remove his shirt and jeans. He grabs his wallet and pulls out a foil packet.
“It’s important to me…it’s important for you to know that you’re the only girl I’ve ever brought here. I didn’t want to do this with you at a party, or in the back of my car. Nobody has ever been to any of the places I live.”
“Any of the places?”
He shrugs. “I get rotated and shifted around quite a bit between grandparents, mom, dad, and a few times, my aunt. But I never bring a girl ‘home.’” He does air quotes on the word home.
“I’m glad.”
He nods and then places his fists on either side of me. “Why are you hiding from me? I think it’s evident that I find you attractive.” I blush, because there’s definitely a large bulge at his black briefs. “If either one of us should be self-conscious, it should be me.”
“You’re gorgeous and the biggest badass. What on Earth could you be self-conscious about? Especially with…me.” It’s not that I think less of myself, it’s just that I’m stating the obvious. This isZane.I’m quirky, plain girl Shawna.
His nose runs along mine as he releases a disbelieving chuckle. “Wow.” He repeats it again. “Wow. You have no clue how special you are. You’re this priceless, rare gem. I’m the dirt you’re burying yourself in. I’m the typical loser bad boy, a dime a dozen. You are so wholesome and sweet…” He kisses my cheek. “I’m an asshole and a criminal.”
“Criminal?”
“That got your attention. I know you’ve heard whispers and rumors.” He kisses along my neck. “Are you still sure?”
The sensation of his lips easing lower on my collarbone sends a heat that gathers at my core. I’ve never been kissed there. The skin is so tender, and his lips are so warm. “Have you ever murdered someone or hurt children?”
“No.” He scoffs.
“What about puppies? Kittens?”
He nips my collarbone and says, “I’d never hurt either.”
I sigh. “Then we’re good. I couldn’t handle that. Or old people. Don’t mistreat them.”
“I one time did hit my grandpa with a shovel.”
“Why?”
“He tried to steal my money for booze. I mowed lawns for a week straight to buy new shoes. I caught him in my hiding spot in the backyard going through my backpack and counting my money. I knew he wouldn’t let me have my money back, so I hit him with a shovel then took my money and ran. Told my grandma to call my mom for me and begged her to let me live with her again.”
His eyes slowly come up to meet mine. My heart stops. “What a horrible man. I’m glad you hit him with a shovel.”
Relief fills his eyes. “I’ve mostly gambled in cards and races. I’ve been a runaway vehicle driver for my dad in whatever shit he’d gotten into. I’ve been in lots of fights –lots.When I’ve been hungry enough, I’ve shoplifted or dined and dashed.”
