“I’m not a man to offer favors, but I owe you, Red. I’ve never forced a woman into my bed before, and I’m not about to start. I release you from your end of the agreement. Call us even.”
She stared at where he continued to grasp her. This was her chance. Somehow, by some miracle, she was being offered a way out of this mess.
Say yes.
When Samantha lifted her gaze, the lieutenant cocked his head. His hair fell forward over his forehead and she swallowed. God help her, she wanted this.
Reckless.
The word echoed in her head while she reached forward and pushed his hair back in place in a gentle sweep of fingers. He caught his breath and the sound emboldened her.
“I’d prefer to save your favor for another day, Lieutenant. Tonight,I come freely.”
He made a soft sound in the back of his throat and pulled her to him. When her bottom landed on his lap, she let out a little gasp at the contact. His hand caught her neck and angled her face toward him.
“Red.”
He murmured the name against her and a moment later, crushed his lips to hers. Samantha gasped and the warm heat of his tongue pressed into her mouth. She’d been kissed before, but nothing compared to this. A little moan formed in the back of her throat.
His fingers twisted in her hair, pulling her closer. She met his tongue with a timid stroke of her own and he deepened the kiss. Soon, she gasped for breath, unable to pull her mouth away as the kiss built in intensity.
Samantha let out a startled cry when he tightened his grip and stood. With no choice, she wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him as he carried her to the bed. He sat and set her on the floor in front of him.
“Undress.”
When she didn’t move, he pulled his shirt off in one motion and flung it aside.
“You don’t have to be shy with me, Red.”
“I’m not.”
Still, she stood paralyzed.
He frowned. “We don’t have to do this. I meant what I said earlier, I will not force you.”
She couldn’t pull her eyes from the bulge in his pants. Never had she wanted something so badly before. Time to be bold.
Do it.
Her hand settled on the hard ridge and the lieutenant’s eyes widened. He pressed into her touch and she trailed her fingers up and down his rigid length. A hiss of breath escaped him and he caught her hand in his.
“Careful, Red. Or this night will be over before it starts.”
Her brows scrunched together, but she had no time to ponder the meaning of his words before he hooked his legs behind hers. He dropped her hand and tugged her shirt free of her breeches. Bending forward, he pressed his mouth to her side, nipping through the linen fabric. The rough contact sent a little shiver through her.
And then his hands were beneath the shirt, skimming along her bare skin. He stopped just below her breasts and she let out a shaky sigh. A wicked grin spread across his face and his thumbs flicked up over both nipples at the same time.
“Oh!” She had to grab his shoulders to steady herself.
The lieutenant chuckled and withdrew his hands, bringing them to her top button. A few fluid motions later and her shirt gaped open. He leaned into her, the hot caress of his breath at her navel sending a wave of fire straight to her core.
Samantha shuddered when he began to kiss a trail upwards. His hands skimmed up her sides and hooked under her shirt. In a feather-light motion, the garment slipped from her shoulders, leaving her bared to him.
A growl rumbled from beneath one breast and a moment later, his mouth closed around a pert nipple. Samantha’s fingernails dug into his shoulders.
“Lieutenant,” she gasped.
“Call me Christian.”
