“Can I take these off?” he asked.
She nodded— slow, hesitant— and he took that as permission. She had her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. Carefully, reverently, he hooked his thumbs under the waistband and started to slide her shorts down.
In college, she would’ve covered herself the second they were off— turned away, tugged a blanket up, blushed so hard it made his chest ache. But now… she stood still, shaking slightly, but she let him look.
The fabric peeled down over her thighs, catching at her knees before slipping off entirely. He tossed them aside, then pressed a kiss to the inside of her thigh, just above her knee.
She stood in front of him in just her panties.
He bit back a groan.
“Ali…” His voice caught. His hands rested on her hips, fingers flexing. “I want to taste you.”
Her eyes widened.
He watched her, carefully. “You always got so shy back in college. I didn’t want to push.”
Her breath hitched. She looked down at him— him on his knees, shoulders broad, eyes dark with heat and something gentler beneath. Her lips parted.
“I…” she whispered, swallowing. “You sure you want to?”
He smiled, slow and devastating. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”
Her fingers trembled where they hovered near her stomach, and he reached up, catching one in his hand. Brought it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“What if I don't like it?”
“Then you just say ‘stop’ baby. I’ve got you. I promise.”
“Let me, sweetheart,” he murmured, lips brushing her skin. “Just say yes.”
There was a long beat.
Then, barely audible: “Yes.”
That was all he needed.
Dylan leaned forward and pressed a kiss right over the center of her panties. Her knees buckled slightly, and he caught her, guiding her down until she was sitting on the edge of the bed, legs open just enough for him to fit between.
He ran his hands up her thighs again, slower this time, then hooked his fingers into the waistband of her panties and looked up at her once more.
“You still with me?”
Ali nodded, lips parted, pupils blown wide. “Yeah.”
He peeled the last piece of fabric down her legs and tossed it behind him.
She was already trembling. He eased her down to lie on her back.
Dylan ran his hands up the outsides of her thighs, fingers spreading to cup the softness of her hips. He kissed one, then the other, letting his lips linger on her skin, before he dipped his head and finally tasted her.
Ali gasped, hips jolting at the first slow drag of his tongue.
“Easy,” he murmured against her, voice thick with restraint. “I got you.”
He kissed her again— open-mouthed, patient— taking his time as he explored every inch of her. His hands anchored her thighs as he licked her softly, rhythmically, learning what made her whimper, what made her curse under her breath. She was already wet, already coming apart for him, and he hadn’t even taken off his shorts.
Dylan groaned low in his throat, the sound vibrating against her as he licked deeper, slower, savoring her like she was the only thing that had ever mattered. He pulled back just enough to breathe, his mouth slick, his breath hot against the inside of her thigh.
