“I’m sorry about all the mixed signals,” he says before pausing to press a gentle kiss to my lips. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
His mouth is warm as he places more kisses along my jaw and down my neck. I’m lost to the sensation of having him near me and showering me with his attention. His scent overwhelms me as he holds me close. Finally, his words register in my mind.
“I find it hard to believe you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s no shortage of women who want you.”
“Yeah, but none of them are you.” His expression is serious as he studies me carefully.
Before I can ask him to explain, his mouth is back on mine. The kiss is urgent, but thorough. Keeping one hand along the side of my face, he holds me still while his tongue entwines with mine, tasting and exploring until I’m so filled with need, I can barely stand it. I’m trembling in his arms from the anticipation.
“None of them are you,” he repeats. “I don’t know what I’m doing because I’ve never wanted anyone like this. I want all of you. Every secret. Every fantasy. Every disappointment.”
His mouth is back on mine as his hands begin their exploration. I’m wearing one of his T-shirts and a pair of his flannel pajama pants. No bra. No panties. I’m nothing but sensation as his hand slides up my body, over the shirt. He starts at the slight curve of my stomach and travels up until he reaches my breast. He lets out a whispered curse when the only thing separating him from the bare flesh of my breast is the thin T-shirt he lent me.
“I didn’t want to stop things when you were here before. I wanted you so goddamn bad, but I didn’t want you to be just someone I hooked up with. I’ve never had an interest in anything serious, so my date nights usually consisted of going to dinner and a movie; something generic and impersonal. I didn’t want that for us. I wanted to spend time with you just getting to know you. And I wanted you to see this part of me that no one else sees. I didn’t expect to nearly ditch all sense of self control.”
I continue staring at him. I’m not sure if he’s explaining why he wants me or trying to tell me we should stop. His hair has returned to his face, draping like a curtain along his cheek. I reach out to brush it back, but stop short, his words echoing in my head. I freeze in place, unsure if he wants me to touch him or to take a few steps back.
“Please,” he whispers, his eyes pleading as they remain locked on mine. “Please touch me.”
I rake my fingers through his hair in an attempt to remove it from his face, and he melts into my touch. His eyes are closed, and his lips parted. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful sight than when he rests his cheek against my outstretched hand.
“Your touch feels like heaven,” he breathes.
Chapter 16
Tate
I’mnotsurewhatthis woman is doing to me, but whatever it is I hope she never stops. One touch from her and nothing else matters. All my responsibilities, everything I have planned—it all disappears. Her warm, brown eyes are filled with uncertainty and my chest cracks open as the last of my resolve finally crumbles away.
She came here so we can talk—and we will—but right now I need her. Moving slowly, I slide my hand beneath the hem of her shirt and stroke the warm, soft flesh of her stomach. Her breath catches, and I keep my eyes on her as I revel in the feel of her smooth skin beneath my hand.
“This is okay?” I ask in a low voice.
She nods her head, so I allow myself to explore, sliding my hand up to her breast and gently teasing her nipple. A gasp escapes her parted lips, the sound going straight to my already aching cock. Everything about this woman is perfect. Perfect and completely out of my league. Bracing myself above her, I lean forward and claim her mouth while my free hand continues greedily seeking every bit of naked flesh within reach.
Her body trembles beneath me as I continue to kiss her as if I need her mouth to survive. When she grips my belt and begins fumbling with the buckle, I pull back enough to let out a muffled curse. I should stop her; I know I should. Instead, I stand, my eyes glued to hers as I undo my belt and pull it free with one hand before tossing it aside. Her shocked expression makes me laugh as I undo the button on my jeans. Instead of removing them, I reach for my shirt and tug it over my head, tossing it before I return to the couch.
“I know I asked you to come here so we could talk.” I reach for her and pull her onto my lap so she’s straddling me. “But right now I need to touch you.”
Instead of responding, she covers my lips with hers, her kiss telling me she feels the same way. She runs her soft hands over my chest, up to my shoulders, and finally slides a hand up the nape of my neck and into my hair. Fuck, her touch feels too good. I close my eyes as a tortured moan escapes me.
“I love your hands on me,” I breathe.
Her breathing is heavy as she rakes her eyes over me, and she doesn’t object when I grip her shirt and pull it over her head.Holy shit.She’s so damn perfect. Her breasts are slightly more than a handful with pebbled nipples just begging for my touch. I lean forward, take one into my mouth, and flick the hardened peak with my tongue. She practically convulses on top of me and presses her heat against my throbbing length.
“Fuck, darlin’,” I grit out. “I need to feel you. All of you.”
“Yes,” she whispers.
“Yes?” I repeat it as a question, making sure she means it.
She nods her head, holding my gaze. “Yes.”
That single word is all I need to hear. “I want you out of those pants.”
She clambers off me, clearly in a hurry to do as I asked. I keep my eyes on her as I unzip my jeans and shift on the seat so I can slide them off. Removing my wallet from the back pocket, I toss it onto the end table before discarding my jeans and opening my arms in invitation. Joy is gloriously naked. Her soft curves cause my mouth to water. I want to taste every last inch of her.
“No fucking panties?” I growl when she spreads her legs to straddle me once more, giving me a perfect view of her wet slit.
