“Yes.”
“May I see?”
He holds out his hand and I hesitate before handing him the pile of papers that moments ago were clutched to my chest. I watch as he flicks through the designs, taking what seems like an eternity to look at them all. His face has no expression and my stomach feels heavy. I’ve never shown anyone.
“Arianna … these are …”
“Awful?” I wince.
“God no. they’re amazing.”
“You really like them?”
“No, I don’t really like them, I love them. I can picture you wearing each and every one.” He comes to sit next to me on the bed, carefully placing the papers down. “Stop picking at your fingers and look at me,” he says softly, turning my cheek with gentle fingers. “If we’re going to spend more time together you have to start believing my words. Don’t doubt me. If I say I love your sketches, then I mean exactly that.”
He traces his fingers down my jaw and runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “If I say I love your soft lips, then I mean it.” His words drip with desire as his other hand tangles in the hair at thenape of my neck, pulling me to him gently. “If I say I love the way your skin flushes when I pull you close, then it’s because I can’t get enough of your body.” I watch as his gaze travels the exposed skin of my chest that my robe doesn’t cover. “Never enough,” he murmurs under his breath.
As his fingers tighten, I tip my head back a little, exposing my throat. He places lingering kisses down my neck and across my collarbone. Shivers of pleasure follow the path of his lips as once again he manages to make me feel awakened. I open my eyes when the kisses stop. Denham has an intense look on his face. Carnal, and so goddamn sexy.
“You have beautiful skin, Ari,” he says.
I hesitate before saying, “Thank you.”
He pushes us back so that I’m flat on my back and he has me pinned under his body in just a second.
“It’s sexy as fuck,” he says with a grin. “Do you believe me now?”
“You’re fast!” I laugh.
“You didn’t answer me…” Denham wraps his fingers around my ribs and starts to tickle me.
I fling my legs wildly and start to buck my hips. “Get off me!” I squeal, playfully trying to wriggle free.
“You didn’t answer. Do you believe me now?” he says with that delicious cocky smirk firmly in place.
“Yes, yes I believe you.”
His fingers ease, but stay in place. “Even when I stop tickling you?”
“Yes, even then …”
“Good. I only came to tell you I made plans for us this evening. I had no intention of pinning you to the bed and tickling you until you surrendered.”
“No?”
“No.” He frowns. “And now I’m aware that you’re only wearing a robe. Do you even have anything underneath?”
“Nothing,” I breathe out. It amazes me how fast our interactions change from playful to sexual. He shakes his head before hopping off the bed in one swift move and heads for the bathroom. I sit back up, tightening my robe and covering as much skin as possible, hoping that this will make it easier for him to concentrate on anything but my lack of attire.
When he comes back out, he smiles at me gently. “I’m going to sit over here until you go and get dressed. I can’t sit on that bed with you knowing I could have you naked just by pulling the tie on your robe that’s keeping it all together.” He sits on the chaise lounge with his elbows glued to his jean clad legs.
“You managed last night when I was just in my underwear.”
“I did not manage Ari, I coped. There’s a huge difference. It was a long painful night made both equally better and worse by having you next to me. I never knew I had such self-control, but I can’t promise how long it’s going to last, so you had better get some clothes on that hot little body of yours before I break my own rules.”
I slide off the bed, taking care not to flash too much leg, and walk toward him. I place a kiss on the top of his head. “You’re so cute, you know that?”
“Fluffy rabbits are cute, Arianna. I am not cute,” he says, keeping his voice purposefully low.
