She just followed, reaching for my belt. "Pretty sure you'll have to help with this." Her words were hoarse with desire.
I caught her wrist before she could tug. "Thought we were taking this slow."
"I don't do slow, Luke."
My fucking heart slammed into my chest. I knew I should be talking her down. I should be cooling this off a bit, but the sight of her drenched in moonlight? Her hard nipples pressing against her shirt? The last thing I wanted to do was stop. I wanted to tear that little tee off her body and have my way with her. I also knew that I wouldn't get a second chance to prove I was after more than her body.
"I didn't bring condoms," I tried.
She just pressed her hand beside my waist and pushed me onto my back. Leaning over me, she asked, "You know I'm on birth control, right?"
"And I'm kinda gun-shy." I cupped her cheek, holding her hair back so I could see her face. "You are beautiful, sensual, and I'm fucking hard as a rock, but I was hoping for a little more than just a fuck."
Her lips curled into a smile. "I have condoms."
Fuck, there went my last excuse. This had to be a test. I was sure of it, just like I knew I was about to fail. "I was doing real good about being a gentleman there for a bit." And I pulled her closer. "But you're the one calling the shots, and I'm not dumb enough to say no."
Her hand slid from my waistband up my chest. "Because this? It's the only thing I've wanted that I haven't managed to get yet."
The groan fell out just before my mouth found hers again, and I kissed her harder than I ever had before. If we were doing this, then I was done holding back. I was damned well going to make this woman mine, because I wasn't sure I could handle her throwing me out like last week's trash.
"Condoms," I whispered against her lips.
"You gotta make it inside, cowboy," she teased, leaning back to pull off her shirt.
Then, before I could reach for her, that pastel viper stood up and headed for her back door. Rolling to my knees, I followed, well aware that I was still chasing, but I was pretty sure she liked it. I knew I did.
Chapter Twenty-One
He caught me just inside the back door and kissed my neck. I managed to kick off my shoes while his tongue thrust into my mouth, but damn if I could get that damned cowboy belt buckle of his off. I felt him smile when I tried, then his hands found my breasts, teasing me through the thin lace bra. When I moaned, he pushed me back a step even as his hands slid around the back to release the clasp of my bra.
I shrugged that off but kept walking backwards, towing him along with me. He paused, letting his eyes drop, so I returned the favor. Pressed against the denim of his jeans, was an unmistakable outline, and I could see just how much he wanted this. My cowboy was thick and hard. When he caught me again, I couldn't help but cup him through his jeans, letting my palm slide across the length.
He just kissed harder, but our feet never stopped until we reached the stairs. There, I turned, jogging up them while I worked open the button of my shorts. Luke groaned, making me look back in time to see him make an adjustment, then he followed. I had a few feet, and no intention of letting him catch me again until we were in my room. Otherwise, I wasn't sure we'd ever make it there.
I shoved through the door of the master bedroom, leaving it open behind me, and headed right into the bathroom. I heard Luke stagger in behind me, then something heavy hit the ground. Next came a metallic sound that had to be his damned belt buckle. I opened the cabinet and found the box of condoms I kept on principle, pushed off my shorts and panties, then walked back to where that sexy man was working his way out of his jeans.
Damn, but he looked good. I didn't even care about the tan lines. The crease of his Adonis belt more than made up for it. His chest was broad and flat, begging me to kiss it, or even bite, but I wasn't sure whether he'd be into that. All I knew was that I wanted this. Before my house was no longer my own, I wanted to throw this man in my bed and enjoy him completely.
"Fuck me," he breathed, letting his eyes run across my naked body.
Then he closed the distance. One arm went around my waist. The other hand snatched the box of condoms to toss them on the table beside the bed. His fingers trailed down my spine and I could feel his hardness pressing into my belly, but he just looked at me, making no move to lean in for yet another kiss.
"You kicking me out when we're done?" he asked.
My teeth found my lower lip and I shook my head. "Not tonight."
"Mm, I like that. Makes it sound like it's not a one-time thing."
Finally, he bent to kiss me. This time, it was softer, almost gentle. His hand found the side of my face and he leaned in, tasting me, sampling me, acting like he was trying to remember every second. I was used to men who wanted a good time, but being in Luke's arms felt different. It felt like it meant something. It felt like I could finally relax.
My eyes slipped closed and I gave in. I wanted to feel every inch of his body. I wanted to kiss the stubble on his jaw and tangle my fingers in his hair. My knees wanted to wrap around him, and I longed to hear his panting breaths, but I didn't rush. I just kissed him, caught on that precipice where I wasn't quite sure what would happen next.
He eased me back to the bed, letting go so we didn't crash into it. I scooted up, but he just watched me. "Starting to think I should ask for your safe word," he teased.
"Pineapple." I crooked a finger for him to join me. "I have a feeling you don't have one."
"Oh, baby, I don't have limits."
