She pursed her lips. “I guess it has to be, right? I promised you one favor, and if I told youno,I’d be going back on my word. I never go back on my word.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I want to kiss you, Chrissy. I’m askin’ to kiss you. But I won’t without your consent.”
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “I consent. I’m tired of that promise hanging over my head anyway. I’d rather make good on it and be done with it.”
Not much of a ringing endorsement, but he supposed he’d have to settle for it. He took a step toward her, but she lifted a hand. “Butyouasked to kissme. That doesn’t mean I have to kiss you back.”
Leave it to her to find the loophole in his plan.
Then again, he wasn’t without hisownunique set of skills.
Reaching past her, he carefully shut the door. Then,ever-so-slowly in case she wanted to change her mind, he closed the distance between them.
Her back was flush against the wood panels by the time his thighs brushed hers. Lifting a hand to her face, he curled his fingers around the back of her neck at the same time he rubbed his thumb along the smooth line of her jaw.
Her skin was as soft as silk, as warm as the summer sun.
“All we need to complete the déjà vu is to turn off the light.” There was heaviness in her voice.
That chemistry they’d shared from the beginning was a palpable force. It hummed like electricity in the scant few inches between them. Would there be sparks when he finally pressed his mouth to hers?
“No darkness this time, darlin’.” His voice was so low it was almost a growl. “I want to see every moment. I want to watch what happens when I show you exactly how I feel.”
She tried to roll her eyes, but he stopped her by lowering his mouth to hers.
There weren’t sparks. But he would swear a bolt of lightning sizzled through him.
Lord, how he wanted to pillage and plunder. Just like he’d done in the storage closet. But a woman as beautiful and as sexy as Chrissy was undoubtedly used to men trying to devour her.
He was determined this time would be different.
He would show herhewas different.
Brushing his lips slowly back and forth in a featherlight caress, he applied the tiniest bit of pressure. At first, she kept her mouth closed to him, but then a soft sigh escaped.
He drank it in thirstily, like he’d been lost in the desert for days and her sigh was a cup of water. Her warm breath tasted like peach cobbler. Like the salty sea air. Like freedom and fun and all his fantasies rolled into one.
Angling her head slightly, he caught her plump bottom lip between his teeth and sucked it gently. Softly swept it with the tip of his tongue. And then he did the same to her upper lip. Sipping at her. Nibbling at her.
Taking his time.
Showing her there was more to him, more tothem,than pheromones and friendship.
Showing her there was tenderness and affection.
Showing her how much he cherished and adored her.
Her hand had landed on his waist the instant his mouth met hers. Now it inched upward, her fingers clutching at his shoulder.
She hadn’t returned his caresses. But neither was she immune. He could feel the tension building in her. Could hear the way her breath caught each time he changed the pressure or the pace of his teasing lips.
Finally, her restraint broke. She made a low, hungry sound before plunging her tongue into his mouth.
It was all the invitation he needed.
Groaning, he delved his tongue inside the warm, wet wonder of her. Meeting her stroke for stroke. Lick for lick. Suck for suck.
Their kisses became a force of nature unto themselves, sweeping them along in their wake until the sexy sounds of two hungry mouths seeking fulfillment echoed around the bathroom.
