"I don't want you to," I whisper.
His control fractures. I can see it in his face—the moment the restraint breaks.
He closes the distance and kisses me.
Chapter 5
Ashley
Thekissstartscareful,tentative, like he's still giving me a chance to pull away.
I don't.
I grip the front of his shirt and pull him closer, and that's all it takes for his control to slip.
His hand slides to the back of my neck, thumb resting under my ear, and he kisses me deeper. Hungrier. Like he's been holding back since the moment he pulled me over on that mountain road.
Maybe he has been.
I know I have.
When he finally pulls back, we're both breathing hard.
"Ashley," he says, voice rough. "We should—I should—"
"Don't," I interrupt. "Don't talk yourself out of this."
His eyes search mine. "I don't want to take advantage."
"You're not." I cup his face, feeling the rasp of stubble under my palms. "I want this. I want you."
He's quiet for a long moment, and I can see him weighing it. Professional boundaries. The timing. Everything that says this is too fast.
"Are you sure?" he asks finally.
"I've never been surer of anything."
Something in his expression shifts, resolve settling into place.
"Okay," he says. Then, quieter, "Okay."
He kisses me again, and this time there's no hesitation. His hands move to my waist, then slide under the hem of my sweater.
He pauses. "Still sure?"
I answer by pulling the sweater over my head myself.
His gaze drops, slow and appreciative, like I'm the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
"Amazing," he murmurs. "Fucking amazing."
Heat floods my cheeks at the compliment.
His hands move to the clasp of my bra, and when it releases, he lets it fall away. He takes his time looking at me, and under his gaze I feel desired in a way I haven't in years. Maybe ever.
"You have no idea how much I want you," he says, voice low and rough.
He lowers his mouth to my collarbone, and I tilt my head back with a moan.
