But he caught my wrist. “Don’t hide from me.” His voice was soft but commanding. “Not now. Not after everything we shared today.”
I met his eyes, and there was no point in lying. He could see right through me. “I want you.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you stop?”
“Because I’m not going to take you while you’re exhausted and emotionally wrung out from a long day.” He pulled me up to sitting, and suddenly we were face to face, inches apart. “When I have you, Cami, you’re going to be fully present. Fully aware. Fully able to feel everything I’m going to do to you.”
I swallowed hard. “And Lex?”
“Then whenwehave you,” he started, and the words sent a shiver through me. “This isn’t just me. It’s both of us. And whenthat happens, you’re going to know exactly what you’re agreeing to.”
“I already know.”
“No, you don’t.” He stood and moved to my dresser, finding the nightgown I’d laid out. “But you will.”
I let him help me into the nightgown, his hands gentle despite how intimate the act was. When I was covered, he moved toward the door, and panic shot through me.
“Don’t go.” The words came out before I could stop them.
He turned back, and I could see the war playing out on his face. Want versus restraint. “Cami, if I stay, I’m not sure I can keep my hands off you.”
“Then don’t.” I pulled back the covers and slid under them, my heart pounding. “Just hold me. Please. I need to feel you.”
For a moment, I thought he’d say no. Thought he’d be the responsible one and walk away. But then he kicked off his shoes and slid into bed beside me, pulling me into his arms.
I pressed my back against his chest immediately, fitting myself against him, and felt the hard length of him against my ass. He wanted me. The evidence was undeniable. But he was still holding back.
“This is dangerous,” he murmured against my neck, and I felt his breath on my skin.
“I don’t care.”
“You should.” But he didn’t move away. His hand rested on my stomach, and I could feel him breathing.
We lay there for a few minutes, and I thought maybe I should just let it be. Should fall asleep in his arms and be grateful for this much. But I couldn’t. The need was too strong.
I shifted, turning in his arms until we were face to face.
“Majesty,” I whispered.
“Yes?”
“Kiss me.”
I watched the last of his restraint crumble. He closed the distance between us and captured my mouth, and I made a sound of relief. Finally. His lips were firm and demanding, and I fisted my hands in his shirt, pulling him closer.
He rolled me onto my back, his body covering mine, and kissed me deeper. I opened for him, our tongues meeting, and the groan he made sent heat straight between my legs.
His hand slid down my side, feeling every curve, and I arched into him.
“Touch me,” I gasped against his mouth.
“Where?” The question was a demand.
“Anywhere. Everywhere. I don’t care, just don’t stop.”
He kissed down my jaw to my neck, his teeth scraping against my pulse point, and I felt his hand slide up my thigh, bunching my nightgown. I arched into him, my nails digging into his shoulders.
