I turn slowly towards him as my pulse increases. “How did you get this?”
Alex rubbing the back of his neck. He’s stalling.
“I bought it.”
I blink. “Youboughtit?”
His lips press together, and for the first time since I’ve known him, he looks… shy. “Yeah. At one of your shows in New York.”
I stare at him, my brain short-circuiting. “But… I thought you didn’t—” I swallow. “I didn’t think you knew about my shows or anything like that.”
His jaw tightens, but his eyes are soft. “I kept up with you, Em.”
My breath catches.
He exhales, looking too nervous to continue, but doesanyway. “I read the articles. Followed your work online. Saw your name in the news whenever your art made waves. I was at that show when I bought it. I went to see you, to try and get you to talk to me. But when I saw you from a distance across the gallery, you looked so happy. You were in your element and I couldn’t ruin that. I didn’t think you wanted to see me so I just bought the painting and left.”
I feel winded. As if someone reached into my chest and pulled the air right out of my lungs. I look at the painting, then back at him. I step towards him with a smile.“So, what you’re saying is… you’re a softie?”
That makes him huff out a laugh. “Don’t start.”
I smirk, closing the distance between us and poke him in the chest. “Oh, but I must. Alexander Noel Cruz, secretly sentimental, a collector of my art…”
He catches my hand, his grip is warm and grounding. “Don’t make me regret showing you this.”
“A big tough guy like you secretly pining for me? Keeping tabs on me while I was off living my life? That’s adorable, Alex. Really.”
His hands find my waist, fingers pressing in just enough to send a shiver down my spine. “Adorable? I don’t do adorable, Princess.”
“Mmm, sure you don’t,” I tease, tilting my head up to kiss him. It starts as slow, soft, teasing. My lips brush against his, barely there, but enough to make him chase me for more.
Alex groans a breath against my mouth, deep and low. The sound alone makes my body heat. His hands tighten on my waist as he pulls me flush against him. I want to be wrapped up in the warmth of his skin and the solid strength of his body forever.
I slide my hands down his chest, tracing every defined muscle under my fingertips. Then lower, over his abs, slowly over every individual one. Once I reach the waistband of hisjeans, my fingers dip inside enough to feel his cock hard and ready for me.
Alex swears under his breath, forehead pressing against mine as his eyes find mine. “You keep teasing me, and I swear to God, Em.”
A devilish grin appears as I ask, “What? You’ll throw me on the bed?”
“Damn right I will.”
Before he can do just that, I push him backwards onto the bed. He falls back with a surprised grunt. Standing in front of him, I slowly start to peel my clothes off, letting each piece drop to the floor, his eyes dark with hunger and greed.
“Princess.” He is full to the brim with impatience.
I kneel in front of him, placing my hands on both thighs, loving the way his muscles tense under my touch. “What’s wrong, tough guy? I thought you liked taking your time?”
His jaw clenches. “Not tonight. I need your pretty pussy around my cock. Now.”
His breath is ragged, and I am proud to see he’s barely holding himself together. I press my lips gently just above his waistband, kissing along the elastic once, twice, three times. His entire body shudders. I feel powerful and unbreakable knowing I can unravel him like this.
I trail my tongue across the skin there, feeling him tense as I leave soft bites in my wake.
“Emiliana,” he grits out, reaching for me, his hands desperate as his control slips.
I look up at him, dragging my nails lightly up his stomach. “So impatient.”
His jaw ticks and fingers flex as he resists the urge to grab me, flip me onto this bed and take what he wants.
