I don't back down from his statement. It might be the faint buzz I feel from the glass of cheap wine I had with dinner. It could be the rush I experienced from playing such a difficult piece so effortlessly. Whatever it is it fuels me to look him straight in the eye. "Is the price steep?"
"It's manageable."
I feel my face heat. "How do you know it's manageable for me?"
"You've kissed a man before, Sophia. We'll start there."
"A kiss?" The words catch in my throat. It's not as if I've never been kissed. I have by plenty of men. I remember some of those kisses with a longing that's faint but familiar like the smell of rain in the distance after a long drought. I can't recall the tasteof the lips or the names of the others. Those are the men I didn't share my body with because their kiss wasn't enough to make me wonder what it would be like to taste more.
He leans forward on his elbows, his hands parting. "You want to kiss me. You have since we met."
"No, I haven't," I say with conviction even though I know it's not the truth.
"You're a liar." He stands and faces me. "Give me your hand."
I stare at his outstretched hand for a heartbeat. The skin is smooth, the lines that cross his palms faint. My gaze follows the path of his skin up the sleeve of his shirt that covers his muscular forearm and bicep before it lands on his face. "Just a kiss, Nicholas?"
"One kiss." His fingers curl in unison, beckoning me to take his hand.
I place my hand in his knowing that I can't turn back. I don't want to. I want to kiss him. Hell, I want so much more. He's every woman's dream. His black hair is a tousled mess. The subtle shading on his jaw gives him an edge that promises of a hint of roughness. His lips are full and pink. They're the most kissable lips I've ever seen on a man and he's right. I've wanted to kiss him since the moment I turned to look at him on the subway.
"Come here," he whispers darkly as he tugs me to my feet.
I don't resist when he rests my hand on his chest over his beating heart. His pulse is racing and his breathing is shallow. If I didn't know better, I would think that he's as nervous about our first kiss as I am.
I don't say anything when his hand slides up my arm to the back of my neck. I draw in a deep breath when he tilts my head and looks into my eyes. I smile at him before he bites his bottom lip.
"You're beautiful, Sophia," he says in a husky voice. "I've never met anyone like you."
I close my eyes just as I feel his lips touch mine.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Nicholas
I takemy time with the kiss. My first taste of her is better than I imagined and when I slide my tongue along the seam of her lips and she opens herself to me, she moans. It's soft, almost inaudible, but I hear it. I feel it reverberate through our kiss.
I tighten my grip on her neck as my other hand circles her waist. I pull her closer, wanting to meld her body with mine. I know she can feel my arousal. My dick is hard as concrete, aching to be inside of her.
Her hands grip the front of my shirt, the material fisted in her palms. She tugs slightly as if she wants us closer. She needs more and I'm not about to deny her anything.
I slide my hand lower until I'm cupping that delectable ass. It's soft and lush beneath her dress. "Sophia." I breathe the word into our kiss. "Please."
She shakes her head slightly just as she deepens the kiss. Her tongue glides against mine in a silent invitation to take more. So I do.
I move my hand lower until it skims the hem of her dress. I want to touch the flesh of that beautiful ass and run my fingers between her legs. I need to feel her wetness. I have to know that she craves me too.
"Nicholas." Her voice is a whisper as she pulls back. "Just a kiss tonight."
I want more. I need it, but I'm not the type of guy to push when a woman pulls back. I won't do it. I break the kiss, my hands loosening their grip.
"You can really kiss." She leans her forehead against my chin. "Like holy fuck, you can kiss."
I laugh deeply. "I'd say the same for you."
Her eyes are cast down. They're in perfect alignment with the outline of my massive erection through my pants. She has to know what she's doing to me; what she's done to me since the first night we met.
"I need a cold shower," I say half-jokingly. "That or a nude run in the snow."
