His thumb ran along her jawline, his touch soft. “I can see that. Just how did you rebel, baby?”
She blinked. “Ah, I usually chose the wrong boys.”
Tace chuckled. “How so?”
“I fell for my first Dice Monkey when I was fourteen, and I never looked back,” she whispered, knowing she was saying too much but wanting to share something real with him.
“Dice Monkey?” He grinned, his fingers fanning out to her neck.
“Gamer,” she whispered, her pulse spiking at his soft touch.
“Like computer games?” he asked, watching his fingers run down her neck.
She swallowed, her clothes suddenly too tight. “Yeah.” Time to change the subject. Her thighs trembled and she pressed them together. “Tell me about your sisters.”
He leaned slightly to the side, watching his hand flatten over her collarbone. “Melanie and Juniper.” His voice deepened with affection. “Mel was a smoke jumper, and Junie was studying to become a thoracic surgeon. Was in her residency when Scorpius took her, and I was half a world away.” The pain in his voice echoed through the quiet room.
Sami cupped his whiskered jaw, her heart aching for them both, unable to refrain from touching him. “There wasn’t anything you could’ve done, even if you had been right beside her. Trust me. I know.” She’d held Jackie for her last moments.
“I know.” He turned his face into her palm and gave her a soft kiss.
Her body trembled. “That’s interesting, though.”
“What is?” he whispered.
“Your sisters—two such different career tracks but each related to what you do.” How she would’ve loved to have met his family and seen where he’d come from. “I bet you were a protective older brother.”
“I was terrible.” He chuckled and somehow scooted closer to her. “If death threats were truly illegal, I’d be in prison.”
“They are illegal,” Sami shot back.
He grinned and slid his hand through her hair. “Only if you get turned in.”
His touch was driving her crazy, and the man knew it. Sami cleared her throat. “Tace.”
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
She removed her hand from his hard jaw. “Yes.”
“Then let me help you. Whatever has you so scared and has forced you to keep secrets can be beat. Trust me.” His dark plea hinted at more than just the moment.
She didn’t bother to ask how he knew she kept secrets. Tace didn’t miss a thing. “Why do you want to help me so badly?” she murmured.
His gaze swept her face. “Because of this.” Leaning in, he brushed his mouth over hers.
She murmured against him, sucking in her breath. One kiss wouldn’t change anything. She was curious, and she was tired of wondering. “Tace.”
“I love how you say my name.” He threaded his hand through her hair and drew her toward him. His lips hovered over hers for the briefest of moments before he pressed against her. Firm and strong, he kissed her, exploring at his leisure.
She’d known. Oh, she’d known Tace Justice would take his time with a kiss.
Her eyes fluttered shut, and she moved into him. Just one kiss. He rolled her onto her back, kissing her in that unhurried way, levering his body above her. His groin pressed against hers, and man, he was hard. Rock-solid hard.
She might have whimpered into his mouth.
He licked the corners of her lips, nibbling softly. The gentle kiss was such a contrast to the incredibly hard body bracketing her that her lungs just seized. Her thighs widened on their own, and her eyes rolled back when he pressed against her clit. God, it was too much. She should stop him, but it felt too damn good. Just another minute, maybe.
His broad hand held her jaw, and he pressed in with his thumb, forcing her mouth open. His tongue explored inside, bringing delicious tingles and coaxing her to explore on her own.
