Is this really happening? Am I really going there with Luke?
He bites down on my lower lip, as though his thoughts are reprimanding mine for ever having any doubts.
Yes, yes, we are. They chant back to me.
“Talk to me. What do you need? Because if left up to me…” He slides his hands under my T-shirt and holds me by the waist, his fingers inching dangerously close to my bra.
“Off.” I nod.
“Yours or mine?” I spot the smirk he’s trying to hide, but I’m too far gone for subtleties.
I push against his chest, making him rise up on his knees. “Both.”
He pulls his shirt off easily with a practiced tug from the neckline behind his head and tosses it to the side.
He opens his mouth to speak, but I point my foot at his jeans. “Those go too.”
He grins as his eyebrows raise slightly. “Bossy. I like it.” He slowly pops the button, then teases me with the unhurried pull of his zipper. I sit up and manage to remove my shirt and leggings just in time to catch the scowl on his face. “I was going to do that.” His eyes stay locked on my barely covered chest.
I purse my lips to keep a small laugh from escaping. “I could use some assistance with this bra if you’re still feeling helpful.”
His face turns predatory as he leans over me, placing rough kisses all over my chest, keeping his eyes on mine as he unhooks my bra and slowly slides it down my arms.
Having his attention is intoxicating. It’s unlocking a part of me that’s always felt too shy to ask for what I wanted. But with Luke, it seems as though I can’t stop doing just that. “I want to feel you everywhere.”
His eyes darken as they lower to my chest. “Like here?” His thumb brushes over my hardened nipple, and I bite down on a moan. “Like this?” He slowly traces the outline of my nipple three times before pinching it, eliciting a surprised gasp from my lips.
Then he lowers his head and continues his discovery of my body with his tongue.
I arch into his mouth as he moves over to my other breast, giving it the same attention.
He continues his journey lower, kissing my stomach as his hands play with the edges of my panties.
His hands stop moving. “You’re trembling.” His concerned eyes meet mine as he leans back on his haunches. “Tell me again, what do you want, Daisy?”
What I don’t say is that my body is vibrating with need. With the knowledge that nothing will ever be the same after today. That although I’m scared of ruining our friendship, there is no way in hell I am spending another minute of my life refraining from reaching for the things I want with both hands.
I don’t know if it’s the ache between my legs or the possibility of us stopping because Luke thinks I’m not ready for sex that has me speaking up, but I find the courage to spread my legs a little wider, showing the dampness coating my white cotton panties. “What do you think, Luke?”
My skin heats as his searing gaze focuses on the indecent scene between my legs.
“Fuck. Me,” he groans as he runs a single finger over the wet spot on my underwear.
My eyes almost roll to the back of my head at the sensation. “That was going to be my answer to your last question.” I raise my left arm and let my fingers trace over the tattoos that have been ingrained in my memory ever since I saw him shirtless and wielding an axe.
My fingers trail lower, following the path of light brown hair until reaching the waistband of his boxers. I’m about to tug them down when his hand wraps around my wrist, halting my movement.
“I don’t have any condoms, so these should stay on until I can head into town and buy an entire store out.” His voice sounds pained but steady.
“We don’t need them.” The words rush out of my mouth before I can explain properly. “I mean, if you don’t—I, uh.”
He goes still as he towers over me. “Daisy, be very careful about what you’re going to say right now.”
“We can wait, of course,” I rush. “But I wanted to let you know that I’ve been tested and I’m all clear, and I haven’t had sex since… well, it’s been a very long time. And you already know I’m on birth control.”
“Painfully aware.” He reaches down and readjusts himself as I carry on.
“I want to respect your boundaries, and it’s totally fine if you want to use condoms, but I wanted to let you know that I’m okay if you want to—”
