Heat pooled low as tingles raced through me.
He slid his hands up my sides, unhurried, reverent. Over my ribs. My shoulders. He framed my face, fingers threading into my hair, thumb brushing my mouth like he was testing my reaction.
“You amaze me.” His eyes searched mine, intense enough to steal my breath.
I didn’t have the clarity to question it.
He drew me down slowly, deliberately, letting the anticipation stretch until it hurt. Just before our mouths met, he stopped, holding me there, breath mingling with mine.
“No more pretending.” The command vibrated against my lips.
Then he surged forward and kissed me, leaving no doubt that he meant exactly what he said.
Our mouths met, and my body lit up. Heat snapped through me all at once, like every cell had been waiting for this exact moment.
Strangely, my mind went quiet. No noise. No doubt. Nothing but clean, steady calm as I melted into him.
My fingers slid into his hair, luxuriating in its thickness, one hand trailing down the back of his neck, over the solid span of his shoulders. I knew, with sudden certainty, that if all I ever did was kiss him like this, it would be enough.
His arm locked around my waist and drew me closer, and we sank down against the back of the bench. He took his time, lips moving with intent, tongue brushing mine in a slow, seeking sweep.
I answered without hesitation.
The sound that tore out of me was unfiltered and helpless. Any softness vanished. Eric’s mouth turned hungry, demanding. He traced a path along my jaw, down my neck, his breath hot against my skin, leaving me aching.
I felt his need as clearly as my own. It wasn’t gentle. It was focused. Urgent.
I pressed closer, unable to stop myself, hips shifting instinctively, chasing friction. His grip tightened as I ground down over his erection, the contact stealing what little control I had left.
This. This was what I’d been craving. The electricity. The heat. The way my body finally made sense.
“Fuck.” He broke away, stealing a sharp, final kiss. His hands clamped firmly onto my hips, halting my movements.
“Jamie.” His mouth hovered over mine.
I hummed a sound that might’ve been an answer.
“Beautiful, beautiful girl. You are fucking killing me.”
“You said a swear!” The shrill voice hit like an alarm.
I yelped, jerking back in surprise, nearly tumbling out of Eric’s arms as I twisted around. He stiffened behind me, attention snapping to the interruption.
A little girl stood there, hands planted on her hips, glaring at us with unmistakable disapproval.
If I hadn’t already been flushed from everything that had just happened, I would’ve been red with embarrassment. “Well, hello there. You scared me half to death.”
Eric, entirely unapologetic, still had my leg draped over his lap, one hand secure at my thigh, the other locked around my waist like our audience was only a minor inconvenience. His shoulders shook with silent laughter.
“You said a swear.” The little girl’s finger stabbed in Eric’s direction. “I heard you.”
“Me?” His eyes narrowed as if genuinely offended. “Impossible.”
“You did. The big one. The one that starts with F. Mommy told me it’s not a nice word and you shouldn’t never say it.”
They stared each other down. A full-on standoff. Alpha male versus pint-sized moral authority.
I glanced around, suddenly aware of how alone we were. Where had this little hellion come from?
