My body is on fire. I stare down at her face soft with sleep, lips parted like an invitation, and I remind myself she’s still figuring out who she is.
The devil on my shoulder whispers, ‘She’s legal. She wants you.’
The angel? Silent. Maybe he’s already given up.
Damn it.
Her eyes flutter open, her mouth parting in a way that I want to slip my tongue in and slow dance with hers.
Our eyes lock. Hypnotising amber eyes, the colour of my favourite drink and just as quick to heat my belly like a revved-up engine. She leans closer, our lips almost touching, her warm breath landing on my mouth like a whisper or a promise. “You’re… I thought…”
I suck in a breath. She knows I’m desperate for her. More than desperate. I’m practically drooling in my boxers. “No faith.”
Before I let the devil win, I push her body from my mind, needing some distance, and roll out from under her, padding barefoot to the fridge and grabbing a beer. The hiss of the ring pull is the only sound in the room.
She stirs behind me. “Did I do something wrong?” Her voice is quiet.
I turn, beer in hand. She’s sitting up, wrapped in the duvet, looking at me like I just broke some unspoken vow.
“No,” I blurt. “You did nothing wrong.”
“Then why…?” She looks down at the sheets, her fingers twisting the fabric. “I’m sorry I thought—” She shakes her head,pulling the duvet tighter around her legs, her cheeks a deep shade of pink and I want nothing more than to go over to her and kiss away all her embarrassment. Because she thought right. I’m so hard it’s painful and even more torturous that she’s right here in my bed and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.
“You don’t have to be sorry.” I take a sip from the can, wishing it was something stronger.
She looks up through her lashes, big brown eyes gazing at me. “Is it my weight?”
“What?” My mouth drops open, chest tightening. She thinks I don’t want her because she’s carrying a few extra pounds.
“I saw the girls at the bar tonight with the rest of the club. They were stunning, with perfect figures.”
“So?”
“I can’t compete.”
I cross the room in three strides and crouch in front of her. “Faith,” I say, voice rough, “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. If things were different, I’d have claimed you the minute you walked through the door.”
“Is it because you think I’m a virgin?”
“You shouldn’t be too quick to lose your innocence and you shouldn’t be wanting to throw it away on someone like me.”
“Why not?”
“You should give it to someone who’ll cherish you. Someone who worships the ground you walk on and wants what’s best for you.” I lift a strand of hair from her shoulder, wrapping it around my finger before tucking it behind her ear. My lips hover an inch away from hers. “Someone who can provide for you.”
She flicks her eyes at my lips, then back to meet my gaze. “You just described you.”
My heart splutters in my chest. I know she’s right. Every muscle in my body wants to claim her right here. So manyreasons we’d be good together, but one thing stands between us. The club. And my loyalty to her brother.
Her lips twitch with something between a smile and a challenge. “Well, I’m not a virgin, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
My eyes bulge out of my head. “You’re barely eighteen. You fucking should be a virgin.” I clench my fists. “I’ll kill anyone who’s touched you.”
A smile curves her lips as if she likes this jealous and possessive side of me.
“Who’s touched your pussy? Tell me. Was it Nigel?”
“Ew no.” Her face screws up.
