His head pulled back a little, and his nostrils flared. “Why would you say that?”
Exhaustion was pulling at her, and this wasn’t the time to have this discussion. She was going to mess this up.
“You’re you.” She waved her hand at him, indicating that he was hot. “And I’m plain.”
He shook his head, and a hardness settled in his eyes. “You’re fucking beautiful. I’m just a guy.”
“Good lord, you’re the one who is fucking gorgeous. Have you seen yourself without a shirt? You look like a work of art.”
His huff echoed around the room. “I haven’t seen you with your shirt off, but I bet you would rival the best painting in any museum.”
His gaze dropped to her breasts, and she swore she saw heat flare in his eyes. The shock that zipped through her made her stomach tighten. “Wait, do you think I’m attractive?”
The way he looked at her was answer enough. He took a step closer and grabbed her arm, holding it loosely enough she could pull away if she wanted.
“You’re more than attractive. You’re alluring, beautiful to the point I want to see all of you. But you’ve just come off a bad relationship, and you have an idiot following you, stalking your every move. I’m not going to pressure you into some type of relationship when you must have a lot on your mind.”
His words slid through her, heating her up. The look in his eyes took her breath away. When his gaze flicked to her lips, her knees went weak, and she swayed, brushing up against his body.
He lowered his head, his lips so close to hers, his breath warmed her. “I’m not going to kiss you unless you want this. I don’t want you to jump into this because you’re grateful or you think you owe me. You don’t. You don’t owe me anything. I only want this kiss if you want it.”
The shiver that raced through her made all her senses feel alive. She could smell the masculine scent of his body along with the soap he’d used to wash. Everything about him heightened her desire.
She lifted one hand and placed it on his chest. “I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
“I won’t be.”
He sounded so sure about that, but she knew he would. She couldn’t stop herself from pressing her finger pads against his chest, wishing his shirt was gone, and she was touching his hot skin. He adjusted his stance, moving a little closer to her.
Her other hand came up and landed on his waist. Anticipation twisted through her, making it hard to think. She shouldn’t kiss him, but all she wanted to do was figure out how his lips felt against hers.
Cy wrappedhis arm around Willa’s waist and pulled her closer. Her breasts were up against his chest, and he thought he was going to lose it.
Then their lips met, and it was like an explosive blast ripping through him. His cock was too hard to hide how she affected him. When she moaned, his balls pulled up tight, and he had to suck in air so he didn’t come immediately.
Her gaze met his, and he saw the same wonder in her eyes that he felt. He ran his fingers over her lips.
“Beautiful.”
She seemed to melt against him. He wasn’t going to push for more. Partly because he wanted to savor this feeling. He didn’t need to take her to his bed right now, though he wouldn’t be against that move. But he wanted more with her than just a quick fuck.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“That kiss,” Willa whispered.
“It was special.”
“You’re special.”
Her words made him smile. “I think you are.”
Her hand was on his face, running over his stubble, then down to his neck. She met his gaze, and he could see the questions in her eyes. He hoped she knew he would never hurt her. Her past didn’t give her a good track record for how guys should be. He would make sure she saw the difference between what she’d had and how he would treat her.
He stepped back, and her eyebrows pinched together. “I want to give you time to think before we rush into anything.”
“So what about you?”
“I’ve thought about it for a while.”
