“Something that involves stripping, maybe?” I try.
I know she wants me, too—I felt it every time our eyes met,every time I touched her—but I’m waiting for her answer before making a move. I don’t even know how I’m holding myself back while she’s standing there next to my bed, in that dress, with that mouth.
“I’m tempted,” she starts, “but I don’t think I can bring myself to sleep with a guy in a bow tie.”
“I wasn’t thinking of sex, you pervert!” I roll my eyes at her. “I want your bra. I’m starting quite the collection over here.”
What I want is to go straight to her, kiss her hard, and throw her back onto the bed. But this game between us—she’s enjoying it as much as I am. I know she is.
“Oh, I get it now. Sorry…”
“You look disappointed. I didn’t mean to embarrass you—”
“You didn’t! It’s just awkward because I’m not actually wearing one.”
I swallow the wrong way. I was hoping to tease her—but she just knocked me out with that one.
I step forward, slipping off my bow tie.
“Problem solved, then,” I whisper, letting every trace of playfulness fall from my face. “Now you have no excuse to hold out on my real gift.”
Say yes.
“Why don’t you come get it?”
A predatory smile curls on my lips, answering hers. Our eyes lock, the air between us thickening with so much desire I almost stumble circling around her.
Every inch of me is aching for her as I step behind her. I brush kisses down the length of her neck, behind her ear, on her collarbone, slowly sliding out the hair tie holding her bun. She shakes her curls loose, and I know I’m done for.That fucking hair.Inch by inch, I slide her dress up over her hips. I’m legit trembling from the tension. Her breath is coming hard as she leans back and into me, pressing her body into mine, following each of my movements.
I’ve waited so long for this moment I can barely control my handsas I roll her tights down to her ankles. Her fucking legs knock the breath out of me.
I fall to my knees beneath her, my gaze fixed on the perfect curve of her ass. She moans when I palm it with both hands, kneading gently, and I press soft kisses to the two infuriating little dimples gracing her lower back. I can barely see straight.
“Carrie.”
She murmurs in response.
“I can’t believe you wore such a hot dress withthese,” I say.
She throws her head back, the ends of her hair grazing my face.
“I chose my best granny panties in honor of your birthday.”
She’s messing with me, but her voice is husky and thin. I grab the fabric in both hands and make to tear them in two. No luck. I try again.
“How the hell do the guys in the books rip these things off?” I growl.
“I guess they’re just really strong.”
“So, not only are they ugly—they’re indestructible, too.”
“You trash-talk my panties one more time, and I’m leaving.”
“No you won’t.”
I inch her underwear down and get to my feet, my chest pressed into her back, my hands feeling their way down her curves. She’s always kept her clothes on before, and I’m too scared to undress her now and ruin this moment. Instead, I sweep her hair to one side and run my tongue down her neck, clasping her hips. She shivers in my hands when I move down to her lower belly, my fingers reaching for where I know she wants me to touch her most.I missed this.
I want the heat of her mouth on mine, but I force myself to take it slow—kissing my way along her jaw, up her cheek and temple, matching the slow, lazy drag of my fingers between her legs.I missed her.
