“Still worried?” she asked.
“No,” I said, feeling a little undone. I leaned in again, slower this time, giving her every chance to change her mind, but she didn’t. I kept the kiss light, a careful caress with just enough pause to feel her answer me. Her lips moved against mine, testing, learning the shape of me the same way I was learning her. When she tilted her head and deepened the contact, she did it with an unhurried certainty that nearly finished me.
Desire surged hard and fast, but I held myself steady. I refused to take more than she offered.
She made another quiet sound against my mouth, and my resolve slipped a fraction.
Her hand slid from my shoulder to the side of my neck, thumb resting just below my jaw. The touch was confident, claiming without being possessive. I answered by angling closer, letting the kiss turn fuller, slower, wanting to memorize the moment instead of rushing past it.
Her lips were soft but firm, and she kissed me with purpose. This woman knew exactly what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to ask for it.
I shifted closer until our legs pressed together fully, the water rolling around us. I put my hand on her waist, not pulling her in, but anchoring myself to her. She leaned into my touch, and time stretched, each second weighted, like we were daring each other to be the first one to lose control.
And I wanted her to break me.
She broke the kiss to look at me, lips parted, a dazedly satisfied look on her face. She didn’t give me time to think before her hand slid to my shoulder as she moved closer to me, the water rising and settling as she straddled me, knees braced on either side of my thighs. Her blue hair fell in a curtain around us.
I went very still.
Not because I didn’t want it—didn’t want her—but because I wanted it enough to be careful.
Her weight settled fully on me, the contact sending a jolt straight through my body. I locked my hands on the stone at my sides, fingers spread, knuckles tight. I didn’t count the lanterns.
She watched my face, assessing. A satisfied amusement flashed through her eyes. She enjoyed seeing the effort it took for me to stay right where I was.
“Still with me?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said.
She kissed me again, rolling her body against me. She was a fucking goddess.
I kept the kiss measured, even as everything in me pushed forward, wanted more, wanted permission I was not going to give myself yet.
Her hips shifted against me as she slid her hand up my neck, and my focus narrowed to the fact that she was sitting on me. It took a conscious effort to stay present instead of letting instinct take over.
I let one hand leave the stone and rest at her waist. I didn’t draw her closer, but I didn’t stop her either.
She smiled into the kiss, then murmured against my lips. “I like your restraint.”
Fuuuck.
She tilted her head, and I matched her, keeping the pressure steady. Her fingers curled into my shoulder, just enough to say she knew exactly what she was doing to me.
She drew away, pressing her forehead against mine, her gaze locked on my mouth.
“You’re thinking very hard,” she said.
“I always am.”
She grinned, and if I wasn’t sitting, it would have knocked my legs out from under me. It was fucking formidable. Then her lips were on mine again, rewarding me for staying exactly where I was.
I let myself have it.
“Take me back to your place,” she said.
I didn’t hesitate. “Okay.”
That sexy smile spread on her lips again, like she’d expected a protest and found something better instead. As I stood, her legs locked around my waist, and I settled my hands under her ass.
