Page 73 of Love You Like This

“A truce?” I take a bite.

“Isn’t that what this is?”

“No.” I reach over and wipe frosting from her lip with my thumb. Her eyes follow my hand as I bring my thumb to my mouth and lick the frosting off. “A truce implies that we’re still on opposite sides.”

“Then what is this?”

“The beginning.”

“Beginning of what?”

“Us.”

She sighs. “Xander, I told you. The kiss was a mistake. We can’t be together.”

“Says who? I know it isn’t in your contract.” I made sure to read through for any clauses related to relationships with the band before she signed it.

“Says professional ethics.” She tosses her hands in annoyance.

“Fuck ethics.” I hook my foot around the leg of her chair and drag it to me. “You can’t tell me that you don’t miss me. Miss us. The way you kissed me tells all your truths. The chemistry between us has never faded.”

“Of course I’m still attracted to you.” She gestures at my body. “Look in the mirror. Half the women in the world and probably even more men think you’re hot.”

“It’s more than physical attraction but thanks for the ego boost.” I reach over and cup her cheek, bringing my lips within a whisper of hers. “Give me another chance. One more to prove I can be who you need. That I can make you happy.”

I press my lips below her ear. Her head tilts into my hand, giving me greater access to her skin. When I run my thumb along her lower lip, she opens for me. I groan when she lets me slide it between her lips and runs her tongue over my fingertip.

Her eyes open, heavy lidded when I withdraw my thumb and bring our mouths close.

“Tell me to stop, and I will.” I search the green depths of her gaze and, when she doesn’t pull away, close the distance between our lips.

Instead of the frenzied hunger of our backstage kiss, I move with deliberate intention. Every slide of my tongue against hers is an invitation. A reminder of how good we are together. A promise of how I’ll spend the rest of our lives worshipping her.

She tastes like chocolate and home.

I stand, taking her with me as I walk her backward to the bed. I pull the duvet back and lower her onto the mattress. She watches me with parted lips as I pull my shirt over my head and drop it to the floor. I slowly crawl over the bed until I’m hovering over her, no part of us touching aside from my knee against her thigh.

She needs to understand that she has the power to stop me. To my surprise she lifts her hand to the back of my head and pulls my face down. Her nails drag along my scalp in a familiar caress that sends desire rocketing through me. I kiss her slow and deep, dragging my piercing against her tongue and lips in a reminder of how good it feels buried inside her.

Her thighs press together. I brace my weight on one arm and lift my other hand to the button at the bottom of her shirt. I pause to communicate my intention. She flicks a glance down and then back to my eyes.

“Yes.”

I push the button through the hole and drag my pinky along the exposed skin as I move to the next button. As I reach the top button she parts her legs, allowing me to settle my hips between her thighs. I slip my hand under the silky material of her shirt and let it fall to the side, exposing one of her perfect breasts. They’re slightly bigger than I remember, a few silvery stretch marks run along the bottom.

I slide the other side of her shirt open, exposing the other side of her chest. Both of her dusky pink nipples point upward. I circle one with the tip of my finger, teasing myself as much as her with the featherlight touches. Satisfaction surges through my body as she squirms beneath me.

She gasps out my name as my lips close over the other nipple. I run the metal ball in my tongue in a circle around the hardened tip. Her breaths come quicker, another sharp gasp when I nip the piqued tip just shy of painfully. Good to know she still likes a little pain.

I lean over and take her other nipple in my mouth, giving it a similar treatment. While my mouth stays on her I let my hand wander down the hollow of her stomach and over her navel to the elastic of her shorts. I run my fingertips just under the edge back and forth in teasing strokes, waiting for her permission to continue their journey.

She lifts her hips, and I take that as an invitation to continue. My fingers slip beneath the fabric along the bare skin beneath. I release her nipple with a pop, happily surprised to realize she’s not wearing panties. I turn my head and smile down at her.

“Aren’t you a naughty girl.”

She gasps when I slide a finger between her folds. A deep, guttural moan rumbles from my chest when I find her already soaked for me. I drag my finger up to her clit as my mouth covers hers, swallowing her whimper as I work the nub with consistent speed and pressure.

She looks up when I break our kiss, reaching to bring me back down for more.