Page 61 of Barefoot Lake

The fact that she can still question whether I want her completely blows my mind.

My other hand moves to her waist and pulls her toward me. I palm a fistful of her ass and hoist her up so I can move both of my arms under her. Her legs wrap around me like it’s second nature, and her ankles hook behind my back. She digs her nails into my biceps, and I hope they leave marks.

I kiss her again, hard and demanding, hopefully removing any question about how badly I want her. Alice presses her lips against the side of my neck before biting the skin there. I hiss sharply.

“Ace, I’m going to need you to stop that or we’re not going to make it out of this kitchen.”

I turn, intending to carry her upstairs, but I can feel her smile against my skin as we near the couch, and I know to expect the next bite before it comes. She’s going to be the death of me. I prop her on the back of her couch, a spot that’s becoming a favorite of mine, and wind my fingers in the tresses of her hair. I pull until she’s released my neck and is looking up at me.

“You’re being a tease,” I scold, but nearly fold when she digs her teeth into her bottom lip and scrapes her nails down my chest. Even through my shirt, the feeling is electrifying. I groan, and my mouth is on hers again. I’ll never tire of kissing this woman.

I drag myself away from her.

“Stand up,” I command and she eagerly hops to her feet, eyes alight with curiosity about what I’ll ask her to do next. Her willingness to obey when she’s usually so stubborn stirs something inside me.

I catch her gaze and hold it.

“Arms up.”

Her arms fly up and she crosses her wrists over her head.

“Now stay still, Ace.” I reach forward and play with the hem of her shirt between my fingers. Alice’s eyes darken with anticipation, and I brush my fingers against her hipbones. She draws that bottom lip between her teeth again.

I press my thumb into her chin, pulling down until she releases that lip. I kiss her, drawing it into my mouth before releasing it with a pop.

“This is mine, do you understand?” I brush the lip with my thumb again.

She nods sharply, eagerly.

“Then stop biting it.”

My hand goes back to the hem of her shirt, and I take her tank top and sweater off in one quick movement. I fall to my knees.

“Arms down.”

She places them on my shoulders.

“Now don’t move, Ace.”

I lean forward and brush a kiss against her sternum, just below the lace of her black bra. I unbutton her jeans and pull the zipper down, separating the material. I see the top of her black lace underwear and peer up at Alice.

“Did you match these for me?” I can hear the scratchiness of my own voice. This woman undoes me.

“Mmhmm…” She nods, and I see her swallow. “Just in case.”

“I can’t wait to unwrap you,” I breathe against her stomach before placing another kiss right above her underwear. She groans, and her hands fly to the back of the couch behind her for support. I begin peeling her jeans off, tapping one ankle and then the other once I reach the floor so she can step out of them. Sitting back on my heels, I look up again at Alice, thanking whatever luck and blessings gave me these moments with her.

“You look…” I grin. “Good enough to eat.”

As I rise back up on my knees, I slip one of my hands around her ankle and lift her leg with me, hooking her knee over my shoulder and running my hand up the outside of her thigh.

“Show me you’ve been listening. What did I tell you to do?”

“Don’t move,” Alice answers quickly. She did say she loved being a student.

“Good girl. Are you going to hold still for me?”

Alice shakes her head violently, and I grin at her honesty.