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His eyes move to my lips. Slowly. Then back again. “You're not the only one.”
I search his eyes. The guarded expression I've come to know so well slips away. He doesn't try to hide what's underneath. It's like he willingly lifted a veil I didn't know was there, and what I see in them makes me gasp.
Hunger. Longing. So much fucking longing for me that it makes my knees go weak.
How long has he…?
“Oh.” It's all I can manage.
His mouth twists, almost painfully resigned to the truth he isn’t hiding anymore. “Yeah.”
I bring both hands to his cheeks. His stubble grazes my palms as I slowly draw him down towards me.
He lets me.
“Jude.” I pull him closer until my body is pressed against his beneath the water. His chest rises sharply against mine. I can feel his heart pounding. Mine is too. For a moment, I can't tell which heartbeat belongs to whom.
“I want you.”
His forehead comes to rest against mine.
“Nora, if I do this…”
He stops. His fingers flex against my waist.
“If I taste your lips…”
I feel him swallow.
“I'm not sure I’ll ever want to stop.”
My chest tightens. I rise onto my toes and bring my mouth close to his. Our noses brush. His eyes search mine.
“Please,” I whisper against his lips. “I need you.” My voice breaks.
His eyes darken until his pupils seem to swallow almost all the green. I see the war going on in those beautiful eyes.
His jaw clenches.
Once.
Twice.
“Fuck it.”
Suddenly, one hand slides up my back, his fingers curling into my wet hair, angling my head just so, while the other slides to my hips. He lifts me effortlessly as my arms tighten around his neck and my legs wrap around his waist.
His lips capture mine and I’m lost.
Oh. God.
I gasp against his mouth. Every inch of my body is connected to every inch of his. He kisses me harder, deeper, making my toes curl, and a desperate, hungry sound leaves my mouth.
“Nora,” he whispers against my lips.
My hands go into his hair. It's wet and soft between my fingers, and when I tug, a low sound escapes his throat.
Oh, I like that sound.
