Page 19

He laughs, and I kiss the smile before it disappears.

“Stay?” I ask, brushing my lips against his.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Ross holds me close.

“Good.” I tuck my face against his neck.

“Good.” His hand moves slowly over my back.

Outside, the snow keeps falling. Inside, I stop worrying about whether the moment will end.

I have his warmth, his steady breathing, and the knowledge that tomorrow morning he will still be making my ridiculous latte.

“I love you,” I whisper against his shoulder.

“I love you too.” Ross kisses the top of my head.

Ross lifts his head from mine, his eyes searching my face. The apartment is quiet except for the wind blowing against the windowpanes. I slide my fingers into his and stand, suddenly aware of my heart beating hard.

“Come with me.” I step toward the hallway but stop when he doesn’t move.

“Kira.” Ross rises slowly, his hand warm around mine. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.” I draw him close, his breath against my cheek. “I love you.”

His forehead rests against mine. “I love you too.” Ross kisses me gently, unhurried, and I feel his smile as I kiss him back.

I lead him toward my bedroom, and he follows, his fingers threaded through mine. At the doorway, he pauses to kiss me again, one hand cupping my cheek as if he wants to remember every second. I turn off the light, pull him inside, and close the door on the rest of the world.

“Are you sure about this, Kira?” Ross wraps his hands around my wrists, stopping me from ripping his shirt off.

“Ross, I told you once—I’ll say it again: your flannel shirt would look better on my floor. Now take it off.”

“Now who’s the bossy one?” Ross releases my wrists and strips off his flannel in record time, throwing it on the floor. “Happy now?”

“Not quite.” I reach for his belt buckle, undo it, then slide the zipper down before he can react.

“I thought we weren’t going to rush.” He places a hand over mine.

“I need you, Ross.” Before I can draw a breath, Ross’s lips crash down on mine, and he starts yanking my clothes off. It isn’t long before we are both naked and panting for more.

“Damn, Kira, you’re beautiful, but with all that ink on you, you’re stunning. Like a living, breathing work of art.” His fingers trace the tattoo along my ribs. It hurt like hell when Keanu gave it to me but seeing the awe in Ross’s eyes as he gazes at it is definitely worth any pain I endured.

“You’re not so bad yourself, bossy.” I tease, running my fingers over the tallest tree on his tattoo.

Ross picks me up bridal style and gently lays me on the bed. “Too bad we don’t have any of that whipped cream or caramel you like so much.”

“Next time.” I loop my arms around his neck and pull him on top of me.

“Kira, I’m barely holding on here.”

“Then don’t.” I kiss him deeply, rubbing my breasts against his chest.

His hand slips between our bodies as his fingers find my soaking wet pussy. “Shit, Kira, you’re soaked.”

“Because of you.” I lift my hips, rubbing my center against his hand.

He kisses his way down my body and places a soft kiss on my clit before spreading my pussy lips with his thumbs. “Mine.” He growls while running his tongue through my wet heat. He slips a finger inside of me, and my inner muscles squeeze it tight, causing wetness to leak out around his hand. His tongue licks faster as he adds a second finger. “You’re so tight.” He moans, the vibration igniting me, and I come all over his hand. “Good girl.” He lifts his head, his beard glistening with my juices. “I need you, Kira.”