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He swallowed, letting her guide his hand as the brush slid along the canvas. Her body was so close that he could feel her heat seeping into him where they touched. Her scent wrapped around him even above the tang of paint. Her breath whispered over his arm, making his skin erupt with goose bumps.

“See. You’re doing so well.”

Aiden’s heart pounded as every nerve electrified. He marveled as strokes of paint appeared on the canvas, the blue swirling into something muted but relaxing. When he glanced over, he was startled to find Janae watching him. Their faces were only inches apart. His ears started buzzing, arousal slowly leeching into his awareness. He couldn’t deny the intimacy of the moment with the dim haze of the lamp and the soft rhythm of jazz music curling around them. Janae licked her lips, making them shine in a way that called to him.

He hesitated for only a moment before slowly leaning toward her, giving plenty of time for her to pull away. “Is this okay?” he asked quietly, not wanting to speak too loudly and ruin the dreamlike moment they had fallen into.

Janae nodded, her eyes soft as she gazed up at him. “Yeah.” Her voice wasn’t loud and yet it ripped through him like one too many shots of espresso.

When he leaned in, she leaned too. This time, when their lips met, there was no hesitation. He let himself fall into her orbit. She tasted faintly of the wine she’d had at dinner and something else, something uniquely her. When she parted her lips, Aiden’s hand spasmed, letting go of the paintbrush so he could wrap his arm around her and pull her close.

Janae moaned, the sound vibrating through him as her hands curled into his shirt and he heard something hit the floor. The world went quiet beyond the static in his ears as even the music faded away. Aiden gripped the back of Janae’s neck, angling her head so he could taste between her lips again. When her palms traveled up his chest, brushing over his hardened nipples before wrapping around his shoulders, he couldn’t swallow back his groan. When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers.

“Wow.”

Janae smiled before giggling. “Wow indeed.” Her eyes were half-lidded as she looked up at him. “You really are full of surprises, Aiden.”

“What can I say, you inspire me,” he replied, slightly breathless and more than a little turned on.

Chapter 19

Kissing Aiden was a little like creating a painting. When Janae painted, she seemed to go into a state where she was unaware of what was going on between her and the canvas. Then, she’d focus back in, a breathtaking piece of work in front of her.

That was how it felt to stand in the kitchen with her lips still tingling from the force of kissing Aiden. He stood in front of her, his brown eyes bright and trained on her. It made her want to dive back in and never come up for air. It made her want to paint him so she could study him on the canvas until she understood everything that made him tick. It was a terrifying feeling. She didn’t even think she’d ever felt this much with her ex and yet here she was, holding on to a man she’d only really known for less than a month, wondering if he felt the same when he looked at her.

Aiden’s cologne, spicy and cozy, mixed with the sharper tang of her paint. It should have clashed and yet, somehow, the scent worked.

“Are you okay?” Aiden said, drawing her attention. Janae looked over his face—the light dusting of barely-there freckles across his smooth, sun-kissed skin. She could see the hints of his facial hair slowly creeping out and she wondered briefly what he would look like with it grown out. How would it feel against her skin? She desperately wanted to know. It had been so long since she’d last been touched and, somehow, she trusted him not to push too far too fast.

“I’m alright,” she said finally. Her gaze landed on a small streak of paint on his cheek. She smiled and brushed her fingers over the spot. “You have a little paint on you.”

Aiden glanced at her fingers before his own hand came up, and she felt the brush of his thumb on her face. “I got it from you.” He smirked and wiggled his fingers so she could see them. “I thought you were supposed to get paint on the canvas. Isn’t that the first rule of painting?”

“Cute,” she said, deadpan, the twitch of her lips betraying her amusement.

“I’ve been told I am,” Aiden joked with a wide smile. His thumb came back, brushing her cheek again. And though the mirth stayed in his gaze, it was slowly joined by something hotter, a fire that called to Janae.

The laughter between them fell silent, like the hush right before a downpour. Their gazes locked and Janae felt something static travel through her. She could see herself in his brown gaze, and her heart felt like it was attempting to beat its way from her chest and into his. Before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in, eyes closing when he moved to meet her halfway. The kiss was warm, like a burst of sun through cool clouds. She knew she probably shouldn’t push this thing between them. There were still so many aspects to consider. And yet, she couldn’t stop herself from pulling Aiden closer and deepening the kiss. Not when he stood there, looking at her like she was worth something, touching her like she was precious.

They moved almost as one, making their way to the doorway. Aiden groaned roughly when his back hit the frame, making Janae kiss him harder. He reached up, gripping the sides of her face as he deepened their kiss, and she moaned into his mouth. She wanted him with a fierceness that was almost terrifying. This man was so soft and yet the strength in his hands was undeniable. He was the perfect blend of sweet and capable that made her want to throw him down and climb on top. Then again, he seemed amenable to that, so why was she hesitating?

They made it as far as the living room before she knew she wanted to be horizontal. She steered him to the couch and pushed softly until he fell back onto it. Not wanting to be separated from him for a moment longer than she had to, Janae followed him down, nipping at his bottom lip. Aiden groaned, and she repeated the move just to hear that noise again.

“Fuck, you are so hot,” Aiden panted as he ran his hands up and down her back. “How are you so hot?”

Janae chuckled and shook her head as she looked down at him. “Me? Look at you. You’re all good farmer boy with your perfect smile and dimples. It makes me want to mess you up.”

Aiden groaned as he dropped his head back on the couch. “You can’t just say things like that.”

“Can’t I?” She eyed the stretch of skin over his neck, only hesitating for a moment before pressing her mouth against it. She pressed sucking kisses, alternating between dragging her tongue over his skin and biting softly. Aiden shifted, his hips pressing up against hers to let her know just how affected he was by her explorations. She leaned back and eyed the light red marks her mouth had left behind.

“Are you trying to mark your territory?” Aiden asked when he opened his eyes and looked up at her. “Or are you just this bitey normally?”

Janae warmed with embarrassment. “Sorry. I should have asked you if you liked that or were okay—”

“Hey, no,” Aiden interrupted, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck to bring her forehead down to his. Their gazes connected and Janae felt a shiver run through her. “I loved it. You can set teeth into just about whatever part of me you want and I’ll ask you for more.”

She nodded before smirking. “So, you have a teeth kink?”