It’s not a question, but it’s not quite a command either. It’s somewhere in between, leaving the choice entirely up to me.
I know exactly what he’s asking. And I know I’m well within my rights to say no. I’m not a Cherry anymore—Chief made that clear after I told him I wanted to leave. No one can demand anything from me.
But the way Rambler is looking at me like I’m the brightest star in the sky, like he can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else but with me, makes me want to throw caution to the wind.
“Okay,” I say softly.
The corner of his mouth ticks up. “Yeah?”
I nod, then toss my bar rag onto the counter. “Yeah.”
His eyes darken as he watches me walk around the bar toward him. He spins on his stool to face me, spreading his legs so I can step between them. When I do, his hands settle on my hips, warm and callused, thumbs lightly brushing the strip of bare skin between my tank top and shorts.
I rest my hands on his thighs, feeling the hard muscle beneath the worn denim. His eyes never leave mine as I slide my palms up toward his hips, enjoying the way his muscles flex under my touch.
“You sure about this, butterfly?” he asks, his voice a low rumble that vibrates in my chest.
I nod. “Yeah. I’m sure.”
That’s all he needs to hear.
In one smooth move, he slides off the stool and picks me up, hands gripping my thighs. I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck, a little squeak of surprise escaping me.
“I’ve been thinking about this since the minute I laid eyes on you,” he growls.
Then his mouth is on mine, and oh my god.
His lips are firm but gentle, moving against mine like a man on a mission to claim his prize. There’s no fumbling, no awkward teeth-clashing or too much tongue. He kisses like he knows exactly what he’s doing, and what he’s doing is driving me absolutely wild.
I moan against his mouth, my fingers digging into the muscles of his shoulders. He takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that makes heat pool between my thighs. He tastes like beer and cigarettes.
Without breaking the kiss, he starts walking, carrying me toward the stairs like I weigh nothing. His hands tighten on my thighs, and I can’t help but roll my hips against him, feeling how hard he is already.
He groans into my mouth, and the sound sends a shiver down my spine.
We barely make it up the stairs.
He stops twice to press me against the wall and kiss me senseless, his hands roaming over my body like he can’t get enough. By the time we reach the top, I’m a panting and desperate mess, grinding against him shamelessly.
“Easy, butterfly,” he murmurs against my lips. “We’ve got all night.”
Hell yeah.
He carries me down the hall to his room, kicking the door closed behind us before setting me down on my feet. The loss of contact makes me whimper, but he’s back within seconds, his large hands framing my face as he kisses me again, slower this time but no less intense.
“I need to tell you something,” he says when he finally pulls back, his breath coming fast. “I’ve got... particular tastes.”
I blink up at him, trying to clear the fog of desire from my brain. “What do you mean?”
His thumb traces my bottom lip, and his eyes follow the movement. “I like to be in control. In bed. I’m not a gentle man, butterfly,” he clarifies quickly. “But, I won’t hurt you. I just…need you to know what you’re getting into.”
Instead of answering with words, I rise up on my tiptoes and press my mouth to his, sliding my tongue past his lips in a bold move that makes him groan. When I pull back, I whisper against his lips, “Show me.”
Something dark and hungry flashes in his eyes, and then he’s kissing me again, harder this time, walking me backward until the backs of my knees hit the bed. His hands go to the hem of my tank. He breaks the kiss just long enough to pull it over my head and toss it aside.
His eyes darken as they roam over my bare chest. “Fuck, look at you.”
I’ve always been self-conscious about my small breasts, but the pure appreciation in his gaze makes me feel beautiful. His large hands cup them, thumbs brushing over my nipples, and I arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips.
