It was because he’d used his I-don’t-give-two-shits attitude to keep people away.
Or to stay alive.
Maybe the mystery and hint of danger surrounding him was the reason I easily and without reservation slipped my arms around his neck when he pulled me into a kiss.
But not just any kiss; one that would live in my mind for weeks. Months. At this rate, maybe even years. Between his hot breath and natural scent of manly testosterone, I was lost in a hopeless sea of desire. To make matters worse, he was a fabulous kisser, knowing exactly when to play rough and dirty and when to pull back, allowing me just a taste of control.
I sensed he was a very dominating man, the type of guy who refused to take no for an answer when he fixated on something.
Or someone.
Tonight, I was the benefactor of a practiced, almost expert tongue that immediately brought me into a zone outside my body where I was floating. I tangled my fingers in his hair for no other reason than to try to keep myself grounded.
But things weren’t going too well, a sheer wave of pure ecstasy coming way too soon. From a single kiss. Granted, a magical hot wildfire of a kiss.
His tongue became a lethal weapon, creating such electricity that for almost a full minute, I couldn’t move. But when I wiggled in his arms, I could tell exactly how excited he was. I’d noticed the thick bulge between his legs several times all throughout making and enjoying dinner together.
Yet he’d remained aloof, answering questions with only a few words while studying me as if pulling apart every layer. I’d never felt so exposed in my life and I remained completely dressed.
He rolled his hand down my back, crushing the full weight of his body against mine. In being breathless, there was no sense of suffocation as I’d experienced before with unwanted kisses. Even with his sheer muscle, being in his capable hands, I felt protected.
Cherished.
Wanted.
All good things for a girl who’d been so damn lost for far too long. That made the moment that much more special, even if the experience would be a one-off. I was no fool about what this was.
We were enjoying decent company after sparring our way out of a battle zone. Who was I to interrupt such a stupendous moment?
Tiny moans slipped past our locked lips, the sound creating an almost desperate vibe. While he’d lifted me onto my toes, holding me while his cock throbbed against my stomach, I waspulling on his shirt, longing to expose even an inch of his heated skin.
Finally, a slight accomplishment and I slipped my hand underneath, immediately experiencing a series of colorful stars. There was such power in his hold, a need that had been bottled for a long time. That was easy to sense by his rough and tumble demeanor.
When we pulled our lips free, we both took gasping breaths. He still had one hand wrapped around the back of my neck, holding me in place. Maybe he never intended on letting me go. What was wrong with wishful thinking?
He nipped my bottom lip, his husky laugh afterward sending another thrill through me. I undulated my hips at the same time while tugging on his hair, which was thick and silky, creating a vibe of need that was long overdue.
I don’t know what was running through his mind, but I did know his body wasn’t going to allow him to ignore the attraction. When he lifted me off the floor entirely, I laughed nervously. His right eyebrow lifted and I had a sense the slight gesture was his only way of taking the time to ask me if this was what I wanted.
Of course it was.
My nipples had ached all evening, especially when I’d noticed that he’d flitted his gaze to my chest. The dress, while tickling my calves, was only remotely sexy, at least from what Darlene had told me, yet he’d been fascinated by how the light material had hugged my curves. I was a woman. I knew when a man was hoping for x-ray vision.
While I was lost in my sinful thoughts, he continued taking control, including moving from the kitchen with long strides. He headed for the stairs as if he’d been to the house before.
And I didn’t stop him. Not a chance.
I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d had sex. Forget about passion. The notion was a thing for movies where stars had body doubles. I’d kept every flaw to myself and he was eager to expose them.
Viper took the stairs two at a time, sensing exactly where to go. Granted, I’d kept the bedroom light on after I’d grabbed Sailor’s pills, but he was taking ownership.
Even after an experience in the past, I craved that in a man, an attribute that had been completely unattractive before.
Once inside the bedroom, he captured my lips a second time, the kiss long and sensual. All while I tugged and pulled on his shirt, longing to see every inch of him. I’d been fascinated by the tattoo and he’d known it. He’d also sensed my reaction had been personal, allowing me to keep the memories to myself.
That took someone who’d been through an experience as painful as I’d been.
Not tonight. Why was it that my mind had yet to begin to heal?
