But I lost.
At least my punishment had a six-pack, a kind heart, and knew exactly how to make me smile.
“You’ve waited this long,” I said, slowly sliding my fingers up his chest. “You’re not going to lose control now. Are you?” I asked, hoping he said yes.
He answered caught me off guard when he kissed me—hard. His hands grabbed my waist, pushing me against the wall again. His mouth moved hungrily against mine, taking everything I gave and asking for more.
I gasped as Dane’s tongue slid against mine, slow and deep. My hands fisted the fabric of his shirt, wanting to rip it off him. He took the clue and tugged it free from his jeans, letting me help by sliding it up his chest and over his head. I tossed it on the floor, and Dane kicked it away.
My fingertips trailed down his warm chest. I didn’t mean to admire him too much, but holy hell, his body made it hard. His broad chest full of lean muscle drew too much of my gaze. He had a scar on his right-side rib cage. I ran a finger over it, causing Dane to shiver. I’d have to ask him about it later.
“Take it off,” he growled in my ear. “I want to know all of you. Every inch.”
He tugged my shirt over my head, tossed it behind him somewhere, and openly stared at my chest. I grinned and let him. It’s not like I could say anything after I’d just spent a full minute ogling his pecs.
“I can’t believe you’ve been keeping these hidden for months,” he said, resting his hands lightly over my breasts. He gave me a gentle squeeze, and my head fell back, hitting the wall.
He watched as I unhooked my bra and released the straps. “Then do something about it.”
Dane licked his lips and then lifted his hands, letting my bra fall from my breasts. “Oh, fuck.”
His mouth crashed against mine again, hotter this time, more urgent. The surrounding air grew heavy, making it hard to breathe. Our hands moved over one another—touching, feeling, being. Dane kissed down my neck, across my collarbone, and then murmured my name like a prayer as he picked me up.
We kissed as I wrapped my legs around his waist. We barely made it to the couch, but when we did, he lowered me onto it like my life was the most precious thing on the planet. I didn’t need more, but he gave me some, anyway.
Dane paid attention to my chest, the short stubble on his chin rubbing against my skin. His kisses ran down the curve of my ribcage, and he kissed me at the same place where he had his scar. I sucked in a breath with his gentle care. Then his lips lowered until his fingers slipped beneath the band of my leggings.
“Can I?” he asked, his voice thick with desire.
I nodded, my throat no longer working.
With two hands, Dane slid my leggings from my legs, following with kisses down the inside of my thigh. I tensed, sucked in a breath, and held still. Heat flooded between my legs.
When his face rose, he settled between my knees. My head was floating, my thoughts everywhere as Dane smiled at me. “You’re so fucking gorgeous.”
His eyes were full of fire. It scared me. Made me feel alive.
Dane kissed me again as he worked to lower his own pants. Our bodies skimmed against one another, my ache for him growing. I couldn’t wait much longer. I wanted Dane. Everywhere.
I needed him against me, in me, body and soul.
Dane’s jeans hit the floor, and he resettled between my legs. “Are you okay here, or do you want to move upstairs?”
“Here,” I said, my voice husky. “I can’t risk the staircase.”
Dane laughed, but it was the truth. I’d almost fallen down that spiral staircase more than once, and I wasn’t full of longing during those times. He reached for me as if he couldn’t stop himself.
That made two of us.
He collapsed on top of me like he couldn’t hold himself up anymore. Our rhythm started slow, every movement deliberate.
“You’re so perfect,” he said before taking my mouth again. “So perfect.”
I couldn’t speak, but I felt it too.
My fingers curled against his back, my nails digging into his skin as our movements grew quicker. Tension continued to build between us with every stroke. Dane kissed me everywhere, like he’d never get enough of me.
My release hit hard. Lights flickered behind my eyes as I called out his name. He followed soon after as our foreheads rested together.
