Page 179 of No Headlines Please

Her breath caught against my mouth, soft and trembling, and I felt it everywhere – on my lips, in my chest, and low in my stomach where everything was already wound too tight.

When I shifted again, the sheets twisted around us, and she made this quiet little sound that nearly did me in.

And then, she whispered, "I want you."

Holy hell.

I wanted her, too – more than I'd ever wanted anyone. But I was planning to take my sweet time.

I slid a hand from her ass and reached between us, skimming the inside of her thigh through the silky panties. Then I nudged the fabric aside and ran a slow finger along her heat.

She was already slick and ready.

I took my time, letting my touch linger, learning the way she responded – the slight catch in her breath, the way her hips shifted just enough to meet my hand.

"Maddox…" she whispered, like it was half warning, half plea.

"Yeah?" I murmured against her mouth, kissing her again – slow and deliberate, like I wasn't in any hurry to stop.

Her fingers slid to my shoulders, tightening as I moved my fingers just enough to make her feel it, to keep her right on the edge. She arched into my hand, the earlier teasing gone, replaced with a want that nearly made me smile.

She was so close.

I brushed my lips along her jaw, down the curve of her neck, and whispered against her skin. "You were saying…?"

She was panting now. "Was I?"

I slid a finger into her opening and savored the feel of her. She was warm and slick, and beyond ready.

But I wasn't done with this yet.

And neither was she.

Her breath hitched as I moved, her body tightening around my touch before melting again, like she couldn't decide whether to hold on or let go. Her hands slid from my shoulders into my hair as she said my name again. "Maddox…"

"Yeah?" I murmured, my voice rougher now as I kissed my way back to her mouth, swallowing the next sound she made as I shifted my hand just enough to make her gasp.

Her hips lifted, the silky panties brushing against my hand as she chased the movement, her control slipping a little more with every second as she clung to me like she wasn't ready to let go.

I loved her like this.

"That's it," I murmured against her lips, not pushing her over, just keeping her right where she wanted to be.

She broke the kiss with a soft, breathless sound, her forehead pressed to mine. "You're not playing…" she started, and then stopped, her breath catching again as I moved.

I brushed my mouth along hers. "Not what?"

Her answer came out in a rush, half laugh, half surrender. "Fair. Not playing fair."

I smiled against her lips. "Hey, you're the one who tossed the shirt."

On a groan, she whispered, "Best decision, ever."

Her breath caught again, sharper this time, her fingers clenching in my hair as if she needed something to hold onto. She whispered, "Don't stop." The words were barely there, more breath than sound.

I didn't stop. Instead, I slowed just enough to keep her there, letting the tension build, drawing it out until every small movement made her react. Her hips moved against my hand, chasing, asking without words.

"Yeah," I murmured against her mouth, kissing her again, softer now, like I had all the time in the world. "I've got you."