Page 22 of Ashes to Ink

And with Abby, he had to be even more gentle with her thanwith anyone else in his life.

She deserved everything from him—gentleness, calmness, him.

And he would do his best by her.

Even if that meant walking away after tonight.

“What’s wrong? You went all still.”

“I’m sorry. Forget about it.”

She shook her head and took a step back, still touching him.“No, what’s wrong?”

“I get lost in my thoughts sometimes, I can’t help it. But Ipromise, I’m all here.” And because he wanted to make that the truth, he pushedMichael, his future, and everything that might worry him out of his mind beforehe kissed her again.

“If you’re sure,” she whispered against his lips and then sankinto him, her eyes closed as she kissed him back.

“I’m sure,” he whispered.

He ran his hands through her hair, tugging slightly just tosee how she liked it. When she groaned, he tugged a little harder and thenwrapped her hair around his fist. He tipped her head back ever so slightly andthen left her lips to trail kisses along her jaw, and then licked down herneck. When he left a single bite mark on the part where her neck met hershoulder, she shivered again in his hold, and he used his other hand to pressat the small of her back, moving her even closer to him.

He knew she could feel the hard line of his erection againsther stomach, and it made him even harder.

She didn’t back away. If anything, she rocked against himeven more.

She liked this, and damn, he liked it, too.

When she tugged on his pants again, he let go of her hairand slid his other hand down to her ass. And then he lifted, picking her up inhis arms as if she weighed nothing. And she didn’t really weigh much. She wasperfect for his arms—perfect for him.

He shouldn’t think about that.

Nothing was perfect.

He knew that more than most.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he kept his mouthon hers. He wanted to take her in the bedroom first.

Later, he would take her against a wall, or maybe againstthat couch.

But she deserved the bedroom for their first time.

She deserved soft sheets and even softer caresses.

Of course, she also seemed to like it when he tugged on herhair, so he would do that again. And do it often. And more than once. They gotback to the bedroom, and he kept his mouth on hers before biting her chin.

She looked up at him, surprised, and then bit his chin inreturn.

“I like you with a beard. It’s kind of hot.”

“I like the beard, too. You like the scent?”

She licked his lips and kissed him hard. “Yeah. It’s likehoney this time.”

“Yeah. I think there’s lilac in it, too. Not quite sure. ButI like the honey. Although it always makes me hungry.”

“I’m sure we can find something for you to eat.” She winked,and he laughed, not able to hold himself back.

He let her slide down to the floor, her feet touchingsoftly. The way he did it, though, her whole body slid down his, each parttouching.