Page 56 of Animal Beats

My core clenches.

I need this man.

My hands skim his chest. “Never said you weren’t cocky.”

“Stick with me, Babysitter. You’ll soon find out all about cocky.” He fists the hem of my shirt and brings it up my body.

Today I wore a pale blue lingerie set. “You’re turn,” I say, grasping his long-sleeved shirt.

I’m rewarded by the sight of his sculpted, naked torso. One he shows off to the world, but for this moment, belongs only to me. His defined abs call out for me to lick them, but I settle for tracing them with my fingers. They contract as I touch each muscle.

“Keep doing that, Babysitter, and you’ll soon be on your back.”

With him over me. Pushing into me. Sign me up! Keeping my wayward thoughts to myself, I reply, “Is that where you want me?”

Río steadies himself over me. “I want you next to me for a long, long time.” He blazes a line of kisses down my neck to my collarbone, which he licks. “Only if you’re up for that.”

“The question is,” I quip. “Are you?”

He doesn’t say a word, simply grabs my hand and puts it over the fly on his jeans. “What do you think?”

Beneath the zipper, his erection is unmistakable. For good measure, I give it a squeeze. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

He growls and unhooks my bra. “Pretty in blue. Prefer it on the floor, though.” He tosses the material in the air.

We’re back to the way we were last night. Both naked from the waist up, with his mouth attached to my breast, my other nipple hard and begging for the same treatment. I arch my back, giving him better access to the other one, which he takes at once. With his free thumb, he strokes the other bud, sending jolts directly to my core.

“You’re beautiful, inside and out, Hayden.”

“So are you, Río.”

He huffs. “Not like you. You’re so pure, I can’t believe you’re letting me touch you this way.”

“Trust me, I’m not that pure. While I might never have started a riot in Rome, I’m not all rainbows and unicorns.”

He reaches down and unzips my pants, stripping them off my body together with my shoes and socks. “Such fantastical creatures never even dared cross the lawn in front of my home.”

His words make me sad. The little boy, who should’ve been showered in love, was neglected and used as a pawn. I cup his cheek. “Maybe they could move in now?”

He tosses his head backward and laughs. “I think I’m good.” His gaze travels along my almost-naked length. “You are so beautiful.” The next thing I know, he’s kissing my torso and running his tongue around my belly button, causing my hips to swivel.

“Río! That tickles!”

“Then I better do something not to make you laugh.” He rolls my blue panties down my limbs, and stares at me. “I can think of a few things.”

“Oh.” Without thought, my thighs clamp shut.

“Well.” He skims my legs with his fingers, spending extra time circling his thumbs behind my knees. With each touch, my legs separate a bit. When he removes his hands, I nearly cry out at the loss, and my legs open for him. “Looks like you’re ready for me now.”

“I might be.”

“Might? You’re not sure? What if I touched your folds right now? Would I find you wet for me?” His hand stalls in mid-air. “Or, I could lick you there. Is that your preference?”

My head thrashes against the pillows on the sofa. Either! Words don’t form. Instead, I let out a low groan.

Rather than entering me, he places his fingers in his mouth and I almost come on the spot. I want him. Now! However he wants me. “Río. Please.”

“Since you asked me so nicely, can I assume you’re leaving the choice up to me?”