Page 103 of Gilt

He brushes them away. “I can’t be held accountable for acting crazy; you’ve driven me to it.”

“Okay,” I croak. For now, I’ll concede on that point. It’s not as if I’ve been the picture of mental health since we met. I guess that’s why they say crazy in love. “I love you, too.”

He heaves a sigh. “I don’t know if I deserve that.”

“Shut up and accept it,” I order him. Grabbing a fistful of his t-shirt, I pop onto my toes and offer him my lips. His face slants over mine, and he captures them like he’s captured my heart.

We stumble toward the car. Jameson feels around behind me, refusing to break off the kiss until he finds the door handle. He lays me across the back seat of the Mercedes before he creeps over me. My hand snakes around his neck, drawing our lips together again as our bodies mold to one another.

Reaching down, I fumble as I try to unfasten his jeans. He groans, and the sound of it vibrates through me. “Not in the car, Duchess.”

“Jameson,” I pull back and address him seriously, “I don’t think I can wait any longer.”

He laughs at my earnestness. “Which one of us is the guy again?”

“Let’s take off our pants and find out.” I wiggle my hips, hoping that he won’t be able to resist my suggestion.

“I swear to God that the minute you turn eighteen, I’m going to find the nearest bed and take my sweet time claiming you.”

“Claiming me?” I repeat.

He rocks his hips against me, sending a thrill pulsating between my legs. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“Claiming sounds good,” I murmur, “but I don’t want to wait.”

“It will be worth it,” he promises me.

Of that, I have no doubt. It’s more of a patience thing. The trouble is that I don’t have any left.

“I need you, Jamie.” The nickname appears on my tongue, and it’s like it’s been there my whole life—like he’s been here my whole life.

“We don’t have to wait for everything,” he reassures me, pushing a renegade strand of hair from my face.

I arch my body against him, wondering if he can really hold out. His arm circles my waist and he holds me like that. Blood rushes to my head as he leans forward and catches the top of my strapless romper in his teeth. I’m beginning to see spots in my vision when he tugs it down, freeing my breasts. I strain to change position, so I can see what’s happening, but when the heat of his mouth closes over my nipple, I go limp. He sucks it past his teeth, swirling the tip of his tongue around the swiftly hardening peak.

“I’ve waited my whole life for you, Duchess,” he tells me as he releases it. “When this is over, I’m going to take you away from here.”

“Where?” I murmur dreamily, ready to imagine what our life together will be like then.

“It doesn’t matter,” he teases, “because you won’t see anything other than the bed.”

I moan loudly as he follows that promise by taking my other nipple in his mouth. He lingers there, not trying to stop me as I begin to buck my hips against his to seek relief.

“That’s it,” he coaxes, and I feel his free hand press between my legs. He pushes aside the scrap of lace that passes for shorts and runs his fingers down me. I feel one gently push inside, and a throaty cry escapes me as he moves it in and out. “God, you are so tight. I’m going to have to do this as often as possible before your birthday.”

“Promise?” I breathe. It’s the only word that I can force out as he continues.

“Of course, Duchess. Now let go.”

I feel another finger stretching me and that’s all it takes. Jameson holds me as I release, his forehead pressed in the valley between my breasts as I ride out the gift he’s just given me.

When I’ve regained control of my body, I smile shyly at him. “Your turn.”

This time he doesn’t argue. Instead, he licks his lips and unbuttons his pants. I scramble onto my knees, but before I can return the favor, the chime of an incoming text message interrupts.

“Ignore it,” I command him just as his phone chimes again. When the third message chimes before I have his pants down, I sit back and wait for him to check his texts.

“Levi and his goddam timing,” Jameson grumbles when he sees his phone. “Apparently, I have a house guest.”