Page 53 of Four Cards Exposed

So much sacrifice.

How much is he willing to give up for this case?

“Does it hurt?”

James shook his head. His lips curled up in a wry smile. “I didn’t expect the scratcher to be such an artist. I’m almost going to be sorry to have it removed.”

His hands found the bottom of her top, pulled it upwards, exposing her navel. “I spent time trying to remember if you had an innie or an outie. Now I won’t forget,” he said, blowing a kiss onto her navel, then peppering her stomach with little kisses.

She heard what he wasn’t saying. “You’ve been thinking about me?”

“I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.” He inhaled sharply. “I shouldn’t do this. I should let you go. But I want you,” he whispered, “more than I want my next breath.”

She felt her breath catch at his raw admission, but knew reacting to it would be the wrong move. That it’d make him pull away.

Instead, she looked him straight in the eyes and gave him what she hoped was a sexy smile.

“I have to be back at the bar at noon,” she said, sitting up and shrugging out of her top. Underneath, she was wearing a lacy fuchsia bra. Not a color she normally would have chosen for herself, but one that had featured prominently in Milena’s wardrobe.

Sadness for Milena threatened to overwhelm her. Susan anchored herself to the present by holding on to James’s hair—hair that was now long enough to get her fingers tangled in it.

James groaned, pulling against her fingers, then again, louder this time, as she tightened her hold on his hair in response.

His hand slid down her side, grabbing on to her butt. Even through her jeggings, his hands felt hot. He raised her leg, opening her up to him. His thumb found the seam and rubbed gently, a simulacrum of what she really needed.

“I can feel your heat.” His voice was an octave lower than usual.

Susan’s hips moved shamelessly against his touch, looking for more—more pressure. More of him. She’d never been able to get herself off without direct contact against her clit, but this heat—this pleasure that was almost pain—was also unheard of in her experience.

“Take them off,” she begged.

Feel me.

Fill me.

I’m yours.

His thumbs hooked on the elastic waist. He pulled down, her jeggings and her underwear coming off at the same time.

“Man, these are tight.”

“But fashionable,” Susan laughed. The laugh died in her mouth as his thumb pressed against her core, now with nothing between them.

He rubbed up towards her clit, and then he was finally there.

Susan screamed in pleasure.

“So wet. For me.”

For you.

It was a truth that didn’t bear examining.

Concentrate on the physical.

Concentrate on the pleasure.

She couldn’t allow herself to want anything else with this man. Not when he’d made it so clear that he wasn’t looking for anything else.