“It’s fine.” She sniffed into his chest. It really wasn’t fine. They were anything but fine.
Wanting to get her mind, and his, off her depressing home life, he asked, “Want something to eat? I can’t promise much, but I’m sure I can scrounge up something.” He pulled away to gaze down at her.
“Yes, please.” Her voice was like cracked glass. Still pretty but slightly broken.
Walking to his fridge, he opened it and realized he had pretty much nothing of substance. “I need to shop more,” he muttered. “The choices are eggs and cheese or cheese and eggs?” He flicked a smile over his shoulder to see her watching him.
“I’m allergic to eggs.”
Color him shocked. “Seriously?”
Red tinged her cheeks. “Yes.”
“Okay then, how about pizza?”
Her nose had wrinkled before she answered. “Not a fan.”
His jaw dropped open. “You’re shittin’ me?” She shook her head. Well, balls. “Why not?”
Shrugging, she told him, “I’m not a fan of feta cheese, and that’s all the cook would use at home. Something about it not being real pizza without it.”
He couldn’t help the laugh that exploded from him.
“Oh baby, have no fear, I’ll take care of you.”
“If you say so.” She side-eyed him while he ordered the deep dish he liked.
Hanging up, he told her, “Half cheese, half pepperoni and bacon. I’ll make a pizza lover out of you yet.” She gave him a disarming smile, full of indulgence. “Come with me, we’ll get you something more comfortable to wear.” He held out a hand for her to take. His idea being completely selfish. He only wanted to see her in his clothes.
They sat, they ate pizza, they laughed. Lord did he make Sophia laugh. She couldn’t remember the last time if ever, she’d spent an evening relaxing with someone just for the sake of kinship. Lennox understood her in ways she didn’t understand herself.
As the sun set and the clock chimed eleven p.m., she knew she couldn’t keep him up any longer to avoid her nightmares.
“If you show me where the linens are, I can make a bed on the sofa?” she asked him shyly, not wanting to intrude.
A look entered his eyes she couldn’t decipher as he grabbed her hand, making her choose between following him or losing the limb. He led her up the stairs, past the bedrooms, and into his room. She stood dumbfounded in the doorway.
When he started peeling his clothes from his body, she was torn between wanting to see the rippling flesh underneath the straining Henley he wore and her modesty. Modesty won as she saw him unbuckling his jeans. Her eyes slammed shut, and her head turned away, his chuckle meeting her ears.
“What’s so funny?”
It took a moment for him to answer. “You,” his voice was soft in her ear, “trying not to look.” His voice…like smooth velvet.
“I…I didn’t want to overstep.” Did she have to sound so naïve?
She felt the warmth of his hands seep through the shirt and shorts he’d given her to wear earlier as he encircled her waist. The hold was intimate, sensual, as he pressed her entire body against his own. There wasn’t a single inch of space between them as they swayed back and forth. He didn’t push for more than what she was giving, but he didn’t back off either. She had a feeling he wouldn’t.
“What,” she had to clear her throat to get her question out, “what are you doing, Lennox?” Was that her voice? Soft and sexy.
“I love the way you purr my name, sweet Sophia.” His murmured words did something to her. They were full of heat and a deep-seated need she didn’t understand.
His hands began roaming her body, heating her from the outside into her core. Her body felt lightweight, her mind was heady with erotic thoughts as his lips slowly kissed along her neck.
Spinning her in his arms, their mouths crashed together like fuses. His grip on her hips was harsh as he dominated every thought in her mind. Her body came alive for him, her breasts felt heavy with the need to be touched while her sex pulsed
with a desire to be worshipped. It was startling to realize she wanted all these sexual things she’d never even thought of before. As the back of her legs met the mattress and she stumbled, he pulled her further into his body, as if the mere thought of losing any contact with her was abysmal.
When his hands roamed further down her body, she lit up. Gone was any hesitation. In its place were complete obedience and a passion so intense she almost couldn’t breathe. Her leg hitched onto his hip of its own volition while she tried to attach her body to his. With his hands on her ass, he started rocking her back and forth on his thigh, the friction against her core enough to send so much pleasure coursing through her body that she saw stars behind her lids.