Burned Deep (Burned 1)

I snickered. “You don’t have to win every time. You could maybe concede once in a while.”

“Not really my style.” He hoisted himself up. I protested with a small whimper. He added, “Don’t worry, baby. I’m nowhere near done with you.” With a sexy wink, he untangled himself and stood.

Sighing dreamily over the view, I watched him saunter off to the bathroom. Jesus, he was a masterpiece. I could barely take my eyes off his ass to admire his broad, tapered back. His narrowed waist. His powerful thighs.

How the hell was I so lucky that he wanted me? It boggled my mind. And that he seemed as deeply enthralled … That just felt crazy and impossible. Yet there was absolutely nothing about him that would make me believe that everything he said was some sort of devious mistruth. Granted, I had no basis of comparison, but the way he’d fucked me and the things he’d said … And then the way he’d—

My thoughts came to a screeching halt and I bolted upright. I pulled around me the chenille throw that was tossed haphazardly into the corner and covering the cushion where I was sprawled.

He’d fucked me at first. No doubt there. But then … He’d made love to me. When he’d been between my legs, buried deep inside me and staring into my eyes … He’d made love to me.

My stomach flipped.

Okay, Ari. Time to face facts.

Dane was absolutely right.

This. Is. Serious.

chapter 15

Not just what had happened with us this evening and how I’d responded to it—to Dane—physically. But emotionally as well—most important of all, really.

That I’d not had an orgasm with another man, only my vibrator and nameless/faceless fantasies, bore its own significance. Along with the blatant reality that I’d just been scratching nature’s itch from time to time. Unsuccessfully.

This, however …

Whole new ball of wax.

As Dane returned, my gaze was fixed on him, taking in every glorious inch of his tanned and toned body. The way he stealthily, confidently moved. The way he watched me watch him.

I tossed off the lightweight blanket and stood. My hands moved over his cut abs, up to his chest.

“You did say you were nowhere done with me, right?” My voice was low and sultry. Suggestive. Because I wanted him again.

One corner of his mouth lifted. “I don’t want to wear you out all in one evening.”

“Pretty sure I’ll bounce back.”

A heartbeat later he swept me off my feet. Literally and figuratively.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I said, “You seem to like doing that.”

“Well, you did call me alpha.”

“Good thing I didn’t say caveman or I’d be over your shoulder.”

He carried me down the long hallway and into a bedroom. Dozens of candles ensconced in glasses of varying shapes, sizes, and heights were lit along the mantel, on the nightstands, across the wide ledge of the headboard. A fire warmed the room. No lights illuminated the space, just the flames.

The king-size bed was covered by a rich, navy-colored satin sheet, with plump pillows that had shams to match. Dane sat me in the middle of the mattress and I curled my fingers around the lush material.

“This is gorgeous,” I said as I absorbed it all in awe. My gaze landed on a nightstand and I leaned forward, fingering the velvety red and white rose petals scattered about. Warmth laced through me. I glanced back at Dane. “You did all of this for me?”

“I told you this wasn’t going to be like your hotel hookups. There’s nothing casual about this at all, Ari.”

“You’re trying to make me believe in romance—in my life, not just with my clients?” I shook my head. “I’m not saying that lightly, because this is really sweet and thoughtful.”

He said, “It occurred to me the other night that I’m not exactly romantic myself. I’ve never felt the desire or need to be, honestly. But with you … I wanted you to know what all this might be like. Granted, I’m not incredibly original, given my own lack of experience—I even forgot the music.”