Renegade Path

“And you’re mine.” She turned, giving me her back, and lifted her long, heavy hair. “Will you help me with my dress?”

Hell yes.

My fingers trembled as I gripped the tiny, hidden zipper and tugged it down, revealing creamy skin and little freckles. I leaned down to kiss the back of her neck, inhaling her scent. Roses and vanilla frosting.

The dress dropped to the floor in a puddle at her feet and she carefully stepped out of it. Leaning over, she picked it up and I almost lost my damn mind.

Her breasts swelled up over the cups of her strapless bra. My gaze traveled lower, enthralled with my unobstructed, unhurried view of her stomach and hips. Her cute belly button that I couldn’t wait to tease with my tongue. Lower, my gaze stopped on the small satin panties in the same shade of deep red as her dress. When I could breathe again, I continued drinking her in. Long, smooth, bare legs. Black heels. A fantasy come to life.

We’d spent a lot of afternoons making out. Quick, stolen moments, forever etched in my mind. But this was different. I didn’t have to hurry. I wasn’t afraid we’d get caught. Music continued to flow from the speakers downstairs and Juliet swayed to the melody.

But it was her gaze that pinned me in place.

She held out her hands. “Dance with me.”

Her invitation snapped me out of my trance and I took her hands in mine. This dance had nothing to do with what we’d learned in gym class. I spun her around and kissed the sensitive spot on her neck. Her body perfectly molded to mine. I nipped at her earlobe and she leaned against me even more. I dropped my hands to her hips and we settled into a slow grind. The curve of her backside fit so perfectly against me. I was free to take my time exploring every exposed inch of her.

Spinning her around, I took her mouth, kissing her until the music faded away, replaced by our beating hearts. My overheated blood shot through my veins. The electricity sparking between us had my cock harder than ever. Stiff and throbbing. If I came in my pants again—like the day in the photo lab—I’d never forgive myself.

“Juliet,” I whispered, squeezing the firm globes of her ass to slow her down.

“Roman,” she answered. Her fingers reached for the cheap bow tie at my neck, pulling it loose. She went to work on my buttons, stripping off my jacket and shirt. I couldn’t let her near my belt, or I’d definitely come in my pants.

“Lie on the bed for me.” I nodded to the neatly made-up queen-sized bed against the wall. “Let me see you.”

A pretty flush spread down her neck and chest as she hurried over and climbed onto the bed.

Oh, fuck. That didn’t slow down my racing heart at all. Especially when she kicked off the heels and stretched out on her side. She propped her head up on her hand and watched me fumble with the unfamiliar buckle and trousers.

“Oh, Roman,” she gasped, covering her mouth with one hand.

I glanced down, afraid I’d already shot my load and just hadn’t realized it. But no, I was still harder than a motherfuckin’ log.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid that’s going to hurt.”

My mouth curled into a smug smile and I approached the bed with surer steps. “I’ll go slow. I’d never hurt you.”

“I know,” she whispered.

She watched with wide eyes while I took the three condoms from my pocket and set them on the nightstand.

I placed a knee on the bed and stared down at her. “Are you sure?”

“Surer than I’ve ever been about anything.” She rolled to her back and curled a finger, inviting me closer.

I settled myself between her legs, holding my weight above her. “Kiss me, butterfly.” I lowered my head and feasted on her full lips. She rubbed her tongue against mine, panting into my mouth.

“I love kissing you,” she whispered against my lips.

She slid her palms over my freshly shaved face and kissed me even harder. I desperately needed to be skin on skin with her. Slipping my arms under her, I rolled us so she was on top. She laughed as she settled over me.

“What are you doing?”

“I need to see you. All of you.”

My fingers fumbled with the stubborn clasp of her bra. “May I?”

The smile vanished. “Yes, Roman,” she answered.

I continued grappling with her bra hooks until she finally took mercy on me. “Need some help?”

“Go easy on me. It’s my first one.”

She raised an eyebrow.

I pressed my hands against her cheeks, needing her to understand how serious I was. “I’ve never done this with anyone else.”

Her gaze skittered away. Or maybe the flickering candles made it seem that way. “I never wanted this with anyone else,” she finally said.