A tiny voice in the back of her head insisted he was using her, but she ignored the oppressive warning. The night Jeremy raped her four long years ago, she was given no choice. Every day since then she’d fought an inner struggle to maintain the outward pretense that everything was okay.
But it wasn’t. It hadn’t been for a long time and wouldn’t be anytime soon. Her life was too uncertain. Who knew what could happen tomorrow? God, she was so tired of being alone and afraid; it was time she moved on in the one area of her life she was capable of controlling.
Summoning her courage, she lifted her gaze to Colton’s. She trusted him. It made no sense given their brief history and his constant suspicions, but none of that mattered right now. This night, she’d make the choice of her own free will.
She leaned forward in acceptance, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply seconds before his mouth lowered to hers. Musk teased her senses and his mint breath cooled her lips. Amusement flashed. The man always had candy in his pockets.
The sensual glide of his tongue brought forth a contrasting wave of heat. While he nipped and sucked and explored the curve of her bottom lip, she flattened her palms and slid them up his chest to the back of his head. Her fingers wove into his thick, soft hair. An inarticulate whisper of pleasure formed in her throat, urging her to open and invite his full possession.
The sound triggered an answering groan that vibrated in his chest as he deepened the kiss with a powerful thrust of his tongue. One large hand cupped the back of her head. She rose on her tiptoes, shifting closer. A turn and tilt of her chin sealed their mouths together as a firestorm of passion engulfed her. It flamed across her stimulated nerve endings. Time and place ceased to exist, suspending her in a wonderful whirlpool of sensation.
Next she knew, he lifted her and walked her backward into the house without breaking contact until they were at her bedroom door. His hands caressed her back. She tentatively slid her fingers under the edge of his shirt where they met firm, warm flesh. Growing bolder, she skimmed her hands up across the muscles of his back. His rough groan gave her a surprising feeling of power.
Before she lost her nerve, she grasped the bottom of his T-shirt and dragged it up. He raised his arms, allowing her to pull it over his head. Colton sought another kiss and she dropped the shirt at their feet to free her hands for exploration. He leaned against the door while she mapped the contours of his chest. Despite her limited experience with men, something told her his build was not the norm.
He snaked one arm around her waist and began to pull her closer. Next thing she knew, the door at his back flew open and he stumbled backward into her bedroom. Kendra lost her balance and fell against him. They tumbled to the floor, her on top.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry! Are you okay?” She started to push off him as his body shook beneath her. Catching sight of his expression, she realized he was laughing.
“Fine…you?”
She smiled sheepishly and nodded. Still chuckling, he dropped his head back to the floor with a soft thud. Strong hands gripped her arms and pulled her up along his body until she stared down at his now serious expression. Her hair curtained their faces, and he threaded his fingers through it on either side of her face. Mesmerized by the intensity of his gaze, she swallowed hard.
The light brush of his thumb over her bottom lip made her chest constrict and her mouth went dry. Amazed that the thought of what she was about to do didn’t frighten her in the least, she parted her lips and gently caught his thumb between her teeth. In the dim light, she saw his eyes darken, heard the sharp intake of his breath.
She was then treated to a slow, sexy smile before he suggested, “The bed would be a lot more comfortable.”
Her stomach fluttered and an answering smile curved her lips. She was really going to do this. Nervous excitement made her lightheaded as she climbed off him and held out a hand to help him up. He grasped it tight, rose to his feet without any effort on her part, then led her to the bed.
She sat as he stood in front of her, making her tilt her head up to look at him. He reached forward and cupped her cheek with one hand.
“For the record, there’s only been three women that I’ve ever—”
She quickly rose up to place her fingers against his lips. She wasn’t ready for an exchange of confessions just yet. And if he didn’t kiss her again soon, she might begin to over-think everything and lose her nerve. “It’s okay. I’m not going to ask for any sort of commitment afterward.”
His lips tightened, and a flash of disappointment in his eyes surprised her.
In the next moment, though, he gave a slow grin, pulled her to him, and kissed her past the point of no return. Somewhere in the midst of it, she lost her shirt and bra.
He laid her on the bed and the first touch of his mouth on her breast made her gasp in amazement.
A primal throb began deep inside. A sound of pleasure escaped her lips when he swirled his tongue around her tightened nipple, then sucked it into his mouth. So hot. The sensations incredible. She’d never imagined a man’s touch could make her feel this way. She trembled and shifted h
er hips restlessly as the ache intensified with each sensual tug on her one breast and the massage of his large hand on the other.
Unsure exactly how to ease the building pressure between her legs, she fisted her fingers in his hair and drew him up for another kiss. Then she resumed her exploration of his body, brushing her fingers along the front waistband of his jeans. His stomach muscles tightened, and her hand jerked, bumping against his arousal. Colton groaned.
She drew back, dismayed that she’d hurt him. His hand quickly reached for hers, and he pressed her palm against his length. As his tongue twisted with hers, his erection pulsed under her fingers and that’s when she understood. He enjoyed her touch. An experimental rub drew forth another groan.
Suddenly, he rolled onto his back and pulled her along so she lay on top of him. The hair on his chest teased her sensitive nipples. Would her mouth on his give him the same pleasure? She wanted to ask, but found herself tongue-tied. With a hand on either side of him, she pushed up slightly. His hands roamed down her back, over her butt, then grasped each thigh just above her knees. He pulled until her knees bracketed his hips and her pelvis rested just above his.
“Let me look at you,” he murmured, urging her into a sitting position. Her long curls covered her chest until he reached up and brushed them back over her shoulders. Then he cupped her breasts in his hands.
“Colton—”
“Shh.” He massaged for a moment, then lifted his gaze to hers. “Unbutton my jeans.”
For a split second, her heart pounded in her ears at the low command. But his fire-lit green eyes conveyed desire and a plea, not hatred and cruelty.