Chapter 7
Grace
The car is completelysilent. “Awkward Grace strikes again,” I whisper.
In my defense, I don’t have any experience with seduction. My approach might have been... not very seductive.
“I mean, only if you want to. I’m not forcing you to take my virginity or anything.” Horrified by the words that keep coming out of my mouth, I feel my face get hot. “Oh, God, why am I like this?” I mutter.
Rowan smiles and then laughs. The sound causes my abdominal muscles to clench. “I like the way you are. I find Awkward Grace delightful. She’s a breath of fresh air.”
Some of my embarrassment dissipates because he isn’t laughing at me. I smile. “Really? I wish she’d stay away sometimes.”
His smile fades until his eyes, holding mine captive, turn smoldering. “I’m interested. Very. But I’m thinking I should at least take you on a proper date first.”
I’m almost sure that if I offered another man my virginity, he’d have me naked within seconds. But Rowan doesn’t jump my bones. No, he wants to wine and dine me first. A true gentleman. I’ve definitely made the right choice.
After my ordeal weeks ago, seeing how quickly and easily life can vanish, I don’t want to wait. I’m going to seize the moment. “I don’t mind if that comes after.”
Rowan rubs his chin as if in deep thought. “You’re breaking down the bounds of my control here.”
I lean closer. That one peach schnapps has me feeling unusually bold. Or maybe it’s just plain old arousal. Rowan has that effect on me.
“What do I have to do to demolish your control?”
Up close, with the roof light he switched on, I can see his pupils dilate. He mutters a curse and is out of the car before I can blink. My door opens, and he offers a hand.
He doesn’t say a word as we walk to the building, and that leaves room for the sexual tension to sizzle in the air. My heart gallops, pumping anticipation and a little nervousness through my veins. The prelude to Rowan’s bedroom expertise the other night has my knees quivering. I can’t wait to discover what else he gets up to in bed. Hopefully, I can keep up.
“Are you having second thoughts?”
Startled, my eyes snap to him. He’s watching me with a little frown. I didn’t know he’d been taking in my expression the whole time.
“No. I’m nervous. Wondering if I’ll be on par... with you.” The confession causes heat to spread from my face to my neck.
Rowan gives me probably the hottest appraisal he’s ever given me yet. “You don’t need to worry about that.”
At the door, he sweeps me into his arms and swallows my surprised gasp. Finally, contact. I’ve been waiting for it since my sorry attempt at seduction earlier.
He teases my lips open to plunge inside and take what he wants. The demanding kiss has liquid pooling in my underwear and my knees going weak. If he didn’t have me secured with one arm, I would have slid to the floor in a boneless puddle.
When he releases me, I pout my disappointment. Kissing Rowan is highly addictive. “The door,” he says, huskily.
Right. We’re still standing in the hallway. All my wits seem to jump ship when he touches me. I dig into my purse, find the key, and fumble with the simple task of opening the door. My hand is so shaky. A steadier one lands on mine. My hand slips away, and he finishes the job with a small smile.
Once inside the apartment, my courage slips away. I’m not sure what to do next. Luckily, I don’t have to worry about that much longer because Rowan is the expert at taking charge. He takes my hand and leads me to the bedroom.
Before he can stop and ask me if I’m sure I want to do this—I feel it coming—my arms circle his shoulders and I tip on my toes to press my mouth to his. He grunts his pleasure and drinks me in while his fingers slide under my shirt. When he breaks the kiss, he pulls my top over my head in a smooth motion and reaches for the buttons on my jeans.
I follow his lead and lift his shirt. He’s much taller, so I only get it up to his chest before he has to take over and whip it off.
When he strips me down to my panties, he spins me around so my back is pressed to his hard chest and abdomen. “After tonight, this,” his fingers traipse over my mound, making me shiver, “will belong to me. Always.”
I read between the lines. Even if I have other lovers after this, he’ll always be the first. I’m turned on by his show of possessiveness.
“Yes,” I whisper.
Rowan inhales and I can almost hear the pleasure in the soft sound. He slides my panties off and orders, “On the bed.”
I do as he says. He isn’t as rough as the last time and, admittedly, I’m a little disappointed. I want to tell him he doesn’t have to hold back because it’s my first time, but I hold my tongue. On second thought, maybe it’s best if he goes easy tonight. After this, I want him to show and give me everything he gave me a glimpse of.
“Open up for me, Grace.”