She narrowed her gaze in confusion. “Excuse me?”
He allowed a sinful smile to hitch up the corners of his mouth. “I want to kiss you, Evie . . . anytime I want.”
She looked taken aback and a little wary. “Is that how you collect payment from all your clients?”
It was a fair enough question, and he understood her concern. “You’re my first client, sweetheart. The app just started beta testing, remember? So, no, I’ve never traded in a fee for unlimited amounts of kissing.”
Her face flushed, just enough to tell him she was tempted . . . but still skeptical, especially after being duped by her ex. “Why kisses over money?”
Because he didn’t need the goddamn money, and because he was dying to get his mouth on hers. It was that simple. Also, he instinctively knew that one kiss with Evie Bennett wouldn’t even come close to being enough, so that extra anytime I want clause covered the entire weekend.
“Why not kisses over money?” he countered. “Shouldn’t I be able to choose the form of payment? Unless kissing me is not what you want?”
She swallowed hard. “I think I want it too much,” she admitted, her voice a soft, vulnerable whisper between them.
“Then we’re definitely on the same page,” he said, making sure she knew how much he wanted her, as well. “Me wanting to kiss you shouldn’t come as a surprise, Evie. I already told you it was going to happen. This just gives me permission to do so anytime I want. Do we have a deal?”
Her breathing deepened as she considered his offer, but the anticipation in her eyes told him she was one hundred percent on board with the idea. “Yes, we have a deal.”
Satisfied with her answer, he scooted his chair back to make room for her and wasted no time collecting the debt. “Come here, Evie,” he cajoled seductively as he held out his hand to her. “I’d like my down payment now, please.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Evie was certainly surprised that Eric had waived his Boyfriend Experience fee for unlimited kisses, but after his persuasive argument, she’d concluded that it was his prerogative to ask for whatever payment he deemed worth his time. Wanting to kiss her meant he was attracted to her, and the thought made her body hum with pleasure. And truthfully, who was she to complain when she’d already decided during their conversation last night that if the opportunity to kiss Eric presented itself, she wasn’t going to turn him down?
Her stomach was already fluttering with excitement as she stood up and rounded the table to him. She placed her hand in his bigger, warmer one, and he drew her closer. She expected him to position her across his lap . . . but instead he guided her in front of where he was sitting. He looked up at her, meeting her gaze as he let go of her hand. His sexy smile stole her breath as he ran his palms up over the curve of her hips until his fingers gripped her waist.
“Straddle my thighs, Evie,” he said, a gentle but firm order as he deliberately nudged her legs apart with his knees.
With her heart galloping wildly in her chest, she followed his order and settled herself so she was sitting astride his lap, her thighs spread to accommodate his hips and her hands braced on his shoulders. They were face-to-face, and the heat in his eyes started a slow, melting sensation inside her.
He skimmed his palms lower, until they were cupping her ass, his fingers splayed wide. “I want you closer,” he murmured, and effortlessly guided her up the few inches separating them, until her breasts brushed against his chest and she could feel the solid ridge of flesh beneath his slacks notched right up against the inner seam of her jeans. Her clit pulsed shamelessly at the teasing pressure.
The position was so intimate and so damn arousing that she couldn’t hold back the pleasurable gasp that escaped her.
He smirked knowingly. “You good?”
She managed a jerky nod, trying not to grind herself against him like a brazen hussy. “Yeah . . . very good.”
“It’s about to get a whole lot better.” He framed her face in his hands, gently but firmly, while his thumb swept across her damp bottom lip. “I’m going to make you forget all about your idiot ex,” he promised as he brought her slowly, inexorably, toward the temptation that beckoned.
He’d already been doing just that, but she shivered, her nipples puckering hard and tight as he deliberately drew out the anticipation of their first kiss. She stared into the rich depths of his eyes, then let her gaze drop to his full, inviting lips. Their faces were so close she could see the hint of stubble on his jaw, could feel his warm breath caress her cheek. The wanting increasing inside her made her shift restlessly on his lap.