I should stop this.
I shouldn’t be so awfully selfish.
My voice was ash as I murmured, “You broke up with him…because of me.”
She bit her lip as I moved closer.
“You broke another guy’s heart all because I keep breaking yours.”
She gasped as I threaded fingers in her hair, cupping the back of her neck.
“Stop putting me first, Hope. I don’t deserve it.” Pulling her into me, I kissed her deeply.
Her mouth opened. She let me control her, challenge her, then her tongue tentatively touched mine.
I licked her.
A tiny moan fell from her, tangled with frustration and anger.
And I was done.
Done with talking.
With hurting.
With denying.
Urgency ripped through my drug-haze, and I clutched her as if I’d fallen overboard into an endless sea of suffocation.
She clutched me back, pressing her body against mine until nothing was between us.
“Jake—”
“Quiet.” I nipped her bottom lip. “No more talking. I’m done with talking.” Walking backward, I dragged her with me until the back of my knees hit the bed.
“But—”
“Stop.” I silenced her argument with a vicious kiss. I kissed her so damn hard our teeth clacked, our breaths knotted, and we clawed to get closer.
She cried out as I plunged my tongue deeper. My head swam as I dared cup her breast, squeezing her, loving the way my large hand enveloped her delicate flesh.
“Ah, God…” Her body went loose, giving up all control.
I took full advantage.
Ducking, I gathered the damp material of her dress, pulling it over her hips. “Take it off.”
Her eyes flashed as she tried to pull away, but I didn’t give her space. Pushing the fabric up, I gave her a single second to pull it over her head before my lips sought hers again.
The second the dress tumbled to the floor, my hand found her breast, grazing soft lace hiding softer flesh. “Now this.”
Her lips twitched under mine. “You do it.”
I kissed her, running my free hand to find the bra clasp, fumbling a little. I wasn’t exactly savvy on getting women naked.
Fear returned, hissing with lack and limitation. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know how to satisfy her.
She had experience.
What if she laughed at my beginner attempts? What if she meant it when she said this was a terrible mistake?
Chasing such thoughts from my mind, I kissed her harder, making her squirm in my arms as I finally figured out the catch and the lace popped free. She wriggled, allowing the straps to cascade from her shoulders and the lingerie to fall to the floor.
I tore away, studying her pearly perfection for the first time. My breath came short and ragged as I imprinted the shadows and fullness that I’d dreamed of. The feminine muscles, the contour of her waist, the slenderness hiding such strength.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
She blushed before tipping her chin. “Your turn.” Her hands gathered my T-shirt, and with a quick glare and heavy shot of lust, I raised my arms obediently.
My T-shirt sailed down to land with her dress and bra.
“You’re beautiful too.” She traced my scars and imperfections, her breath turning just as papery as mine. “I’ve always thought so.”
She leaned in and placed a kiss right over my heart. “The amount of times I watched you at Cherry River is embarrassing.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. I watched you too.”
“Don’t talk,” she murmured, her hand dipping lower, travelling over muscles I’d honed with a life of labour. “Don’t think about anything but this, just in case you run again.” She teased me, stroking me when I wanted something harder.
Something more.
I reached out and captured her tight nipple. “I’m not running anywhere.” The second my thumb circled her, she broke out in goosebumps. “You like that?”
She nodded with hooded eyes. “Um-hum.”
I pinched her gently. “And that?”
Her eyelids fluttered lower. “Yes.”
“And this?” I squeezed harder, bowing my head and taking her small nipple into my mouth.
Her back bowed as I caught her, pressing her breasts against my face. I didn’t need an answer to know she liked this better.
I knew her.
I knew violence ran in Hope as it ran in me.
My teeth teased her skin, nipping my way to the other side. Finding her other nipple, I sucked it hard.
She jerked. “Jacob….” Her fingers turned to talons, dragging over my shoulders.
I loved seeing her come undone.
I loved the slices of sharpness as her desperation etched into my skin.
While my tongue stayed busy, my hands skated down her waist, fingers hooking into her underwear. “I want these off.”
She teetered as I nipped at her nipple again, sucking deep. Rising up, I captured her mouth as I pushed the lacy material away from her hips.
She shook her head. “Wait…um, shouldn’t we slow—”
“Can’t.” With a quick push, I said goodbye to the final piece of clothing hiding her from me. I couldn’t breathe as she stepped from the puddle of lace, bare and beautiful.