It's soft.
Intimate.
Loving.
When her lips brush mine again, I know. This is how it always goes. No matter how hard I try, I make a misstep somewhere, and I convince a woman to fall in love with me.
Only, I don't feel that dread I usually do.
My thoughts don't immediately jump to the best way to let her down gently.
Lacey may not love me yet, but it's going that way.
And I want that.
I want her.
Even if it's terrifying.
I can't whisper sweet nothings in her ear. I can't even make sense of the thoughts swirling around my head.
My tongue dances with hers. One hand goes to her hips. The other goes to her breast and plays with her nipple.
She groans back into my mouth.
She bucks her hips against mine.
I drag my fingertips over her stomach and below her belly button.
The pad of my thumb brushes against her clit.
She nips at my lip.
This feels right. I'm in charge of her pleasure. That's something. Some tiny way the world can make sense.
I stroke her as I kiss her. I should draw it out. I should torture her. But I need her groans against my skin.
I need to hear her come.
I make my touch harder. Faster.
Lacey's nails dig into my skin. She breaks from our kiss to stare back at me. Her brown eyes are wrecked with need.
And with affection.
"Fuck, Mal." Her eyelids flutter closed. Her legs shake as she rocks her hips.
I pin her to the wall to keep her upright. "I've got you, baby." I drag my lips over her neck and I stoke her until she's shaking.
Until she's groaning my name loud enough the neighbors are pounding against the wall.
Until she's raking her nails over my back as she comes on my hand.
She lets out a heavy breath. Takes a slow inhale. Her fingers trail their way up my back and neck. They dig at my hair.
Her lips hover over my ear. "Mal… I…"
I'm not ready for anything but Mal, I need you inside me. I bring my hands to her hips. "Turn around."