Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"No, stay." I peel my towel off and toss it aside. "I want you here." I take his hand and place it on my stomach.

A soft groan escapes his lips. He pulls me closer. He shifts his hips to press his crotch against my ass.

I grind against him until I feel him hardening.

He's hesitant. Hard to blame him. This really isn't the time. He should be holding me, stroking my hair, and whispering that it's going to be okay.

My eyelids press together. I want Ethan holding me, stroking my hair, and whispering that it's going to be okay. I want him whispering I love you, Violet. I want him making plans with me. I want us making plans together. I want us to be a team again.

I can't have that.

But I can have this.

He slides his arms around my shoulders to turn me around. He stares into my eyes, picking apart my intentions. Is it obvious that I'm running from my feelings again?

It must be.

He runs his fingers over my cheek and jaw. "Vi…" He presses his forehead against mine.

"Please." I run my fingers through his hair. "I need you."

His stare is a challenge. Do you need me or do you need me to fuck you?

I wish I only needed sex. I wish I only wanted his body.

I'd never lie to Ethan. Never. Every word of this is the truth. "I need you, Ethan. I need you like I need oxygen."

"Vi…" He plants a soft, sweet kiss on my lips.

Damn, he tastes good. He's mercilessly slow about sliding his tongue into my mouth. He's still hesitant.

I do need him like I need oxygen.

All of him.

Dammit, this whole have sex with Ethan in the hopes of forgetting I'm falling in love with Ethan thing isn't working. It's a stupid plan, now that I think about it. It sounded better in my head.

It's still sounding really fucking appealing.

His hand goes to my leg and hooks it around his. Thoughts of a plan slip away. All my intentions of pulling back to protect my heart fall away.

When our kiss breaks, I press my forehead to his. I mean to say something dirty and demanding. Make me come on your face, baby. But those words won't get anywhere n

ear my lips.

My gaze meets Ethan's. "You make me feel alive. Not just my body. Every part of me feels alive around you. Like it's okay to feel good." So I'm terrible at dirty talk. I'll work on it. From the softness in his eyes and the hardness between his legs, I think it's working. "Make me feel good."

"Vi…"

"Don't make me beg."

The look in his eyes screams I want you to beg.

God, when he looks at me like that, I want to beg.

We're both naked. There isn't much I can do in terms of stripping seductively.

I hold Ethan's gaze as I slide my hand down his torso. My fingers brush that soft tuft of pubic hair. Then they're on his cock.