CHAPTER TEN
1982 -OREGON
This wasn’t a kiss.
Cassie had been kissed before. She’d even been kissed well. This was an entirely different experience.
Viper owned her mouth. In the long minutes he spent sliding his tongue against hers, nipping at her lips, and controlling the pace, she lost awareness of anything but the man making her crave more, more, more. His taste flooded her system, hot, spicy, and ten times more delicious than her favorite candy.
This wasn’t the first time Cassie had been aroused, not by a long shot. As she’d told him, she’d read her fair share of steamy books. She owned a vibrator. One that got a pretty regular workout, especially after she would read about some woman screaming the paint off the walls while a hot as hell man buried his face between her legs. She’d had boyfriends make her come as well. Just fingers, and once a mouth, but she wasn’t a simpering virgin.
She was just a virgin.
Cassie had experience with desire, want, lust. But, holy crap, never to this extent. Her breasts literally felt heavy and tender. Her nipples were tight points of need. If she’d had more experience, maybe she’d have begged him to touch her, but as it was, she had little idea what she was supposed to do with the man driving her insane.
Between her legs, a dull ache formed, making her aware of how empty she was. And how wet she was becoming. The craving for him crossed over the line into necessity. The need for him rivaled that of air, food, and water. If he abandoned her now, she’d crumble to dust.
“Fuck, you taste sweet,” he muttered against her lips. “Give me more.” He dove back in, tightening his fists in her wet hair as he plundered her mouth again.
Cassie couldn’t help it; she moaned shamelessly into his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck. When her body came flush in contact with his, she arched her chest into him, finding just a tiny bit of the pressure her nipples demanded. She moaned again, so ready for whatever he wanted to give her.
But the needy sound seemed to douse Viper with ice water.
“Shit,” he growled as he tore his mouth away.
She stepped back, eyes wide, scrambling to grab the drooping towel. As hard as he was panting, her lungs were working overtime too. Her head spun and her lips tingled. Arousal coated her sex and eased its way down her thighs.
Being left in this needy state hurt. An ache of unfulfillment deep in her core.
“Jesus, Cassie. For the love of God, cover your tits.” Viper groaned, running a hand down his face.
With a quick glance at her bare breasts, she gasped and yanked the towel back up. Once decent—at least where he could see—she peered up to find him staring at the ceiling.
Her face grew hot as an oven. Had she misread the situation? Was he not as into her as she was him? God, she’d practically thrown herself at him.
How humiliating.
“Baby, I’m not first-time material,” he said, gaze still fixed on the cracked ceiling.
First time material? What did that even mean? Was it a thing? Cassie frowned. “Why not?”
Finally, he gave her the gift of eye contact. “I have no idea how to make it all…” he waved a hand in her direction, “perfect for you. I’m not gentle. Not anymore.”
Her heart melted at the softly spoken words. So, it wasn’t that he didn’t want her. Quite the opposite. He was afraid he couldn’t give her what she needed to make her first time special. She hadn’t realized he could be so sweet.
Yet stupid. Hearts and flowers weren’t at the top of her priority list at the moment. Pleasure was. A few toe-curling moments of distraction. Something to erase the last few days from her mind, at least for a while.
“Do you know how to make me come?” she asked as she tilted her head to the side.
He chuckled, folding his arms across that firm, yet still clothed, chest. “Yeah, babe, that I can do.” He winked. “More than once.”
“Well, then, I think we’re all set, don’t you?” Somewhere, she found the courage to be bold and demand what she wanted. Actually, her words might have come from fear, not bravery. Fear that they’d be discovered, and she’d be sold off to some sicko who’d rape her and make her his toy for the rest of her life. If that were to happen, she’d have at the very least the satisfaction of having chosen for herself this first time.
And her choice was Viper.
Tonight.
She had no doubt it would be absolutely perfect. Even without romance, or declarations of love, because she’d chosen.
Cassie straightened her shoulders, swallowed her nerves, and dropped the towel as she stepped forward.
Go big or go home.
Viper’s eyes bugged, as his gaze immediately fell to her breasts. “Cassie,” he said on a groan. He curled his hands into tight fists at his sides. “You’re playing a dangerous game, babe.”