Breathe You In (Sweet Torment 1)

There was something so vulnerable in his eyes, it made my ribs suddenly feel like they were crushing my lungs. He was asking me. Considering my feelings, my comfort…my interests.

There was so much power behind Roman Reese but there he was, on his knees, asking.

“No. I’m here because I want to be.” And right then, in that moment, was exactly where I wanted to stay.

His gaze didn’t leave mine. But he didn’t move. Didn’t push for more, as if waiting to make sure I was certain. His hard torso pressed against my knees as he once again overwhelmed my space—and it felt good. So good that I was already drowning in him.

It had been so long since I’d been with a man, and I’d never noticed how badly my body was crying out until I’d met Roman. There was a draw, a need to feel him, because I knew whatever he delivered would be mind-shattering in its intensity.

He had the power, but I had control over myself. Sort of. Unfortunately, I was losing what little restraint I had left.

My chest rose and fell with easy breaths, like it knew I was surrendering to the man before me. The one with the dark eyes, eyes that held the same wicked promise I’d seen the night I’d met him at the gala. The same man who’d flashed a look of vulnerability and rawness that I was desperate to see again.

“I want to know something true,” I whispered. “About you.”

“Why?”

“Can’t a girl want to have a conversation with someone who interests her?” Throwing his words from that first night back at him felt kind of good. But the truth was, I did want to know him. Something. Anything. While this arrangement was new, he had never once revealed a single detail about himself.

“You want truth?”

I nodded.

“I am partial to the color blue,” he grated, glancing down at my skirt.

Refusing to let go of his stare, my knees parted just a little. His hands slid from my neck down to the swell of my breasts, his thumbs barely skimming my nipples before continuing lower to span my waist.

“I’m competitive.” His fingertip ran along the waistband of my skirt. “I love a good challenge.”

My knees spread farther, allowing him access between them, which he took. Grabbing my ass, he pulled me against him. I gasped as my core pressed against his lower torso, his erection prodding me.

“You told me that you felt small in the world. I’ve never had that problem.” He shifted his hips, rubbing the steel rod against my most sensitive area. “But sometimes, I wish I did. Wish I could just get lost.”

His mouth seized mine. Plunging his tongue inside, he drank me in, consuming everything in one kiss. Holding me tightly, he ground his hips against mine again, sending sparks from my center to every limb.

I wrapped my legs around him, locking my heels, and hugged him closer. I just wanted to feel him. To have him stay here this time, with me, instead of being interrupted and walking away.

He worked my mouth like he owned it. Like every part of me was open to his exploration. There was nothing slow or sweet about his kiss. It was commanding and dominant. Rough and consuming. I let him do it: taste me however he wanted.

“I’ve thought of you, Amy,” he growled, then delved his tongue between my lips again. “Every damn day since I met you.”

He gently bit my chin, then moved along my jaw to my pulse point. When he ran his tongue along the shell of my ear, a violent shiver raced over my skin.

“I’ve thought of what you’d feel like…taste like…everywhere.”

My whole body was bursting into flames, and all I wanted was more. To be the center of his attention. To latch on to his need and let it take me as far as it could. Because for the first time, getting lost didn’t seem so bad.

“I’ve thought of you too,” I groaned, my head falling back as he licked and sucked his way from my earlobe to my neck.

“Tell me,” he growled against my skin. “Tell me what you thought of.”

I buried my fingers in his hair as he moved lower, kissing my collarbone. He snaked one hand up and started unbuttoning my shirt.

“I thought about the way you treated me,” I admitted. “How you kissed me. How you change.”

“Change?” His fingers traveled lower, popping the last button free. He pushed the fabric open.

“There are different sides to you. You’re a tough man to keep up with.”