If he let her get hurt, he’d never forgive himself.
After removing his clothing, he tossed it to one side and turned on the shower. He waited for the water to run and stepped beneath it. It wasn’t a great shower, but it wasn’t like he had the option to be choosy. For now, they were at the mercy of whatever this house had to offer and for however long it was safe. Tomorrow, he’d have to go with Jade around the perimeter, to work out an escape route, set up points, and then run it through with both girls.
He didn’t linger too long in the shower, taking enough time to get the day’s dirt off his body. One of the towels he’d purchased was on the counter. He lifted it, wrapped it around his waist, and went back into the bedroom.
Tulip had laid out the blankets and a couple of pillows on the bed.
He and Jade had been through their lists of the barest essentials they needed when they were moving around.
Tulip stood up.
The shirt she wore grazed the tops of her thighs, and he didn’t want to wait to hold her. It’d already been too long since having her in his arms.
He closed the distance between them, cupped her cheek, and ran his thumb across her bottom lip.
“Landon,” she said.
“You don’t have to be nervous. I won’t hurt you. Not ever.”
“This is all new for me, and I don’t know what you want from me,” she said.
He tilted her head back. Holding her hip, he smiled down into her face. “Simple. I want everything.”
“What’s everything?”
He stroked across her stomach, going between her thighs to her pussy. She gasped and tensed up, but she didn’t push him away.
“All of you. You belong to me, become mine. I want your body, your heart.” He took possession of her mouth, sliding his tongue across her lip. She opened up and he plundered inside, tasting her. Breaking from the kiss, he trailed his lips down to her neck. “When it comes to you, Tulip, I want to give you the world.”
“I’m second best.”
“You’ll never be second best.” He let go of her cheek, sliding his hands down to her ass. Gripping one cheek, he pulled her in against him. “You feel that? You feel what you do to me? How hard I am for you?”
“You could be hard for anyone,” she said.
“No, I would only ever be hard for you. From now on, Tulip, you own me, just as I own you.”
“This is crazy. You think it’s because your body is telling you this.”
“I know what I want. I know what I feel.”
“I don’t trust it.”
“Then let me show you.”
“I’ve never done this before,” she said. “I’ve never been with a guy.”
“You lived on the streets.”
“I know, but I’ve never … not with a boyfriend. Not with anyone. I avoided it. I found every chance I could to get out of harm’s way.”
“You’re a virgin?”
“Yes.”
He saw tears shimmering in her eyes. “Why are you crying?”
“You’re laughing at me.”