Price of a Kiss (Forbidden Men 1)

I reached out immediately but paused within inches of contact. He must’ve sensed my hesitation because he reopened his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

I swallowed, utterly overwhelmed. “I don’t know where to start.”

Mason’s gaze warmed. He wrapped strong warm fingers around my wrist and drew my palm forward, leading me where he wanted my hand to follow. When he set it on the center of his chest, right over his heart and pressed my flesh flush to his as if fingerprinting my soul to his, I blinked back gratified tears.

“Start here. No one’s ever touched me here before.”

I rubbed a circle on his chest over his heart. It thumped strong and steady under my fingers, so I leaned in and set my lips to the precious spot, sealing the moment with a kiss.

Remembering a certain hickey from the night before, I glanced over without thinking, only to find all traces of Mrs. Garrison completely gone. His unmarked chest gleamed, sculpted and magnificent like a clean slate. And all mine to touch as I wished.

Unable to stop grinning, I glanced up and bit my lip before I took the plunge. “Word,” I said.

His sexy brows lowered with confusion. “What?”

I chuckled. “I thought you told me to just say the word when I was ready. So…word. Or should I say ‘the word’?”

Mason sucked in a sharp breath, looking suddenly uncertain. “Reese—”

He began to sit up, but I nudged him back down. Since my hand was still covering his heart, it didn’t take much effort to apply a little pressure and topple him back onto the mattress.

“It’s okay, Mason,” I assured him. “I love you, and I want to show you how much. I want you to have that recreational fun you’ve never had. I want to pamper and spoil you as no one ever has before.” Or ever will. “And I want to wash away all their rules and restrictions until you feel free to do whatever you like with me.”

His eyes darkened with feeling. Lifting his hand, he cupped my face gently. “God, I don’t deserve you.”

“And yet you have me anyway.” I grinned and moved my touch over him, exploring to my heart’s content, starting at his face with his rough, unshaven jaw and working my way down.

“So, you’re about to give your first freebie, Mr. Lowe, the amazing gigolo.” Teasing, I slid the tip of my nose along the side of his neck. “Would you like to pause and say a little something to mark the occasion?”

His expression crackled with heat as he lay passively under me, watching my every move. “Oh, but this isn’t going to be my first freebie.”

“What?” My stomach dropped into my toes. “But you said—”

“Shh.” He cut me off by setting his finger over my lips before I could sit upright. With a light, reassuring kiss on my forehead, he kissed my cheek next. Then my jaw…Mmm. My neck. “It’s not going to be a freebie at all. I plan to make you pay. Big time.”

“Oh, I’m going to pay, am I?” I pulled back as much as he would allow to arch my eyebrows. But the press of his lips against my collarbone made my entire body shudder with hunger. Sensing I might actually like where this was headed, I licked my lips. “I’m getting the girlfriend discount, right?”

Mason merely shook his head, amusement lacing his chuckle. “Nope. You’re going to owe me more than anyone ever has before.”

“Really? Hmm. What do you plan to charge?”

Stealing my bad habit, he wrinkled his nose. “Just your body. Your heart. And all of your soul.”

I let out a happy sigh and threaded my fingers through his hair. “But I’ve already given you those.”

His grin was slow and devastating. “Well, there’s my first then. A woman who pre-pays.”

I giggled. “In that case, sonny, lie back. I’m not done investigating my purchase.”

He gave me a toothy grin. “Need to check my teeth?”

I lifted one eyebrow. “Not quite the spot I had in mind.”

“My armpit?” When he lifted his arm, I threw my head back and laughed.

“Put your arm down, you dork.” I manually put it down for him, hiding his hairy pits. “Maybe I was talking about your tattoo, huh.”

I traced my fingers over the words Make Me, stunned I was actually touching it, that he was letting me anywhere near it. Goose bumps sprouted on his abdomen as I ran my fingertip along each letter.