Trouble (Dogwood Lane 3)

The years since we were here last, on top of all the kisses and almost-kisses of the last few days, add up to this moment. His lips devour me—my mouth, my tongue, my jawline. It’s like he can’t get enough.

I can’t get enough.

I moan as he kisses the side of my neck, his fingers finding the edge of my shirt. He lifts it up and over my head, tossing it somewhere near the oak tree. I feel the clasp of my bra release. He steps back far enough to remove it.

The air kisses my nipples right before he does. He licks one, then the other before swirling it with his tongue. He palms the other, taking the pebble in between his fingers and sending shocks of desire through my body. I press him against me by the back of his head.

He nibbles and kisses a path back to my lips and presses a final kiss to my cheek. “You are so fucking beautiful. Do you know that?”

I stand in front of him, shirtless, my imperfections bare for him to see. All he has to say is that I’m beautiful?

I’ve never been called beautiful by anyone. My knees go weak as he watches me like I’m a piece of artwork he’s always wanted to see.

“I’m the luckiest fucker alive,” he says quietly.

Emboldened by his reaction, I remove my shorts. Facing away from him so he can see the black thong parting my ass cheeks, I hook my fingers at the waist.

“Damn, Ave.”

His tone is rocky. How much he wants me is evident in the words, and I wonder how hard he is right now.

I gulp.

Dragging the thin piece of fabric over my hips, I don’t give the first thought to the bow of my legs or the cellulite on my ass. It would be impossible to consider anything negative when Penn Etling is looking at you like you’re the best thing he’s ever seen.

My heart pounding in my chest, I step out of my panties. I hold them up by one finger as I turn around.

His eyes are wide as he watches me with rapt attention. His shirt is gone now. The sight of his body is enough to make me forget what I was doing.

Defined abs that aren’t cut too hard rock his center. Sex lines, where his obliques meet his lower abs, point to a bulge in his pants. His shoulders are thick and solid, and I want to run my fingers along them and feel his strength.

In one quick move I don’t see coming, he grabs ahold of me.

His lips find mine again, his mouth hot and hungry. As his tongue works me over, I unbutton his pants and shove them down. He breaks the kiss just long enough to get them off and out of the way.

“How,” he says, kissing me. “Do.” He kisses my throat. “You.” His tongue traces a line to beneath my ear, where he plants another kiss. “Want this,” he whispers before nibbling my earlobe.

I squeal as his teeth get the lobe a little too hard. His laugh against my throat reverberates through my body. The chords assimilate in my groin, making me even wetter.

He picks me up. I wrap my legs around his waist as he kisses me again. This time, there’s no rush as he lazily moves his mouth over mine.

My fingers run through his hair, my breasts pressed against his chest as he carries me toward the path. He kicks at something before he drops to his knees.

The kiss is broken as he lays me on my back on my clothes. I peer up at him as he kneels between my legs.

“Stay put,” he says.

I nod.

Without breaking eye contact, he gets to his feet and slips his boxer briefs off.

I gasp.

Holy fucking shit.

I wouldn’t have staked my life on the fact that I could give you an exact measurement of eight inches. But he’s close enough.

He grins as he searches through his pants pockets, then pulls a condom from his wallet.

“You are the slowest man at this ever,” I complain.

“I’m not sorry. I have the best view of any man ever.”

“You could’ve been more prepared.”

He snorts. “Yeah, like you were a given or something. You’re lucky I have a condom at all.”

I watch him roll the protection down his shaft as he walks to me. He drops to his knees again and grips my hips with both hands. The spots where his fingers press into my skin burn.

He gives me a smile so soft it’s almost shy. It pings something deep inside my heart.

Bending down, he places a kiss on my chest. I close my eyes as I absorb the moment. It catches me off guard because tenderness isn’t what I expected.

But damn it if it doesn’t feel perfect.

My hips are lifted. The head of his dick spreads me open. His eyes snatch mine out of the air.