Page 49

The downside is my thigh.

I hate that it’s even a thought. If I could be at ease with my shameful behavior, that would be nice. But I’m not that well-adjusted.

The scars are clearly visible, just waiting for someone to ask questions. I don’t want that distraction tonight of all nights. It’s seduction time, not heart-to-heart conversations that I don’t want to have any time soon.

I find a pair of thigh highs and call it good. The thick lace covers enough and looks good on me. Problem solved.

No underwear or bra, and I’m ready to get this job done.

Now I just have to wait.

When his knock comes, I’m out of the kitchen chair at a run and skidding to a halt. Thankfully, I stop before I hit the door and embarrass myself.

I open the door with way too much excitement, see it really is him in a brief glance, and pounce on him. The confetti bottle is forgotten as if it never existed.

I grab his shirt in both hands to pull him into a kiss. His surprise turns to intensity in an instant. His lips cling to mine, just as desperate as I am. With a quick move of his tongue, he enters my mouth, making me moan in relief.

He drops his bag to wrap an arm around me. When he starts moving forward, I step back without releasing my grip on his silky shirt.

“The door,” he says raggedly, and drops the plushy to use both arms to hold me. His hands slide across my back and grip the dress in two fists.

“I don’t want anyone seeing you like this. It’s for me.”

“Don’t care,” I moan and kiss him again.

He groans deep in his chest as I wrap my arms around his neck. I lift one leg to wrap around his, trying to get as close to him as I can. We stumble into the table, making me wince as my butt connects with wood.

“Hold that thought,” he gasps and hurries back to the door. He yanks the bag and plush over the threshold to slam the door shut. I’ve already whipped my dress off when he turns back to me.

“Jesus, Addie,” his eyes go wide as he takes me in with his intense stare.

“Hurry up! I’m done with the torture,” I demand with a scowl. He’s already seen everything, and I’m too horny to be embarrassed right now.

He stares for a brief second in shock and then starts stripping. I hop onto the table and spread my thighs in welcome. The sight of it makes him groan as if he’s in pain while he struggles with his zipper.

“Foreplay,” he pants, finally getting the zipper undone to reveal his boxer-clad erection. He’s so hard that the tip is peeking over the waistband.

“We’ve had that for days. Get over here,” I beg him.

“Condom,” he grits through his clenched teeth and yanks open his bag, pulling out a plastic bag that holds a box of condoms and the receipt. He rips the box open, spilling them across the floor, picks one up at random, and stands to stare again.

There’s a flush on his cheeks as his eyes wander over me, trying to take in every bit of me he can. When he’s finally naked in front of me, in the flesh, I reach for him.

He’s against me in a split second, his lips devouring mine, the condom tossed onto the table. My hands wander over his back and around to his chest and abs. He holds my butt in one hand and grips a breast in one rough move. He pinches my nipple until it’s standing tall and leans down to take it in his mouth.

The heated warmth is heady. My head falls back, and my fingers sift through his hair, holding him against me. He switches sides to give attention there, then drags his tongue along my breastbone. A gentle kiss gets placed on the blue rose.

“Better than I imagined,” he whispers shakily.

I reach for his erection, stroking him slowly as he shudders.

“Siren. Slow down,” he chokes out.

I tighten my grip so he’ll speed up. I’ve wanted him inside me for days. There’s no slowing down for me.

He grabs my wrist to stop me as I rain kisses all over every part of him I can reach.

“Please, Poe. I’ve missed you too much to back off now. I want everything,” I protest in frustration. “I wantyou. All of you.”