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“Do you even know what love is? How it’s supposed to feel?” My throat aches with my words. How raw and exposed I am in this moment. “Because I don’t. I’ve never been in love before.”

“Are you confused? Overwhelmed? Scared?”

I nod, locking my knees when he takes a few steps closer. I can smell him now. His delicious spicy cologne wrapping all around me. The warmth of his body radiates, drawing me in and now I’m the one taking a step. Then another. “All of those things. Is that normal? I’m worried it’s not.”

“I don’t know,” he murmurs. “But I feel the same exact way. We can figure this out together as we go. I just know one thing.”

He goes quiet and my body sways toward his. When he grabs hold of me and hauls me into his arms, I breathe a sigh ofrelief, circling my arms around his neck. Clinging to him, waiting to hear what he might say next.

“You were never not mine, Sinclair Miller. You belong to me. You always have. Even when you hated me. You were mine.” He dips his head, his mouth landing on mine in a soft yet passionate kiss. His tongue is everywhere, searching my mouth, and I end it before we take it too far.

Though it doesn’t take much for us to go too far. I can feel his erection press against my stomach and my thighs are trembling.

“I love you too,” I tell him, my voice shaky. “I just needed to hear the words. Any words. I didn’t know how you felt.”

“This wasn’t a big enough indicator?” He waves a hand at the rose-filled room, his gaze locking with mine. “Bringing you to my home so you can meet my family? You couldn’t tell how I felt?”

“I just…” My voice drifts. “I think I need words along with actions. And you’ve always confused me, August. Sometimes you say too much but most of the time, you say nothing at all.”

“I’ll remember that.” He kisses me again like he can’t get enough of me, walking me backward until my calves are bumping against the edge of the mattress. “Now let me show you.”

I press my hand on his chest, my palm resting upon the thundering beat of his heart. “We don’t have time.”

He’s scowling. Oh this man is rarely denied anything he wants and that’s what I just did. “What do you mean, we don’t have time? I can fuck you and make that pretty little cunt come in less than five.”

My body shakes at his words and I mentally tell myself to calm down. “My parents will be here soon.”

“What time?”

“I don’t know but…tonight’s dinner is important.”

“And this moment where we confess our feelings isn’t?” He arches a brow, practically daring me to deny it.

Which I can’t.

“This moment is important too,” I agree, my voice soft. “I’m just—nervous.”

“With me?” He sounds incredulous and I suppose I don’t blame him. We’ve done some crazy stuff. Filthy dirty things that make me blush when I think about those moments for any length of time.

“No, of course not. I’m nervous about tonight’s dinner, and what my parents might say or do. They’re kind of embarrassing.”

“If you’re worried about what they do and how it might reflect on you, please don’t.” His mouth is on mine again, lingering. Lips parted as he breathes me in. “They could show up naked and grunting like savages and I wouldn’t give a shit. I only care about you.”

“What about your parents though? I’m worried what they’ll think of them.” I tilt my head back when he shifts away from my mouth and rains kisses along the edge of my jaw. Down my neck. His lips are damp and warm and when he pauses to lick the spot just behind my ear, I know I’m going to let him do whatever he wants to me.

“They’ll have an opinion about you and they’ll form their own opinions about your parents. You are not one and the same.” His hand slides up my side, lingering at my waist before he shifts higher, cupping my breast. “Stop talking, Sin. You’re making me impatient with all of your protesting.”

Our mouths collide and I melt into him, letting him take over. Doing my best to forget about my worries and just live in this moment. With him. He guides me onto the bed and I land in the center of it, rose petals fluttering all around me with my bounce. Their fragrant scent is everywhere, almostoverwhelming and he removes a petal from his lips before he positions himself above me, his mouth back on mine.

We kiss and kiss for what feels like hours, his hands wandering, settling on my waist, like he wants to keep things chaste between us. Or maybe he doesn’t want to rush it. Is instead savoring me and the thought leaves me warm and gooey inside.

I circle my leg around his hips, hooking and drawing him in and his pelvis presses against mine, his hard dick right where I want it. We have too much clothing on and I’m the one who grows impatient first, which is always his role. I’m tugging on his sweater, grunting in frustration when it doesn’t budge. I move my hands to the front of his jeans, shaky fingers trying to undo the front and he wraps his hand around my wrist, stopping me.

“Why are you in such a rush?”

“I told you we don’t have much time.” I try to tug out of his grip but he won’t let me.

“Your parents aren’t going to be here for hours.” He runs his tongue along my jaw. “Patience, my pretty Sin. No need to rush things.”