Page 91 of An Inevitable Marriage

Are you sure?

My answer came fast and easy.

One single nod.

Liam released a slow, steady breath but didn’t touch me yet. I almost groaned. Of course, he didn’t maul me like a beast the moment I gave the okay. No, this man, this I-belong-in-a-romance-novel man, held my gaze for a few long, long seconds, making sure I was one-hundred-percent certain before he made a move of any kind.

Naturally, that move was slow and careful.

With his eyes still firmly locked on mine, he steadily lifted his hand and palmed my breast. That first touch, albeit soft and tentative, sent a massive spark of electricity through every single one of my nerve endings. His thumb brushed over my hardened nipple, and I couldn’t stop a moan from slipping out.

“Oh.”

His touch flicked back and forth, back and forth. Delicious, tingly sparks spread through my body faster than a damn wildfire. This was new. My breasts had never been this sensitive before.

So sensitive I was almost sure I could have an orgasm like this.

More sparks. More tingles. My head fell back, and I sucked in a sharp breath.

“Are you wet for me, Snow?”

Incapable of forming actual words, I made a noise. The sound was needy enough for him to know the answer was a resounding yes.

“Show me.” Liam’s voice was rough and gravelly, almost like he was holding on to his last thread of sanity.

I knew the feeling so, so well.

Yet again, I found myself on the edge of a cliff. Only this time, it was a bit harder to jump than before.

You’re safe with me.

I trusted him. It was my traitorous mind I was having a hard time with.

“Can we…” Unable to meet his gaze, I slid my tongue over my lip. “Would it be okay if we turned off the lights and I kept my shirt on?” My lids immediately fluttered closed. I couldn’t bear to see the impact of my words.

Liam wasn’t having it, though. Tucking his fingers under my chin, he gently stroked my jaw with his thumb. “Will you look at me?”

One, two, four breaths passed before I found the courage to meet his gaze. And, man, what I saw burning in the deep-blue depths of his irises made my freaking knees weak.

“Don’t ever be afraid to voice your needs. If you need darkness, you’ll have it. If you need me to keep my hands to myself, I’ll do it.” He pinned me with a serious stare. “Tonight and every other night,Ifollowyourcommands.”

I’d never imagined he’d be this understanding. This ready to relinquish control. From my experience, most guys needed to be in charge.

Liam Maxwell wasn’t like most guys.

I lifted my chin. Behind my ribs, my heart thundered so wildly I was sure he could hear it. “You really don’t mind?”

Liam shook his head immediately. “It’s about you, Snow. It always is. Having you here, this close to me, has already been way more than I hoped for. I don’t need anything else to be satisfied.”

My mouth parted, but before a single sound could escape, he leaned closer.

“Don’t mistake my words. Iwantto see every fucking beautiful inch of you. Want to worship your body. But only when you’re ready.”

His words slipped under my skin and burrowed their way to my heart, wrapping around that bruised organ like a bandage.

I pushed onto the balls of my feet and touched my mouth to Liam’s. It was supposed to be a quick kiss. A small peck to say thank you for making me feel safe.

I should have known better.