Page 16 of Claiming Ours (Anchor Bay #2)

LIAM

T he soft brush of her fingertips caressing along my jaw and throat sent heat surging through my veins.

My lids fluttered closed as I inhaled deeply, hoping it would help strengthen my fraying restraint.

After her dirty revelations and analogies of wanting to lick me like a piece of candy, I was left with the worst case of blue balls.

Which meant I was keyed the fuck up, and her simple yet intimate-as-hell touch pushed me toward my breaking point.

If she wasn’t careful, Baylee would find those wrinkled scrub pants ripped off, her chest sealed to the counter, and my dick buried balls-deep in her virgin cunt.

Fuck.

I swallowed down the desperate groan that thought alone had rumbling in my chest.

I never gave a shit about a woman’s sexual past—fuck knew I didn’t want anyone judging me because of mine—but knowing her tight little pussy had never been stretched wide with a cock, that it was no doubt soft and snug, almost had me coming in my damn jeans.

Fingers gripping the counter until every knuckle went white in an effort to keep from grabbing Baylee and playing out all the dirty fantasies I’d imagined over the last few weeks, I leaned into her touch, savoring the scrape of her short nails through my rough facial hair.

“What are you doing, Little Bit?” I somehow got out around gritted teeth.

A mischievous gleam flashed in her big blue eyes, making my cock twitch uncomfortably. A single finger changed course to trace along my lower lip in soft strokes. Back and forth with her gaze locked with mine, that tempting motion unraveled me faster than I could fight back the temptation.

Unable to stop, I dipped my chin so that a single digit slipped between my parted lips, then nipped at the tip before licking away the slight bite.

Her soft gasp only spurred me on.

Gripping her delicate wrist in a firm but tender hold, I guided her finger free. “What do you want, Baylee?” I asked while directing that slick digit to her own mouth and pushing it inside to the second knuckle.

Seeing her lips wrap around her finger, cheeks hollowing as she sucked, I fucking snapped.

Releasing my hold, I gripped her narrow waist and hauled her up onto the counter, pushing her knees wide so I could step between them.

Palms to her soft cheek, I cupped her face, angling it higher until glassy blue eyes met mine.

“I’m a strong man, Baylee, but even I have a limit to my restraint.

I refuse to hurt you by pushing you too fast, further than you’re comfortable. ”

I sealed my lips to hers, sucking on the soft, plump flesh and taking a quick nip before pulling back and standing tall. “I don’t trust myself with you right now, so I’m going to go before I do, fuck, all the erotic fantasies I’ve fucked my hand to lately that you’re not ready for.”

Forcing myself to turn, I ripped off the apron, tossing it onto the island, and took one reluctant stride away from the ultimate temptation—only to pause at the feel of a tiny hand gripping my forearm.

I squeezed my lids shut, nostrils flaring with a deep inhale, before I looked over my shoulder at the little temptress who had no idea what demanding beast she was teasing to the surface.

“Don’t go,” she murmured, a slight plea in her tone. “I don’t want you to leave just yet.”

Blowing out a controlled breath through pursed lips, I gave in to her request despite my better judgment. Her small hand slid to my wrist when I turned to face her, this time keeping some distance between us for my sanity.

I wouldn’t hurt Baylee—hell, I wouldn’t hurt any woman—but I was afraid the need pumping through my veins would make me hear meaning in her words that maybe wasn’t there.

That was the last thing I wanted, to think she wanted me to fuck her against the counter when she only wanted company, not her pussy stretched around my thick cock… .

Fuck.

Face tipped to the ceiling, I forced those thoughts to the back of my mind to deal with later when I was alone in the shower.

“Little Bit.” Her pet name was more of a pained hiss than words. “If you don’t want this to go any further than me hanging out so you’re not alone, then?—”

“What if I don’t?” she said, cutting me off.

Pressing her small feet to the floor, she moved forward until she stood right in front of me, looking up with those innocent blue eyes.

I swallowed a groan as my cock hardened to the point of actual pain.

“What if I want it to be more than just hanging out?”

Two cold palms pressed to my bare stomach, exposed by the unbuttoned shirt I’d tossed on earlier. My abs flexed at the gentle caress, breath hitching as she slid her hands higher, exploring my chest all while never looking away from my heated stare.

“You need to be specific on what ‘more’ means to you, Baylee.” I swallowed hard. “ Very specific.”

“I don’t know how to be brave, to talk about this without alcohol,” she admitted, blush staining her fair cheeks. The tip of her tongue swiped along her lower lip. “Be patient with me, okay?”

I nodded. “Are you wanting me to take the lead? Because I’ll be honest, I will take until you tell me to stop. I want it all, sweetheart. All you’re willing to give me.”

Her lips parted as her breathing grew erratic. Instead of responding, she let her hands drop, making me hold back a pathetic pout, and turned to tiptoe toward her room. I followed the sway of her ass the entire way, only looking up when she stopped at the doorframe.

My muscles bunched with the need to close the distance between us, to rip off her clothes and take and take and take.

To taste every inch of her amazing body, imprint the feel of my cock buried so deep inside her cunt that she’d always feel fucking stuffed full even when I wasn’t there, making her scream my name.

“Liam.” I jerked out of the fantasy, finding her smiling at me with a knowing look, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. “Are you coming?”

Fucking hopefully.

“Where?” That was the safer and smarter response.

With a smirk, she disappeared into her room, crooking a single finger over her shoulder for me to follow. Which I immediately did like a trained dog following its owner’s command.

Paused at the entrance to her bathroom, she spun to face where I stood, hands gripping the doorframe above my head. I needed that grounding, feeling the wood creaking beneath my hold, until I knew exactly what she wanted from me.

“I need to get ready for work, and I’m pretty sure you didn’t shower last night since you were babysitting me.”

More like watching her sleep like a fucking crazy person, imagining sleeping beside her, curled up against her, feeling her soft body molded against my hard muscles.

I missed that the most about marriage.

The comfort of holding the one you loved in your arms all night, protecting them and keeping them safe.

There was a peace that came with feeling them beside you, breathing deeply in sleep, knowing they were okay.

A good fuck was easy to come by, but that, the intimacy that came with holding someone, only came with a genuine connection.

“So, what do you say?” she asked. The hesitancy in her tone snapped my gaze from her unmade bed to where she stood, fingers twisting nervously in front of her stomach.

“To what?” I hedged, not wanting to put words in her mouth. “I need you to be very clear about what you’re wanting, sweetheart.”

Baylee’s head tipped toward the bathroom behind her. “Showering.” I followed the movement as her throat worked with a hard swallow. “With me.”

Every muscle bunched, and my lungs froze. “Showering with you,” I clarified. “To….”

Get clean?

Get dirty?

Break me into a weeping baby at seeing her perfect naked body and not being able to worship it the way I desperately wanted?

Fucking hell, I was pathetic.

“Well, I was hoping to repay you for being so sweet last night and?—”

I dropped a hand from the doorframe and swiped it through the air, cutting her off right the fuck there.

“If I ever,” I growled, my bubbling anger burning through the earlier desire, “hear you say you need to repay me for making sure you were safe or taking care of you, I will spank your fine ass so fucking hard you won’t remember what it’s like to sit without those sweet cheeks stinging. ”

A flush spread along her throat and crept over her cheeks.

“Oh, yeah, okay. But that was easier to say out loud than actually admitting what I want,” she said, shifting her gaze to the side like she was embarrassed.

In three quick strides, I was in front of her, cupping her face in one hand with enough pressure to make her look up at me.

“You’re an amazing woman, Baylee. Smart, beautiful, kind, and so fucking strong to survive what you have and still find the strength to smile every damn day.

Tell me what you want. Be brave for me, and I’ll give it to you.

I can guarantee you there isn’t anything you’ll ask of me that I won’t do or find a way to. ”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “Okay.”

“Eyes on me, sweetheart. No hiding from this, from me.”

Both lids popped open as she exhaled. “I want you in the shower with me.”

“That’s my girl. Now tell me?—”

“With me on my knees.” Oh fuck. I almost swallowed my tongue. “And your fingers in my hair.” Damnit, I was seconds from coming in my jeans like a teenager. “Your dick in my mouth?—”

I couldn’t take another dirty word from her sweet lips.

Bending forward, I captured her mouth with mine, thrusting my tongue inside as I urged her backward until her spine pressed against the glass shower door.

Her hands snuck between us, fingers fisting the sides of my shirt as I yanked at my belt, the clink of the metal echoing around the bathroom.

“Are you sure?” I asked, lips moving against hers, unable to fully pull away.

“Yes,” she rasped.