Page 78 of Fire

He leans forward and places a tender kiss on my collarbone, then the curve of my neck, and moves to the shell of my ear before he whispers, “With my tongue?”

Goose bumps dance across my skin. “No.”

He nudges my shoulder and rolls me onto my back. I feel the delicious weight of his body on mine as he plants a hand on either side of my head to hold himself up. His cock is so close to where I want it to be that I could practically feel my pussy contracting, like it’s begging to be filled.

He must notice the proximity as well, because his eyes flutter shut for a brief moment, and when they open again, they’re practically molten.

“What about your naughty little vibrator? Want me to fuck you with that again?”

“No.” I swallow, remembering the way we both fell apart in the bath last night. Knowing I made him come from just watching me was empowering. “I want you inside me, Hen. I want you to fuck me.”

“Fuck.” His voice is so low, husky. “Say it again.”

“I want you to fuck me.”

“Say my name, Zara. Who do you want to fuck you?” He reaches between us and palms his cock. He gives it a few light pumps. I think I actually lick my lips in anticipation because he lets out a groan, followed by a curse.

“You, Hendrix. I want you to fuck me. Only you.”

That must be the winning combination because his mouth is suddenly on mine, and he’s hauling me onto his lap. My legs instantly wrap around his waist, and just as he’s lifting me up and all of me is about to be reunited with all of him, he freezes.

“Shit. Condom.” He puts me back down and runs a hand down his face. “I can’t believe I almost forgot. I know that sounds cliché as hell, but I never do. I have some in my room. I can throw on some clothes and?—”

“I have an IUD,” I tell him with a tentative shrug. “And I haven’t had sex in almost—” I try to think back to the last time Tanner and I were intimate. “A year, maybe? Well, except, you know. And I was tested during our six-month separation, just in case he…” I take a deep breath, unable to voice the words. I had my suspicions at the end, but I was never able to find any proof.

His eyes widen ever so slightly, but he doesn’t comment on it, except to say. “I was tested right before we left for the tour. All of us were. I’m clean. But I don’t want to do anything you’re not comfortable with. I can easily run to my room, or?—”

I smile. “You’re forgetting you’re in bed with the on-site doctor. I happen to have a medical bag just over there.” I point to the giant duffle I carry with me everywhere. “That is stuffed with supplies, including emergency condoms.”

“I’m surprised you still have some after Darius learned about your stash.”

I snort. “I cannot confirm or deny whether he’s asked for any. Patient-client confidentiality and all. Sorry.”

“All right. Well, you keep your secrets, then.”

“At least I can,” I tease.

“That’s a low blow, Cupid.” He chuckles as he tries to get off the bed, but I grab his hand to stop him.

“I’m okay,” I tell him. “Without, I mean.”

His brow furrows as he searches my face for any sign of doubt. “Are you sure?”

I nod, reaching for him. His arms instantly wrap around mine. “I trust you, and it’s not like before when we weren’t planning on ever seeing each other again. This time we’re sticking together. Just the two of us.”

“Just try to get rid of me, Zara. I dare you.”

I give a shy smile. “So…we’re good?”

He flashes a wicked grin, fisting my hair as he pulls me close. “Yeah, we’re so fucking good.”

His mouth presses against mine, and when he kisses me, I feel like I finally understand what it means to be kissed breathless. I remember my roommate in college coming back from a date once and describing the way her date kissed as being an out-of-body experience.

I couldn’t relate.

Back then, kissing had just been…kissing.

But Hendrix could definitely make the heavens sing and the earth shake with the way his mouth moves against mine. It is fucking divine.