Page 68 of Hard Rock Love

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t want to get in the way of your work.”

Seth put a finger to my lips, silencing me.

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” he said. “All the others are just as bad as me. They’re worse, actually. Cerise and Liam in particular. They’re always sneaking away to make out. Nate texts Becca a hundred times a day just to reassure himself that she’s doing okay. Trust me, the others are much worse. Sometimes I’m the one who needs to whip them into shape. And let me tell you, that is a total role reversal.”

“If you’re sure…” I said doubtfully.

Seth kissed me, shutting me up.

“I wouldn’t give this up for anything,” he said between kisses.

I returned them, eyes fluttering closed.

We hadn’t gone any further than that one time Seth had taken me to bed, but in those few moments we were able to spend together, we’d become champion kissers. I knew Seth was waiting until I felt more comfortable, until I was ready, but with every kiss and touch, I fell for him deeper and deeper. I wondered if I was being too cautious, too hesitant.

Maybe I would never feel one hundred percent ready. Maybe the only thing I could do was leap into it and trust that Seth would be there to catch me.

I put my hands on his shoulders and pulled away from the kiss.

“Seth, I…”

I took a slow, calming breath. He brushed a strand of my hair away from my face, waiting for me to continue.

Instead of speaking, I climbed off his lap and took his hand, tugging him toward my bedroom. I cast a glance back at him. Although my smile was nervous, my cheeks were flushed and my breathing had sped up.

There was a question in Seth’s eyes. I nodded. That brilliant green turned dark and heated, understanding me without words.

He pulled me into his arms as we crossed the threshold of my bedroom and plied me with kisses.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmured into my mouth.

My heart glowed in my chest as I felt lightheaded.

We fell onto the bed together, never breaking our kiss. I let my hands explore his broad, warm back and shoulders. I could feel the shifting of muscles through his t-shirt.

I wanted it off. I didn’t want any barriers between my hands and his skin.

I tugged at the hem. Seth knelt up on his knees, hovering over me long enough to yank his shirt off and toss it to the floor. My mouth nearly salivated at the sight of him. How was it possible for guys to look that hot shirtless and in plain jeans? It did things to my head and my insides.

I placed my hands on his chest, exploring his colorful tattoos with curious fingers and thumbs, drifting to his shoulders and upper arms. I must have hit a sensitive spot because he sucked in a breath and squirmed.

“Are you ticklish?” I asked, delighted to have found a weakness.

“No,” he said stubbornly.

I poke at the spot again and he yelped.

“You are!” I laughed. “I’m going to have fun with this.”

“You wouldn’t torture me like that, would you?”

He gave me a look that I assumed was supposed to be puppy dog eyes, but that heavy-lidded stare was sultry, almost erotic. Seth somehow managed to look both cute and unbearably sexy at the same time.

I brought a hand to his face, cupping his cheek as I stared into his eyes. Seth was a wonder. I had no idea what I’d done to capture the interest of someone like him, but I wasn’t going to let my doubts ruin this for me.

Seth covered my hand with his, gazing back at me. We didn’t do anything. We didn’t say anything. We just stared at each other, chests pressing together with every breath.

His attention dropped to my lips. A yearning hunger flared up in his eyes. He brushed a thumb along my bottom lip, eyes tracking the movement. That slightest of touches was enough to send heat flooding between my thighs.