Page 49 of Into These Eyes

But that’s not what I’m supposed to be doing. The reason I have her up against the wall in the first place manages to sweep past my need. I’m trying to take care of her, not take advantage of her.

Shit. I need to get a grip.

Which apparently means sliding my hand over her ribs until my thumb brushes the underside of her breast. Her eyes snap back to mine, wide and bright, her pupils almost completely swallowing that vibrant green I know so well. She’s totally alive right now, completely immersed in the moment.

I lock onto the rapid pulse fluttering at the base of her throat, and a powerful urge to cover it with my mouth, to feel that life force flowing through her with the tip of my tongue, takes over.

I lean in closer. Then hesitate. If my lips touch her skin, I’ll lose the control I’m desperately trying to maintain.

Instead, I move my lips as close to the shell of her ear as I dare. “Told you I’d get your heart pounding,” I whisper, remembering the stunt she pulled in the car and my promise to get even.

“Mission accomplished,” she murmurs, every ragged exhale cooling against my ear, sending shockwaves right through my body.

I pull back enough until our eyes lock. She’s smiling, and I grin back, the look on her face confirming I’m not in this alone.

Spurred on, I follow the curve of her underwire with the pad of my thumb, sweeping it slowly up the side of her breast.

A ping sounds from somewhere below my chin.

God-fucking-dammit.

Her smile slips.

Game over.

Almost.

Slowly, I brush my knuckles over her clavicle, lingering a moment before my fingers dip beneath the neckline of her dress and withdraw the phone from her bra.

But I don’t move away. Neither does she.

“What did I tell you about putting electronics near your … breasts?” I ask, handing over her phone.

Her thumb trembles as she unlocks it, then slips it into my waiting hand. “I think you said my delicate bits,” she corrects.

My eyes meet that cheeky look of hers, then drop to the hard nipples pressing against the thin material of her dress. “Maybe I should’ve said sensitive bits.”

Christ, what I wouldn’t give to see them, touch them, draw them into my mouth.

Trying to get a grip, I swipe her phone screen with my thumb, find the Uber app and open it.

“Are you going to work, or court?”

“Work first,” she says, her voice soft and breathy. So fucking sexy.

I select her work address and wait a few moments before I accept a ride, turn off the screen and pass it back to her.

“It’ll be here in four minutes.”

She stares up at me, blinking slowly. “Thank you.”

“You’re thanking me again?”

Reaching out, she gives my bicep an affectionate squeeze. “Yeah. For giving a damn.” Her fingertips slide down my bare forearm, leaving a burning trail of fire behind. “It feels nice.”

Touching me, or the way I look out for her? Both? There hasn’t been a day in her presence when she hasn’t touched me. That’s why I missed it so much when I thought she’d left. Because my day doesn’t start until I feel her on my skin.

She stares up at me, as if waiting for me to tell her what to do next.

What I want, is to kiss her fucking senseless.

But she’s all done up for work and that lipstick won’t stand a chance of staying in place.

Not against the type of kiss I want to give her.

Plus, her ride will be here in a few minutes.

And she’s exhausted. I’ve already taken advantage of her state of mind.

Taken it way too far. I’m not going further, no matter how much my body’s screaming for it.

When I kiss her, I want time to savour her, devour her, ravish her. I want her fully present.

Pushing away from the wall, I take a step back and watch her gaze instantly snap down to my erection. I won’t apologise or try to hide from her. I want her to see what she does to me.

“You’d better get your stuff out of your car,” I tell her before I lose control. She moves immediately, that sexy arse disappearing into the laundry far too soon.

As blood races through my veins, I press my forearm against the wall and rest my head there. I’ve learnt something new about her just now. When I take charge, when I leave her with no choices to make, she enjoys it.

Benny taught me how to restrain myself in prison, but out here, in the real world, I don’t have any fucking control over my life. At least, I didn’t think so. Until now.

The woman who appears to thrive on control, wants to let go. My mind races over our conversations. It’s been more than once that she’s told me she wishes she could let someone else take the reins, be the one responsible so she doesn’t have to make all the decisions.

Although control seems ingrained within her everyday life, there’s at least one part where it isn’t.

Her role in a romantic relationship. Just like me, she’s never had one, so she doesn’t know who she is inside one.

The thought of taking the lead, guiding her and discovering what turns her on right along with her, has my breath catching in my throat.

When she emerges from the laundry with her satchel and coffee, she appears more pulled together than I am, though that fatigue is back.

A horn toots outside. I hurry to the front door and open it for her.

“Have a good day, Jamie.”

She glances down at my crotch, then meets my eyes with a mischievous grin. “I’m sure yours will be better than mine.”

Cheeky little minx.

I chuckle as she hurries out the door and down the steps. Without turning around, she gives me a little wave, then disappears into the waiting Uber at the kerb.

I consider doing what she clearly believes I’m going to do, but I need to get to work on the outside of the house before it gets too hot. Benny will be here soon, so at least I’ll have that distraction for the rest of the day.

But that’s only temporary. I have no idea how I’m going to control myself when she gets home tonight and we’re alone again. We can’t continue denying what’s happening between us. And it’s all too clear now that she won’t make a move. That’ll be up to me.

I’ll simply have to play it by ear. She’s already exhausted. Who knows how today will affect her. She’s overworked and her father’s betrayal is still weighing heavily on her emotional state.

Maybe now’s the worst time to push her. I want so much more with her than just the physical attraction that’s sparking between us. The last thing I want is to ignite it, only to fuck it up.