Page 71 of Love Me Like You Do

A whirring sound had her tipping her head back to watch the curved ceiling split open, wide enough to fit the telescope.

“This is unbelievable.” A billion stars sparkled like diamonds, and before she could even notice the icy cold air pouring in, a blanket settled around her shoulders. “You think of everything.”

“This room is what sold me on the house.”

“Really? And here I thought it was the wrapping room. Or at least the bowling alley.”

He chuckled. “Nothing about it sucks, but this room sealed the deal.”

“It’s probably better in summer.”

“Probably, but we’re here now.” He adjusted the telescope for her, hitting buttons and turning levers.

She watched him for a moment, his bottom tight and round in those pajama bottoms, his broad shoulders stretching the Henley T-shirt across his back. “Thank you for showing me this.”

“Sure.” He stepped aside. “Okay, now take a look.” When she didn’t move, didn’t speak, just stared at him, he said, “You’re not looking.”

“I’m looking all right. I’m looking at you.” She pressed her palm flat to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. “Because I’m wildly, thoroughly, head over heels crazy about you. Not what you have or what you can do for me butyou.”

She’d rendered him speechless.

Good. She had more to say. “Senior year, I was the new kid yet again, so I showed up with a chip on my shoulder, and I made sure to push everyone but Lindsay away. You did something amazing for me—you took me to a restaurant on the side of a mountain overlooking a waterfall—and I barely spoke to you. That was my issue, Cole. Not yours.”

“I took it too far—”

She pressed her fingers over his lips and shook his head. She wasn’t done. “And even now, instead of being with you the way I want—I need—I’ve let fear hold me back. I’ve told myself I need an emotional connection when we’ve had one all along. In all my life, you’re the one person I can count on. And I don’t mean for you to be on time or to help around the house. I mean I can count on your feelings for me. They’ve been constant since I’ve known you.” She reached for him, desperate to be in his arms.

But his arms straightened, holding her at a distance. “No.”

What?Had she read this all wrong?

“The more I know you, the more I like you, and every damn second I spend with you makes me want you more. So, no. My feelings have not remained constant. They’ve grown. They continue to grow.” His chest rose and fell, and his cheeks darkened. “I’ve only ever wanted you, andthat’s the only thing that will never change.”

She believed him, and it gave her roots and wings—neither of which she’d ever had. “Close the skylight, Cole.” Her quest for safety, security, had kept her in a tiny little box.

No more of that.

“You don’t want to see the stars?”

“The only stars I want to see are the ones you make with your tongue.”

Without even looking, he smacked the button on the wall. And then he was on her. He grabbed her ass, lifted her, and brought her to the roomy, leather couch. Setting her down gently, he held her cheeks and kissed her reverently, sweetly, drugging her with his devotion.

She needed more of him, all of him, so she wrapped her arms around his back and pulled him down so she could feel his chest against hers. The kiss deepened, turned voracious, until she was yanking up his shirt. Reluctantly, he tore his mouth away to get up. He peeled the shirt off, shrugged off his pajama pants, and said, “Get naked. Want all of you. Every fucking inch.”

She’d never wanted anything more. She’d never trusted anyone more. Her shorts, shirt, and bra went flying, and she kicked off her flip-flops. The moment she lay back down, he straddled her. He kissed her with his heart, his soul, with the same urgency and desire that made her blood burn.

He kissed her cheek, her chin, the column of her neck. His hot mouth slid to her collarbone, and then he cupped her breasts, drew them together, and jiggled them. “You’re so fucking hot.” His hot mouth sucked her nipple, his tongue swirling and flicking.

She writhed beneath him, drawing him closer, needing more, more, more. More of his wet mouth. He watched her, the hunger in his eyes only ramping up her need.

“So sexy.”

She couldn’t stand it. “Now, Cole.” She was going out of her mind, the pulse between her legs nearly painful. “I need you inside me. I can’t take it anymore.”

With a groan, he shifted lower, parting her thighs, and licking a fiery path between her legs.

“Cole.” Her hips twisted, and he clamped his hands on them, holding her in place.