Page 85 of The Promise Of Rain

Voice deeper than I’d ever heard it, he ordered, “Wrap those legs around my waist, baby.”

I complied readily, staring into his dark eyes and hanging on as he turned and walked us over to the couch.

Sitting down with my knees straddling his thighs, he cupped the nape of my neck and pulled my mouth to meet his.

Lips firm but gentle, he coaxed my mouth open.

Invited my tongue to play.

Nipped at my lips.

And left me panting for more.

Leaning back, he grasped the hem of his t-shirt and gently lifted it up over my head before dropping it to the floor.

His eyes dropped to my breasts, and he sucked in a sharp breath.“God, you’re beautiful.”

My plain, white bra embarrassed me.Did he find it lacking?I mean, of course it was, but it was the only type I owned.

“Um,” I began to squirm under his gaze, pressing my fingers into the hard muscles of his shoulders.

“Hush,” he muttered.“Not a word.”

Not a word?

My hands drifted down to the buttons of his shirt and slipped first one and then another free, desperate to feel his naked chest under my palms.

He grasped my wrists and settled my hands on his shoulders.“Don’t move.”

I blinked.

Don’t talk, don’t move?

This might work out in my favour.No guesswork.

With nothing to do or say, I settled my weight on his lap and waited.

He stroked my hip.“Very nice.”

My body eased further, those two words and that gentle touch dipping into my psyche and soothing the beast that always strived to be in control.

His other hand landed on my knee and swept up the length of my thigh to rest on my other hip.Gripping both, he dragged me forward, the heat at my core mere inches from the hard length pressing against the placket of his pants.

One hand rose to cup my ribs, his thumb caressing the underside of my breast through my bra.

My head fell back on my shoulders as his fingers traced the edge of my bra before stroking the swell of my breast and returning to my ribs.

I lifted my head, my eyes heavy with need and hazy with desire.

I’d never felt so alive, so heavy and present in my body.

His chest expanded as he inhaled deeply and seemed to settle.When he raised his eyes to meet mine, they were soft.

What is happening?

Ten years ago, he hadn’t exactly been domineering, but he certainly didn’t handle me like I was fragile.

My stomach burned with anger.