Page 44 of The Stolen Dagger

Suddenly, Drew pulled back. His green eyes were dark with desire. “You have no idea what you do to me, darlin’.”

His confession made me feel all warm inside. I smiled and leaned forward again, but he stopped me.

“Wait,” he said softly, almost as if it pained him. “Are you sure?”

Still reeling from the kiss, it took me a second to process his question. I stared at him, confused.

I was the one who kissed him first. Of course, I was sure.

“Because I don’t think I can go back to how things were before,” he continued, running the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip. “Those months without you were my personal Hell. I’m not letting you push me away again.”

Oh.Something fluttered in my chest at his declaration.

“So I need to know that you are sure about this.” He gestured between us. “About us.”

Was I sure? I’d never been more sure about anything in my life. I wanted Drew in all the ways I could have him, and I wanted him now. Injured shoulder be damned.

“I’m sure.” I smiled and playfully nipped at his thumb as it swiped by. “I’m done denying this feeling between us. I want you. I want all of you.”

Saying those words was like a weight lifted off my chest. I felt lighter. For the first time in so long, I felt unburdened by my past. And it was all because of him.

Drew made a noise in the back of his throat that sounded like a mix between a groan and a growl before he pulled me to him and devoured my lips in another deliciously bruising kiss.

This one was more frantic and desperate than the first. It was all lips and teeth and tongue and soft moans. It was hot and desperate and everything I needed.

Keeping one hand on the back of my neck, Drew reached down with his other to lift my thigh as I curled my leg over his hip. He stepped closer between my legs where I so desperately wanted more of him.

Like they had a mind of their own, my hips rocked back and forth in rhythm with his kiss.

I moaned when I felt him harden against me.

Drew kissed down my neck as his hips ground me against the counter. “Can you feel my need for you, darlin’?”

Dazed by his lips and the feel of his warm body against mine, I tried to reply, but it came out more like a moan followed by other mewling sounds.

I was sure to be embarrassed by that later, but at the moment, it was all I could do in response to his sinful words.

His mouth widened into a smile against my skin. “I love the little noises you make.”

My hands fisted his shirt as he continued his delicious assault on my neck. The feeling of his hot mouth on my skin sent tingles through my body, straight to my clit. I could feel my desire pooling there for him.

“More,” I pleaded.

In one swift move, Drew picked me up under my thighs and placed me onto the countertop. I landed on the hard surface with a thump, rattling my injured shoulder.

“Ah,” I muttered, reaching for the sore spot through the daze of my lust.

“Fuck.” Drew pulled back, and his eyes were wide inhorror. “Did I hurt you, baby?” He shook his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“No, it’s fine,” I said, my gaze on his lips, and reached for him again.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Katherine,” Drew whispered, as if the thought pained him. “I couldn’t live with myself if I did.”

“You won’t hurt me.” I placed a hand on his stubbled cheek and tried to reassure him. “I’m grateful you’re concerned, but I’m fine. The movement just surprised me.”

He shook his head slightly, unsure what to do.

“Please, Drew,” I whispered. “I need you.”