Page 75 of To the Chase

“I’ve never had one.” I leaned into his touch, on the verge of purring. “Do you have an idea?”

“I’ve never had one either.” He pulled me closer, running his nose along mine. “Antarctica?”

“Yes,” I murmured, so close to his lips I could feel his breath. “That’s perfect.”

We moved at the same time, our mouths colliding in a firm, hungry kiss. A whimper escaped me without warning, and Tore groaned, low and rough, making me melt into him. His fingers curled in my hair, tilting my head just enough for him to deepen the kiss.

I loved the way he kissed. Like he’d thought it out, studied every aspect, then put his knowledge to use on me.

I parted my lips, letting him in, and everything else—the movie playing on the TV, the tension from dinner, my dog’s quiet snores—faded until there was only us. His hands, his mouth, the careful yet unrelenting way he touched me.

Aching for more, I bunched up my dress and climbed into his lap, straddling him, knees on either side of his hips. He stilled for a second, like he was recalibrating, then exhaled through his nose and leaned back just enough to look at me.

“I like you from this angle,” he said, more gruff than I’d ever heard him.

I flattened my palms on his chest, sliding upward to his shoulders. “You’re so handsome, it’s hard to look at you head-on.”

Tore adjusted his glasses, his mouth opening and closing as he stared up at me. His fingers tightened on my thighs, and his gaze swept over my face with that same intense focus he gave everything that mattered to him.

“You really think that?” he asked, his voice low.

I leaned in, brushing my nose against his. “I do. You’re the smartest man I’ve ever met, so you really have no business looking like you do.” I nipped his jaw and chin, making him shift beneath me. “From what I’ve felt and glimpsed, the college rumors were true. And the way you look at me”—I shivered—“like I’m the only thing you see.”

His throat bobbed with a swallow. “No one’s ever spoken to me the way you do.”

I pressed down on his erection, a puff of air escaping from between my lips. “Does it make you feel good?”

“Yes. So damn good.”

He kissed me again, deep and purposeful, giving me praise with action instead of words. And I felt it—the way he desired me, couldn’t get enough of me. He didn’t hold back or play it cool, and that made it easier for me to dive in headfirst. I rocked my hips against him, and his hands gripped tighter, dragging a groan from us both.

He broke the kiss, breathing hard. “I want—”

I slid my fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Tell me,” I murmured.

“To taste you. I want to taste you.”

My breath caught.

“Ineedto,” he amended. “Can I?”

I closed my eyes and exhaled. I’d have to get used to his direct questions. Hearing him ask made me squirm as heat rose from my belly to my cheeks. I loved it.

“Yes,” I whispered, my eyes fluttering open and locking with his. “I need it too.”

Chapter Twenty-eight

Bea

Torehelpedmeoffhis lap and set me on my feet while he remained sitting. With deliberate care, he lifted the hem of my dress, his eyes locked on mine, offering me the chance to stop him. I didn’t. I wouldn’t.

“I can’t stop looking at you,” he murmured, sliding his palms along the path my dress had taken. “Every part of you. I want to learn you, Beatrice.”

A tremble rippled through me, my breath catching as his hands settled on my hips. His thumbs stroked smooth circles just below my panties, teasing me. I was already wet,soaked, and he was only making it worse.

“You can.” I threaded my fingers through his hair, guiding his face closer to where I wanted it to be. “You can learn everything you want to know about me, Tore.”

He looked up at me like I’d handed him something valuable and he didn’t quite know how to proceed. But he made up his mind quickly, leaning in to kiss the curve where my inner thighs met. My knees wobbled, and his grip tightened, keeping me right where he wanted me.