Page 19 of Obeying the Owner

“No, that would be my brother, but we’re a tight-knit bunch. I’m blessed to have amazing parents.”

“That’s so nice. I’m close to mine too. They’re currently living in Sweden. My dad’s a guest professor.”

“How long has it been since you’ve seen them in person?”

“About a year and a half.”

“Can I get you another drink or maybe something to eat?” he asks.

“Yes, please. A glass of water would be great.”

I watch him take a glass from one of the upper cabinets and fill it with water from a pitcher he removed from the fridge. He hands me the glass, and our fingers brush.

His body parts are about to be doing a lot more than brushing against me.

“Thank you,” I say. My hand trembles as I raise the glass to my lips, and I’m hoping he doesn’t notice. The cold, crisp water soothes my parched throat. “Would you like some?” I ask, extending my hand toward him. I don’t expect him to take the glass from me, so I’m surprised when he does. His gray eyes lock on mine as he raises it to his mouth and swallows down the remainder. He doesn’t look away as he places the empty glass on the granite counter, nor when he steps forward, gently invading my space.

He skims the back of his fingers down my cheek and along the curve of my chin, making my heart pound in a steady drumbeat.

“You’re absolutely stunning.” Starting at the corner of my mouth, his thumb slowly traces out the shape of my lips. “And I can’t hold off on kissing you any longer.”

He cups my jaw in his large hands, tipping my face upward as his lips descend toward mine. Time slows, and my eyelids fall closed just before the first touch of his lips. Soft as a whisper and much too brief, I long for more.

The next press of his lips lingers as he explores my mouth with tender reverence. He angles my head, taking control and deepening the kiss. His tongue sweeps in, caressing mine, igniting a spark of desire.

Flattening my palms on the hard planes of his chest, I slide them up, clutching his shoulders, and press myself into the heat and hardness of his body.

One of his arms moves down, wrapping around the small of my back, drawing me in closer. Our tongues tangle together in a frenzy of need. When we finally part, both our chests heave as we stare with wide-eyed surprise at each other.

“Goddamn,” he husks, his voice deep and gravelly.

Our kiss seems to have fried my brain. All I can manage is a brief nod of agreement.

He takes hold of my hand, leading me from the kitchen to the main hallway and up the stairs without a single word. After the kiss we just shared, I might be willing to follow him anywhere he wants.

James’s bedroom is the first room on the left side. When he taps a switch on the wall, the lamps on both nightstands turn on, lighting up his enormous bed and gray padded headboard.

Still holding my hand, he walks to the side of the bed and turns to me. “If you change your mind at any moment, I’ll stop, no questions asked.”

I nod. “Do I need a safe word?” I’m unfamiliar with one-night stand rules, but that’s how they handle it in books.

His eyes darken with heated interest. “Do you have a safe word?”

My gaze lowers, and I shake my head. My cheeks heat with embarrassment.

Why did I bring up a safe word?

He raises my chin with his knuckle until I meet his gaze. “Don’t be embarrassed. Does the idea of a safe word intrigue you?”

I nod without hesitation. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to need one.

“Tell me with words,” he prods.

“Yes, it does.”

His lips curve, and the thought of pleasing him sends a shiver up my spine. “Are you cold?” he asks.

“No. It’s from anticipation.”

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