Page 89 of Wanted

“Couldn’t focus.”

“Something wrong?”

“Come here, Frankie.”

His voice grits across my skin like the scratch of sandpaper against a rough piece of wood. I shiver at the coarse tone.

“I’m really dirty.” I hold my arms out to display my soiled shirt.

“Either you come here or I’m coming over there.”

The order pulls me from my stationary spot by the wall.

“That’s not much of a threat. I like when you do all the work, and I don’t like to be told what to do.”

“You should get used to it.”

“Yeah?” I stop close but not touching him as the thrill of his words races up my spine.

Jude leans forward, snags my hand, and drags me into his lap. My thighs split into a straddle over his.

“Yeah.” He leans back, hands tight on my hips, just holding me as he studies my face with hooded eyes. “Kiss me.”

My stomach flips. With his attention firmly on my mouth, I can’t help but run my tongue over my lips. A groan rumbles in his chest, and his fingers convulse, squeezing me. His palms spanning across my hips make me feel small in his hold.

“Baby, kiss me.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

Resting my hands on his broad shoulders, I lean in. My eyes flutter closed as my lips touch his.

He lets me lead, lets me explore the feel of his mouth under mine. A current runs through me as I touch his tongue, zipping through my body as he groans and opens. I slide closer against him, pressing my thighs deep into the couch.

Jude rolls his hips, his impressive bulge unyielding against my clit. I whine into his mouth. He pulls away to nip my lip.

“That’s the kind of kiss I expect to get whenever you get home.”

I can’t help rocking against him. “I think that’s an order I can follow.”

“Good.”

“Everything okay?” I ask again, wondering what precipitated this new request.

Palming the back of my head, he pulls my forehead to his and tucks my hair behind my ear. “I missed you.”

I cup his cheeks, feeling the stubble prick my palms. “I missed you too.”

“They were good to you?”

“Jude, you never have to worry about your family. They’re always good to me. Too good.”

His eyes drift to the side in thought. “You deserve what they give you and more.” He plants a sweet kiss on my forehead, and I close my eyes.

“So do you,” I say quietly, toeing the invisible line.

His throat works over an audible swallow, and he nods sharply.

Once.

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