Page 30 of Love Like Lightning

“Do you want me to be trying, Gia?”

The question is for me, mostly, because why would she even ask that if she didn’t want me to? Why even entertain it? But again, with her, I need explicit confirmation before I do anything else.

So I wait. And for a moment she doesn’t say anything, but I watch as her lips curl into a smile that promises sin and passion and everything else I could possibly crave with her.

And fuck if I don’t smile back the exact same way.

12

Gianna

“Do you remember the night we met?” I ask without thinking and feel the rush of blood to my cheeks at my own damn question. Before he can do more than smile at me knowingly, I clarify. “What you said, about me asking for what I want?”

I’m feeling bold again. Something that isn’t a trend, necessarily, because I haven’t ever really felt like this other than when I’m with Henry, but it seems to be becoming one. Maybe it’s because of how easy things seem to be when I’m around Henry. Maybe it’s because I’m truly myself around him and I’m much bolder than I previously thought.

Who knows?

“Of course I remember. I told you that you should always ask for what you want and what you need.”

“Hmm.” I hum in assent. Maybe, just maybe, I want him again. “Would it be all right if I kissed you?” My voice is husky and low, and I don’t even bother trying to clear my throat because there’s no helping it. Somewhere between our dinner at the diner and us lying in bed together, I made a decision.

He quirks his brow, and his eyes smolder, practically setting me alight. “Is that a want or a need, Gia?”

I consider his question, taking note of the warmth flushing my body and the heaviness settling low in my abdomen. I remember the decision I made to invite him in and the thoughts that have been flitting in and out of my head ever since.

And so, I answer truthfully, no matter how stupid it may sound. “It’s a need, Henry.” His name is barely off the tip of my tongue before he surges forward and pulls me into the kiss I just asked for.

He cups my face in his hands, pressing his lips to mine softly. Pulling back, he looks at me, seemingly asking for some kind of further permission, but instead of answering, I claim him in a kiss of my own.

My kiss is more insistent, less searching. I bring my hand to the back of his neck and curl my fingers into the fine hair there. He lets out a low moan that I feel all the way down to my toes. I try to get my other hand on him, but it’s almost impossible because of the position we’re in.

Sensing my frustration, he moves both of us so he’s beneath me and I’m straddling his hips. Shifting as I try to get comfortable in this new position, I brush against his erection and break our kiss on a moan. Sitting up, I brace my hands on his chest and find him flushed and breathing heavy. For a second, I just look at him.

He’s so hot. Like, so incredibly hot it makes my blood boil beneath my skin. The slope of his nose is hot. The light dusting of freckles kissing it is hot. The sharp cut of his jaw is hot. The way the light of the room glints off of his beautiful hazel eyes is hot.

It’s ridiculous, and if I think too hard about it, I’ll surely convince myself that there’s no way he wants to be with me like this.

Certainly not for a second time.

So I don’t think.

“What would you say if I said that we’re both wearing entirely too many clothes?” I ask, a little breathless myself.

“I’d say what I’ve already said. All you have to do is ask. Whatever you want, Gia, I want to give it to you.”

“Then can we get a little more naked?” I bite down hard on my bottom lip, worry coursing through me as if it’s not obvious he’s going to say yes. As if I can’t feel just how into this he is.

“Absolutely.” He practically hurls me off of him and hops off the bed, then starts ripping his clothes off like they’re on fire.

Laughing to myself, I stand and join him. Once I get down to my bra and panties, I pause for a second before removing them too. There’s no pretense here. We both know where this night is going and frankly, I’m comfortable enough with him that the thought of stripping naked in front of him doesn’t make me nervous.

It makes me wet.

He makes me that way.

“Oh, Gia, you’re so fucking beautiful. You know that, right?” Henry rakes his eyes from the top of my head down to my toes. He doesn’t zero in on my chest or between my legs. His eyes linger, sure, but he appreciates every inch of me, and witnessing that makes my nipples harden and my pussy throb.

“Even if I did, it’s nice to hear.” I watch as he rolls down his dark boxer briefs, revealing himself to me.

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