Page 343 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

An endearingly hopeful light filtered into his eyes. He nodded.

“Then, yes.”

With her admission, she felt an unexpected sense of peace surround her heart, dismantling the protections she’d always kept in place to guard against disappointment.

Ironically, her first experience with him had offered her lessons both in caution and in valuing her own self-worth. That learned wariness had served her well when she’d navigated through subsequent relationships, helping her recognize when something wasn’t right. She’d known when to walk away from toxic situations. Without knowing it, he’d contributed to her understanding of her own self-worth and the value of setting healthy boundaries.

He’d been a typical self-absorbed teenage boy. There’d been no malice in his actions. Only the gratification of sexual curiosity—on both their parts. They hadn’t thought about the future or where their actions might lead. They’d chosen to focus on that moment—that idyllic summer—until the moment had ended so abruptly and he’d allowed her to disappear from his life without a word of protest.

But tonight, she found the courage to trust the man he’d become. And she wanted to spend the night with him.

The wound he left is the wound that would heal.

Her Sunday online meditation group would be most impressed by her personal insights. Just last week, the meditative prompt had been a Rumi quote: The wound is where the light enters you.

Considering the devoted, repentant look in Dominic’s eyes, she felt she could release the past. She could enter into new possibilities with him.

Since her external life had fallen apart today, she craved a glimpse of certainty and the comfort he offered in his strong arms. She could let go…and feel safe.

“I want you, too,” she said, guiding his mouth to hers.

Passion sparked in his gaze a moment before he angled his head and kissed her deeply.

Four

A powerful, insatiable desire gripped Dominic.

He’d never felt anything like this.

The overwhelming sensation confirmed deep down that his heart had somehow held out for Lara for a reason. He swept her into his arms and carried her upstairs.

As he laid her on his bed, he took care removing her boots, kissing each instep. He gazed down at her reverently.

“I’ve fantasized about having you in my bed.”

She caught her lower lip between her teeth in a sexy invitation. “Then show me all your fantasies.”

Her invitation nearly unleashed his scant hold on his base urges. But she deserved better. She deserved to feel worshipped and adored.

Undressing her slowly, he sipped her soft skin and absorbed her into his senses. While she was right, he’d had plenty of experiences with women, he’d never wanted one woman so completely.

And he’d like to think he’d become a more sophisticated lover than the brash teenage boy she’d known.

Tonight, he had something to prove.

He kissed up and down each bare leg, nibbling her ankles, gliding his tongue along the backs of her knees, as he traveled toward her juncture.

Finally, he ended her gasps for pleasure as he settled between her thighs. And tasted her for the first time.

His glance journeyed across the undulating rhythm of her hips, the points of her ribs, and her luscious breasts to the expressions of ecstasy crossing her face. The view was breathtaking.

Her hips quacked and her whole body shook as his mouth brought her to orgasm. He licked the light spasms that followed. She sighed with bliss.

Just wait, beautiful. He delivered countless kisses as took his time discovering her body.

He took her face in his hands. “I’ve waited so long for you.”

“I’ve missed you. I want you,” she breathed, digging her fingertips into his shoulders with encouragement.

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