Page 40 of The Eraser

It's beautiful. The room is huge, with mirrors on every wall, making it seem even bigger than it is. A rail borders the entire room and the wooden floors add the perfect ambiance. He's done an amazing job.

I turn to face him fully. I step closer, pressing against him as I reach up onto my tiptoes and press my lips against his. It's the first time I've initiated a kiss, and I'm glad I did. His arms slide around my waist and he hauls me closer as he takes over, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding past my parted lips.

The kiss is deep, passionate, and filled with want. God, his touch sets me on fire, igniting a passion within me that I never knew existed. As we kiss, time seems to stand still around us. Everything fades into oblivion as we become lost in each other. The intensity of his embrace sends shivers down my spine, and I find myself melting into him completely.

In that moment, nothing else matters except the electrifying connection between us.

He pulls back for a second, staring at me. He gazes deeply into my eyes, his expression filled with a raw emotion that takes my breath away. Without a word, he pulls me even closer, his lips finding mine once more in a searing kiss that leaves me dizzy with desire. This man has awakened something inside me, something primal and untamed, and I know in this moment that I never want it to end.

ChapterSeventeen

STEPHEN

Two weeks later

"Please fucking tellme that we have a location?" I ask Maverick, my fingers gripping my cell tightly.

It's been two weeks and Thomas hasn't been seen or heard from in that time. His men have been rounded up and are currently holed up somewhere in the city. They can't escape, but they're being given enough food and drink to survive—just long enough for us to get the answers we need. They've not yet given up Thomas, but I know it's only a matter of time before they start talking.

"Nothing," Mav sighs. "Fucking cunt is gone, Stephen, but he'll fuck up somehow. They always do. We've just got to be patient."

Patience isn't something I have. He hurt my woman and that's not something I take lightly. Fuck, I want to rip the fucker's head off his shoulders, torture him until he's unable to speak, and when he's begging for mercy, I'll do it over and over again until he's broken.

"I'll see you this evening," I tell him, my anger coursing through me. I hate not knowing what's going on, and with Thomas in the wind, we have no idea what he's got planned.

"I'll be there," he replies. "Jer's happy he'll get to see Jess," he says. "I don't think I've seen him so relieved before."

"As long as he doesn't upset her, he can stay," I say through clenched teeth. I'm still not entirely sure about having him around her, especially as they haven't had the best of relationships.

"He won't," Mav vows. "I gotta go. I'll see you later."

I end the call and take a deep breath. Jess reacts to anger. I've noticed over the past two weeks that she's very in tune with people's emotions, and anger is something that has her withdrawing into herself. It's been different having her here, but in a good way. I've never lived with a woman—not since I was a kid—but I find myself seeking Jess out. Whenever I'm home, I go in search of her and want to spend time with her.

She woke up this morning and went straight to the dance room. I had work to do and couldn't take the time to watch, which put me in a bad mood, but she's finished now and is out of the shower.

I move toward the bedroom. I haven't been sleeping with her, although I do sleep on the chair in the room. I don't think she's ready for that yet. But Christ, it's hard to keep my hands off her. Slowly but surely, she's getting used to me holding and kissing her, but I want more. I want to taste her, to fuck her.

Entering the room, I'm surprised to see she's wearing a dress, one that hits above her knee, her scar showing slightly. She's fucking beautiful and the scar doesn't matter to me, and thankfully she's started to realize that it shouldn't hold her back.

"Hey," she greets me as she brushes her hair. "Everything okay?"

My cock strains against my pants. "Everything's good, Little Dancer. Jer will be here tonight."

She flashes me a grin, placing the hairbrush on the dressing table, and moves toward me. "Thank you. I know you'd rather him not be, but I'm grateful you're letting him come."

"When it comes to you," I say with a raised bow, "I seem to find I can't deny you."

Her grin turns into a bright smile, one that reaches her eyes. "I have a feeling that I'd be the same with you." She places her hand on my chest, and heat sparks through my shirt where her hand is lying so close to my heart. Reaching up on her tiptoes, she places a soft kiss against my cheek. “Thank you,” she whispers.

My hands go to her hips and I grip tightly as I pull her flush against me. She gasps, and I know that she can feel my erection against her stomach. My face is barely inches from hers, her breath hot against my skin.

“I’ve been good,” I snarl. "I've been holding back. Not anymore." Lowering my lips to hers, I take her mouth. Hard.

I don’t ease up, my hands gripping her hips as she opens her mouth and gives me access. My tongue sweeps in and she moans as her hands reach for my hair. This woman can fucking kiss. I pull away, my breathing hard as I look at her flushed cheeks.

"Why have you been holding back?" she asks, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"What I want, Little Dancer, is to fuck you, and I don't think you're ready for me."

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