Page 53 of Trust Me

His lips are rougher against mine, more demanding as he controls the pace. He kisses me like it’s our last, our lips melding with an intensity that wasn’t there moments ago. He nips at my bottom lip, then teases my lips with his tongue, seeking permission.

I give it to him, a moan trapped in my throat at the feel of his tongue on mine. He uses it expertly, not too much, not too sloppy. It’s a craft, one he’s well skilled at.

He has one hand in my hair and one on my hip, his fingers digging into my skin through my dress hard enough that I think there will be bruises tomorrow. I never understood why girls in books liked that, but I get it now. It’s a sign that I was wanted, that I made someone come undone after testing their restraint.

I break the kiss, needing a moment to collect myself and the feelings that are hitting me for the first time. It all feels like too much, yet not enough. My body aches for more.

“Elio,” I breathe shakily, resting my forehead against his.

“Do you get it now, dolcezza? How I wanted to kiss you and claim you at the same time? Because you’re mine and always have been.”

“I do,” I half moan at his words, secretly loving this possessive side of him.

“Say it, tell me you’re mine. I won’t share you, Jasmine, not a fucking chance,” he snaps, the words rough.

“I think you need to show me rather than tell me,” I taunt him, needing more of him.

Desire blazes in his eyes, but he doesn’t make a move. “I will, but not tonight. I want to take it slow with you.”

“What if I don’t want you to be gentle with me? Everyone else in my life is,” I complain.

He leans forward and presses his lips to my forehead, letting them linger. The action makes the thread around my heart fray, threatening to loosen and open up to him.

“This isn’t me denying you because I don’t want to. Trust me, I want it more than anything. But today’s been a lot and I want you to think about it before we do anything else, okay?”

I bring my hand up to his cheek and stroke his beard with my fingers. I don’t know how he knew what I truly needed before I even came to the realization, but it only pulls that thread looser.

“Thank you,” I whisper. Then I attempt to get off his lap, but he holds me firmly in place.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“To my room?”

“Just because we’re not doing more doesn’t mean I was done kissing you.”

“Oh,” I quip, a smile on my lips.

“Yeah, oh.” He smiles back, the sight so beautiful it makes my chest ache.

I lean forward and press my lips to his once more, not nervous like I was at first, and not frantic like it was when he initiated it. Our kiss is slow this time, tender and sweet. His lips move against mine with precision, while I follow his lead, mimicking the way his lips move over mine.

He hasn’t made me feel insecure about not knowing what I’m doing. He lets me be in control while guiding me the entire time. It makes me confident enough that I rock my hips against his.

A cry of pleasure crawls up my throat, but it’s muffled by our lips on one another’s. He groans into my mouth, the vibration thrumming right to my clit.

“I’ve thought about it, and I want you,” I plead, while he kisses my neck, making me shiver. It’s sensitive and the feeling of his scruff mixed with the softness of his lips there has my pulse ramping up.

“Let’s make a deal,” he muses, leaning back as his hand begins to trail up my thigh.

“What’s that?” I rock against him, loving the feel of him hard beneath me, but loving the guttural groan he lets out when I do even more.

“If I slide my hand between your thighs and your cunt’s dripping for me, I’ll take care of it. If not, we go to bed.”

I agree all too easily, knowing he’ll be more than pleased when he makes his way there. “Sounds like an easy deal to take.”

“We’ll see,” he gruffs, lifting my hips up off his lap where he grabs where the slit of my dress is, and tears it.

“Asshole, this was my favorite dress!” I slap my palm across his chest playfully.

---