There was a beat of silence, and then I sprung from my plate. “I’ll get you more,” I said firmly.

Anastasia grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks because she was actually touching me willingly. “I can’t eat another bite. I promise,” she laughed.

I took a step toward her, and her laughter abruptly cut off, making way for a hitched breath. “You’ll tell me if you’re ever hungry?”

She gaped at me, and I was aware I was coming across a little intense—but I couldn’t stop myself.

Thinking of her being hungry was a new trigger for me. That much was clear.

“I have to get going to class,” she began, instead of answering my question. “Thank you so much for letting me stay here last night, Camden. You’ll never know how much it meant to me. I’ll try not to be such a nuisance in the future.” Her eyes were shiny by the time she finished, and I took a chance and softly stroked her cheek again, savoring the feeling of her skin.

“We’re going on a date tonight,” I told her firmly, locking eyes with her and gripping her chin so she couldn’t look away. “And then you’re going to come back here and sleep in that room. You’re going to sleep in that room for as long as you want. And you’re not going to argue with me. This is going to be your home for as long as you need it.”

Forever preferably.

“Do you understand?”

Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was opening and closing like she was at a loss for words.

“Besides,” I continued smoothly, “how am I supposed to make you hot chocolate and coffee whenever you need them if you aren’t here?”

Anastasia

It seemed like all I could do was stare at him. This was another of those moments...where I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or not. Had he really just offered for me to stay here...for as long as I needed?

I don’t know what came over me next. Maybe it was the fact that I’d just eaten the best meal of my life. Maybe it was because being this close to him was a life changing experience. Maybe it was because of what he’d just said...

I slid off the stool and slammed my lips against his, his body rocking backwards because he was so surprised.

When he didn’t move at all, I moved back, my cheeks heating and embarrassment soaking into my skin. Fuck. Why had I just done that? He’d just offered for me to live with him...and that had been my response?

I’d obviously read the entire situation wrong.

He’d just been being nice, right? That’s all this was?

“I’m so s—” I began.

“Fuck,” he murmured...and then his lips were closing over mine in a supple kiss. His hot, wet tongue was sliding inside me. He fucked my mouth; long licks that I swore had a central line to my clit. His hands were moving up and down my sides, my body pressing against his.

“I was trying to be good,” he breathed in between a kiss. “But now you’ve done it.”

I sighed against him as he dominated my mouth, his hands sliding into my hair and maneuvering me exactly where he wanted.

He broke away, and an embarrassing mewl came out of my mouth.

I needed more. I was desperate for him.

“I’m going to take such good care of you,” he growled, and my heart rate spiked at the promise in his voice.

His lips went back to mine, and then I was running my hands all over his powerful chest and his shoulders, pulling at his shirt because I needed him closer...

He was so perfect, it was almost heartbreaking, because I’d never seen anything as beautiful as him in my entire life.

I’d been kissed before by fumbling boys and assholes like Michael who had no interest in my pleasure. All they wanted was to take from me. This was a kiss from a man—a man who knew how to play my body perfectly to get the maximum amount of pleasure for both of us.

Camden moaned against my lips, pressing his huge, hard length into my stomach as he ate at my mouth, deep, savoring licks, like he couldn’t get enough of my taste.

He tugged at my hair, pulling my head back as his lips drifted down my neck, and I rubbed against him.