Page 73 of The Very First Night

I’m thankful that I no longer have to wonder what it’s like to feel her.

Elijah never deserved her—the thought of them together actually makes my skin crawl. However, it was never my choice to make; never my place to lure her away from him simply to be able to touch her when she clearly loved him.

I’m not that guy. I’ll never be that guy.

That’s what makes this new advancement just that much sweeter. She wants this, she wants me…even if it’s just for the sake of wiping him from her memory.

I can work with that.

My lips press firmly against hers, my tongue flicking out to tease her own. Kat lets out a soft gasp, her body relaxing into mine as she eagerly responds. I deepen the kiss, our tongues dancing and exploring each other’s mouths. Her hands find their way to my hair, pulling me closer as our bodies become one in this passionate moment.

I want to relish it, savor it, because I very well might not get this again. It’s possible she wakes up tomorrow and decides that once was enough to pull her out of this Elijah Hanas-induced haze. While the thought of that is about the last thing I want, I’d respect it. We had a deal, so if this is all she needs from me, I’ll gladly hand it over.

In an effort to more literally follow through on our deal, I tighten my grip on her waist and pull her toward me, away from the headboard. With a swift movement, I flip her over so that she’s lying on her back under me. Her body tenses and she gasps as I maneuver her into position.

Kat’s eyes meet mine for the first time since I kissed her, and I can’t help but inspect them. While I’ll be the first to say this is just sex, just something she needs, I can’t help but find myself clamoring for reassurance that this is the right move for us, for her. The last thing I’d want to do is push her too far.

As if she can read my mind, Kat whispers, “Tanner.” Her voice is raspy in a way I’ve never heard before.

“Hm?”

She inches closer, her eyes locked on mine, and I can smell the hint of mint wafting from her breath. “Kiss me,” she demands, and I eagerly oblige.

Our lips meet with a force that sends sparks shooting through my entire body. I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her closer. She tastes like spearmint, which must mean she snuck away to brush her teeth after dinner—a smart move considering the heavy dose of garlic Jenna used in the sauce. But even with the refreshing minty taste, all I can focus on is the warmth of her lips against mine and the electricity between us.

My lips trace a path of gentle pressure over her collarbone, leaving a trail of soft kisses. Kat’s breath hitches as I continue my slow descent, my tongue gently teasing the sensitive skin beneath her ear. I can feel the heat radiating from her body, matching the fire building within me. Her moans grow louder with each pass until a gasp escapes her lips and she wraps her arms around me tighter.

Goddamn, that sound.

She tangles her fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck before yanking my head backward. It stings, but in that intoxicating way that drops you on the edge of something even more pleasurable than you could ever think possible.

Our mouths crash together once again before she reaches down to slip her fingers just slightly below the waistband of my sweatpants.

Yes, fuck yes, but not yet.

When I yank her hand away, she whimpers in protest, but all I can do is grin at her insistence.

“Have some patience—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” I return to kissing her neck, except this time I venture lower. As I press my lips against her soft skin, my tongue dances over each raised goosebump on a trail toward the edge of her thin camisole. My bottom lip grazes the fabric as I continue to explore every inch of her body.

I tug the fabric downward to find she isn’t wearing a bra. Admittedly, I was hopeful when she appeared to have changed into pajamas after dinner, but I couldn’t be sure.

Slowly and lightly, I circle the pad of my thumb over her rosy pink nipple, in complete awe at every new discovery of her body. I’ve envisioned what she might look like beneath her clothes a million times over, oftentimes in situations that made me feel like anything but a gentleman, late into the night after she’s gone to bed when I still taste rocky road on the tip of my tongue.

Every inch of her skin is new and thrilling to discover. I can’t believe my luck.

Dipping my head lower, I close my lips around her sensitive nipple and lap my tongue against it with precision, toying with the sensitive peak as she gasps. I can’t fight the grin that creeps across my lips at the sound, so I look up at her.

The flames that burn in her eyes make me wonder if she’s as turned on as I am. Her skin tastes of honey and spice and all I can think about is what other parts of her taste like.

What her pussy tastes like.

And here I am telling her about the virtues of patience… The irony is not lost on me.

I hook my fingers on either side of her pajama shorts to find a cherry-red thong hidden beneath. My grin widens at the sight as I bite my lip with delight. “Did you come in here knowing this would happen?”

Her face reddens and she shakes her head. “No, but I hoped it would.”

Good answer. Good fucking answer.

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