Page 288 of By His Rule

I suck in a deep, greedy breath when he drags his lips from mine, kissing across my jaw and down my throat.

“Shit, Temptress,” he groans, pressing his forehead against my shoulder, fighting to catch his own breath.

“I know,” I whisper.

Kissing him. Being with him. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.

It’s scary and exhilarating.

It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, just…not the kind of man I ever expected.

“I should get you home before we do something we might regret,” he says roughly.

“You’d regret taking me on the beach?” I ask, quirking a brow.

“I’d regret not treating you the way you deserve. And,” he says, pushing up so he can look down at me, “have you ever had sand burn? Puts you out of action for days, and…” His eyes drop to my lips and he sucks his bottom one into his mouth. “That can’t happen.”

Heat rolls through me.

“I want to take my time with you, Lorelei. Worship every single inch of this body,” he explains, sliding his hand back down my side, brushing over my breast before hooking my thigh higher around him, grinding into me in a way that makes me gasp.

I want to tell him that we can do that later, that we can have both, but before I can find the words, he lifts me to my feet. Thankfully, he doesn’t leave me to stand on unsteady legs. Instead, he wraps his arm around my waist and pins me to his side.

Silently, he leads me back to his rental car and opens the passenger door for me.

Reluctantly, I allow him to deposit me into the seat before he closes the door and takes a step back.

He doesn’t immediately join me. Instead, he looks up to the sky, almost as if he’s praying.

I’m struck with a bolt of anxiety. Surely, he’s not already regretting this.

But then his gaze drops. His eyes find mine before lowering to my lips as his hand moves to his crotch.

My attention follows, and I find him hard and ready against the tight fabric.

My mouth runs dry and desire rushes through my veins.

I need him.

With a wicked smirk playing on his lips, he finally walks around the front of the car and joins me.

“Problem?” I taunt.

“Temptress,” he groans. “You have no idea how hard it’s been.”

I can’t help it—I bark out a laugh as he backs out of the space and sets the GPS to our address.

I cringe all over again, remembering that he’s now witnessed the part of my life I try to keep as far away as possible from my new one.

Sensing that I’m freaking out, he reaches over and takes my hand.

“I don’t care, Lorelei. Stop worrying,” he says, lifting my hand to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. “This place, it doesn’t change you. If anything, it only proves how strong you really are.”

“I hate it,” I confess. “My brothers are the only good thing about it.”

“And they’ll be done soon. All of you can put it behind you, if that’s what you want.”

“It’s what I want,” I say without missing a beat. “I’ve saved every single cent I can to make sure it happens for them. Wilder will hopefully get a scholarship, but Hendrix…”

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