Page 24 of Oz Wisdom

Still, Taylor felt that sleep wasn't an option yet. Or maybe she was afraid to sleep. No matter the reason, she eased back into the room, stopping at the window. She adjusted the drape just enough to see through the glass. Past the lights lining the parking lot, total darkness covered the view she had fallen in love with. Headlights from a brave night traveler flashed along a mountainside in the distance. She spotted another glow. This one steady. A home, she decided. Maybe someone arriving home after a late work shift.

“Taylor.”

She spun toward Oz. “I didn’t intend to wake you.”

“You’ve been tossing and turning since shortly after lying down.”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“Light sleeper. I’m resting but I can still hear you,” Oz explained.

“Oh.” Great. Now he’ll be tired tomorrow because of me.

“Come here.”

Taylor slowly raised her attention back across the room toward Oz. He had scooted backward and now held the covers up from the mattress next to him.

“Come get in,” he told her again.

Any rebuttal she may have had disappeared through the window at the sound of Oz’s voice. She slipped into bed next to him, immediately being pulled flush to his lean, hardened body.

“What’s this?” he asked, running his hand down the front of her shirt between them.

“I thought the water might help me relax,” she whispered.

“You can’t sleep in wet clothes.”

Oz slid his hand down her side, gripping the hem of her oversized shirt and sliding it up her body. Slowly, his knuckles caressed her skin ever so lightly. She knew she should stop him. Because if she didn’t, she’d want more. And she did try to pretest as it rose higher and higher. As his touch burned hotter and hotter. At least she did in her mind. But his voice was mesmerizing and his touch so gentle she was helpless to resist.

Oz’s palm was warm against her back, pressing her body to his. His long beard tickled her face where it touched. Without thought, she reached for it, combing her fingers through the length of it. A bit rough, but in a good way.

She glanced up. Even in the darkness she recognized the intensity in his darkened eyes. Smoldering. A look she felt deep in her core.

He circled her waist, pulling her up until their lips met. A feather-light kiss at first before his tongue darted across her bottom lip, sending shivers through her body. He pressed another gentle kiss to her lips.

Her skin tingled under his wandering touches. Every motion was thorough and persuasive. Oz was in no hurry. Slow and gentle, he fondled one breast then the other until she feared her pebbled nipples could take no more.

Taylor soon found herself on her back. She twisted her fingers in his hair, hypnotized by his tongue on her. She squirmed beneath him, begging for him to take her.

“Mm uh,” Oz murmured around her nipple. “We have all night.”

All night. Taylor shivered, a crescendo building inside she thought may erupt at any moment.

Oz slid up her body. His beard pulling those rock-hard pebbles tighter than she thought possible with its caress.

“Don’t hold back.” His breath warmed her ear and neck. “Because I plan to take my time on every beautiful inch of you.”

Taylor shivered, digging her fingertips into his back. A moan escaped her, and Oz rose above her staking his claim and sending waves of ecstasy rippling through her.

All night? Taylor couldn’t say as she drifted to sleep in Oz’s arms. All she could attest to was the fact that Oz was true to his word, sending her over the edge time and time again until he finally collapsed beside her.

Chapter 12

Taylor stood at the end of the bed. She slid the two books from Oz on top of her clothes and zipped it shut. He was so sweet to sign the books and give them to her. Her fingers stilled where they were wrapped around the handle of her bag. Oz had been good to her. He was what she had envisioned a boyfriend to be. And last night. She closed her eyes. She could feel his hand gliding over her skin again. The feel of his hard body against hers. The taste of his lips.

"Ready to go?" Oz asked.

She gasped. When did he walk in? Was she ready? Not really. Anxious? Absolutely. As much as she needed to trust her family as she got back on her feet, she feared she was wasting her time.

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