Page 114 of The Keeper

“I fucking hate maybes,” he growled, sealing our mouths together on a searing slash of want and need. The feel of him was like gasoline in my blood. His hands on me. His possessive kisses.

I missed this. Craved this. Needed this.

I buried my hands in his hair. His deep groan vibrated in my mouth, throwing more fuel on the bonfire burning within me. He murmured something unintelligible against my lips when he pulled away.

I shivered when he kissed down my neck. I felt him smile before he kissed it again. “I love that you have no control over how you react to me. Lets me know exactly what you’re feeling.”

“Is that important to you?” I asked, staring into his eyes. “To know what I’m feeling?”

A slight restlessness moved through him. “Yes.”

“I always assumed I was hard to read.”

He shook his head. “Only because the wrong people were looking.” His piercing blue eyes focused solely on me as his hand softly collared the base of my throat, his fingers caressing my skin. “Thank you for letting me intrude on your night unannounced. I was afraid you’d have a date or something.”

I couldn’t stop the smile from commandeering my lips if I wanted. His flirtatious arrogance charmed me.

“I love it when you smile.”

“I love it when you touch me like this,” I said, resting my hand over his. “Makes me feel like I’m yours.”

The hungry glint I enjoyed seeing so much returned to his eyes. Something animalistic and possessive burned bright underneath all the control he’d been displaying.

“You are.” His fingers pressed into my skin. “You have been since I saw you on the side of the road.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” A low, deep rumble vibrated through his chest. “No more sitting in random laps.”

“You said that already.”

“And I’ll keep saying it. No more sitting in random laps.”

“It was just a picture. Nothing more.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” His voice was low, silky.

“Alright, that’s enough,” I pulled away and put my hands on my hips. “I like your little bossy side but stop being ridiculous.”

Something snapped awake in him. His eyes darkened. “Little bossy side, huh?” He felt around to the back of my skirt and unzipped it. “Take this off.”

I didn’t move. I just folded my arms and stared at him.

“Now, Victoria.” His tone had the same dark, imminent edge as the night he introduced me to patio sex. I liked this tone. And gauging by the look on his face, so did he. I let the skirt drop to the floor and waited.

“What’s his name?”

“Who?”

One eyebrow arched up. I stared at him for a beat. Oh, I see. He wants to play this game.

“Noah.”

A flash of recognition registered on his face.

“Noah? The one who asked about your sister’s charity?”

“Yes.”

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