Page 66 of A Whole New Play

“Let me.”

I look over my shoulder. The door behind Carter clicks closed right as he falls to one knee and wraps a large hand around my slender ankle.

I suck in a breath at the contact. My core clenches with want as I watch the broad, muscular man bend his head and start to work the delicate buckle free.

I wobble and shift my stance, placing my other hand on Carter’s shoulder to steady myself as my foot rests just above his knee. The handsome rogue turns his head to kiss my wrist before shooting me a wink and returning to his task.

I don’t need any foreplay. Everything Carter does primes me for a night of rolling around in the sheets, savoring every inch of his rock-hard body and gentle touch.

Seconds later, the heel is removed. I lower my foot to the floor. Carter wastes no time in picking up the other. This buckle is easier to loosen. He slides the heel off, kissing my ankle, before setting my foot on the ground. Then, Carter lifts his head, and my breath catches at the flames of desire flickering in his warm brown eyes.

Slowly, he stands.

My heartbeat quickens as my hand slides down as he unfurls his body. When he stops, my palm rests over his left pec. I feel his racing heart beneath my fingers.

“Better?” His voice is smooth as melted chocolate.

I lick my lips and nod. “Yes.”

Carter zeroes in on my mouth. The flames grow brighter. “This is your last chance, Valerie,” he says in a deep, panty-dropping timbre. “Say you don’t want this to happen, and I’ll walk right out that door without a fight.”

NO.

That’s the last thing I want.

“Or,” he continues, taking a step closer so my hand is trapped between our chests. He cups the side of my face and gazes at me with so much want that it’s hard to believe this isn’t a dream.

“Or?” I prompt, breathless.

“Or you let me kiss you and fuck you the way I’ve been picturing ever since the morning you snuck out of my hotel room.”

Option two! I pick option two.

I slide my hand free and lace my fingers around the back of Carter’s strong neck. His thumb caresses my cheek.

I rise on my toes and bring my mouth to his ear. “I think you should kiss me now, Jones.”

He growls in approval. “With pleasure, Palmer.”

20

VALERIE

Desire, thick and heady, consumes me from the inside out when I register Carter’s growled words just before his strong lips capture mine.

I’ve never wanted anyone this badly

No. This isn’t want.

This is need.

I haven’t been with anyone since that night at the resort. I’d told myself it was because I was busy. I was in the middle of figuring out how to quit my job and what to do with the rest of my life. Otherwise, I would’ve totally enjoyed a casual fling here and there whenever I had a particular itch I couldn’t scratch on my own.

But as Carter’s strong mouth ravishes me and his calloused hands knead and caress my hips and ass, leaving fiery handprints in their wake, I admit that was all a lie.

It wasn’t that I was too busy to hook up with someone—it was that the only person I wanted to hook up with was a stranger I’d left behind after our one mind-blowing night together.

More than once, I’d regretted not giving Carter my number before I snuck out of his room.

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