Page 69 of The Acquisition

"Is that my only option?"

I tried to grab the key myself, but one of my arms was trapped against his hard chest, and the other couldn't reach around both of us to get it out.

Frustrated, I stopped trying. "We're at an impasse. Just put me down."

"Mmm, no. I can think of a better idea." With little effort, he flipped me until I was draped over his shoulder, and he slapped my ass. "While you're back there, go on and get the key."

While the blood rushed to my head I dug the key out of his pocket. He took it from my hand and opened the door.

Once inside, he slowly lowered me to the floor so that my body slid across his. My hands stayed on his chest, and I could feel the hard build of muscle under my hands. Our eyes met and held, and I could see the warring emotions as the gold overwhelmed the green in his eyes.

His hands slid up my arms until they reached my shoulders. For a long moment we watched each other. We'd reached a crossroads, or at least I had. What we did next would determine the future of our relationship.

I could choose to push him away. I could throw his past relationship in his face as an excuse and protect my heart. At this point, though, we were both in too deep. There was only one real choice.

TWENTY-SIX

COLTER

Ilooked into her eyes and the wariness I usually saw there was gone. Maybe it was my own hope reflecting back at me.

"Are you mine, Jana?"

She stepped back, wrapped her arms around her middle, and slowly met my eyes again. Her arms fell to her sides, and I watched as she unfurled, opening to me, to us.

"Yes. I'm yours, Colt."

I didn't need more words. The only conversation we needed was touch, and soft whimpers of pleasure.

There was doubt still lingering between us, but it was on my end this time. The sadness I saw on Amelia's face would haunt me. I had no idea I'd hurt her so much. The fact that I could have that kind of impact on another person rattled me. So many things could go wrong when you entangled your life with another person’s.

I didn't want that look to ever grace Jana's face. Not if I could stop it, and I especially didn't want to be the cause of it.

"Prove it," I challenged her. My thoughts needed to be redirected back to the woman in front of me. Jana was my anchor, and I was done drifting through life.

She turned her back on me and swept her hair over her shoulder. Jana turned her head. "A little help."

Slowly, I tugged the pull of the zipper down. Her dress gaped open, revealing the porcelain skin underneath. Jana turned in my embrace. One arm held her dress up to her chest.

I heard the material brush against her body as it fell to the ground, but my eyes didn't look away from her face. All I wanted to see was the emotion playing all over her face. Hans had said he could tell we loved each other. I didn't dare to hope she was starting to fall for me, until now.

"Beautiful," I whispered.

"You aren't even looking at me."

I tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "All I see is you."

Jana stepped out of her dress, and I finally allowed my eyes to take her in. Down to the swells of her breasts encased in see through white lace, past the smooth skin of her stomach, over the flare of her hips, and along the mile-long length of her legs until my eyes landed on the strappy heels on her narrow feet.

"These stay on," I ordered.

She licked her bottom lip and reached for my belt. "Fine, but this comes off."

We both yanked at my clothes until I was as naked as she was. I wanted to give her sweet. Touch her the way she deserved. Worship her. Jana deserved that, but unfortunately for her I was not a sweet man.

She'd always get a little bit of dirty from me, but worship I could do. I pulled her legs over my shoulders, running my hands up the smooth expanse of her legs. My lips repeated the path.

The beast inside me took over as the scent of her hit my nose, warm vanilla and arousal. I nipped at the skin near the crease of her thigh and soothed the sting with my tongue.

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