Page 49 of Bound

But I shove that down, clamp a lid onto the jealously, the rage at the thought of another man touching, stroking,lovingher.

“I’m here because I want to be,” I tell her. “I’m here because I’m lucky enough that you agreed to let me take you out. I’m here because”—I cup her jaw, tilt her head up so our gazes are aligned—“you’re wonderful, kitty cat, and I’m desperate to spend time with you, as little or as much as you’ll give me.”

I get to watch the beauty that appears in her eyes at my words.

Not the disbelief from when we talked in that empty room.

Not the edge of surprise and uncertainty that’s been clinging to her irises all day long.

Not the hurt from my sharp words and asshole behavior, doing my fucking best to push her away.

This is…

As though I’ve peeled the layers back and managed a glimpse of the woman beneath.

A confident, beautiful woman who’s maybe finally begun to understand how truly wonderful she is.

A gorgeous, sexy woman who trails a hand down my chest, allows her body to sink against mine.

A stunning, amazing woman who shocks the shit out of me by grabbing two fistfuls of my hair and…

Kissing me senseless.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Claire

I…

Well, fuck it.

Has my life pivoted on its ear in the last twenty-four hours?

Yup.

Am I ready to start rolling with it?

Also…

Yup.

Which is why I stop listening to the voices in my head, grab two fistfuls of Jackson’s hair, and bring my mouth to his.

All day he’s been so close. All day I’ve wanted to touch him, to taste him, to feel this.

A spark turning into flames.

My body instantly tap-dancing on the edge of control, flaring with heat and need and the understanding that I’m desperate for something I’ve never experienced anywhere but my bedroom—alone.

I want Jackson’s hard body pressing me into my mattress, want his rough hands stroking over my skin, want him pushing inside me and?—

He tears his mouth from mine, chest heaving, eyes burning, hands on my waist. “Really, kitty cat?”

My lips are tingling, along with every nerve in my body, it seems. “I’m desperate to spend time with you too.”

Silence falls between us—tense and filled with emotion and then he’s groaning and wrapping his arms around me, dropping his mouth to mine, kissing me until I can’t breathe, can’t think, can’t do anything but hold on…

And kiss him back.

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