Page 36 of Body Shot

“Yes.” I don’t even hesitate. “But I don’t know how to navigate that with Hana.”

“What are your plans for tomorrow?”

“We’re going to Vizcaya in the morning and then Jungle Island the rest of the day. Johan and Sloane are coming too since they’ve never done it. Do you want to join us?” I probably should have asked Hana before extending the invitation, but if Johan and Sloane are going, it seems safe to assume I can add Anders. If not, I’ll apologize later.

“Yes.” This time he doesn’t hesitate, and I tilt up my face. His lips find mine, softly, gentle nibbles that leave me satisfied and breathlessly anxious for more at the same time.

He’s a big guy, six three to my five-foot five, and I like the way his warm, strong body fits around mine. When he hugs or kisses or touches me. When he brings one of his big hands around tocup my waist. His fingers skim my hip, and even with the barrier of my sundress between us, it warms me. For some reason, there’s no fear with Anders.

I trust him, and that says a lot.

We eat pizza and then Jordan got an acoustic guitar out of his car and starts to play. I’m surprised at how good his voice is and that he plays so well. He’s chosen soft rock songs, mostly oldies, like “Brandy” by Looking Glass, and though I’m focused on Anders’ kisses, the music provides a romantic background.

Jordan starts to play “The Air That I Breathe,” by the Hollies, and the melody warms me in a different way. Up until this moment, I was sure all things romance and romantic had somehow eluded me, but I was wrong.

I shift to give Anders a better angle with which to kiss me, and he slides his tongue between my lips. Our mouths work together easily now, as if we’d been kissing for much longer than two days.

“Do you trust me?” he asks against my mouth, his hands stilling.

“Of course.”

“I’m going to touch you, but I won’t cross your boundaries.”

“I really want you to keep touching me,” I admit.

I’m not sure how those words affect him, but his eyes darken and there’s a distinct intensity when he captures my lips for another kiss. His tongue is insistent, almost urgent, and there’s no mistaking the growing hardness against my backside. But it’s dark, and I’m sitting in front of him, so no one can see. And frankly, Decker and Eden have been making out like teenagers most of the day, so we’re not the only ones.

Anders slides his hand along my leg, slowly inching up the fabric of my dress.

Then his big, warm hand is on the bare skin of my thigh.

My heart rate kicks up a little, because it’s been five years since anyone other than a doctor or family member touched my thigh. There’s an element of nervousness, but mostly it’s excitement. Curiosity.Arousal.

Arousal?

Fuck. Have I ever been aroused like this?

Definitely not. Not even pre-Seth Crandall, before my hymen almost ruined my life.

He’s stroking my thigh along the outside, from my hip down to my knee. I’m wearing my bathing suit beneath the dress, and as promised, he’s staying away from places that are off limits. And yet, I’m almost disappointed. Fear and anxiety are taking a back burner to excitement and…wonder.

My breath hitches as he moves his hand to the inside of my thigh, soft, whisper-like flutters of his fingers, so close to a place I swore no one would ever touch again. But his tongue is doing something wonderful with mine, our mouths moving together in tandem. It’s a beautiful dance, filling me with heat and need and…passion. I don’t just want him to keep touching me—I need him to. It’s as simple as that.

Even though we’re essentially out in public.

Even though I know Hana is going to give me a ration of shit about it later.

Even though I know we’re going to have to stop long before I’m ready.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” His voice is a warm rumble against my ear. “Do you want me to stop?”

“N-no.”

“I know I can’t touch you in certain places…but can Italkabout touching you there? Are you willing to try a little dirty talk… about what I’d be doing if Icouldtouch you there?”

Dirty talk?

I’m twenty-four but feel about sixteen right now.

---