Page 60 of The Luminosity of Loriana Harper

He did everything with such ease and grace. For such a tall man, he carried himself with surety.

Once they were both standing, however, he didn’t release her hand. Instead, he drew it to his lips, and he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

A chivalrous gesture that fit so perfectly with what she knew of him. A gentle man with a gentle soul.

He tugged her lightly, and she moved into his arms.

Their gazes caught and held—he looking down and she up. A moment suspended in time as she tried to figure out what he was thinking. Yes, she’d invited him in. But they hadn’t talked specifics. Hadn’t set parameters. Hadn’t defined this—whatever this was.

In other words, she had to make the first move. She cupped his chin with both her hands and drew him to her.

His arms twined around her waist as he allowed himself to be pulled in. His eyes drifted shut as their lips touched.

No tentativeness this time—she nipped his bottom lip, and he opened for her. She thrust her tongue inside and demanded admittance. Demanded reciprocity. Demanded surrender. And while she made these demands, she began to yield. When he pulled her closer, she melted against him. When his hands roamed up and down her back, she pressed her breasts against his chest. When he ground his cock against her, she arched into the pressure.

God, I want him. Like, now.

Logistics came to mind. Make out on the sofa? Drag him to her bed? Was that being too forward or prudent? She had a box of condoms in her nightstand. She didn’t have many male companions over, but she enjoyed being prepared. Heck, had the condoms expired? It’d been a while since she checked.

Mitch pulled back and pressed a kiss to her forehead. His harsh breathing seeped into her as it matched her own. “I want you.”

“And I want you.” Seemed simple enough. “Will you come to my bed?”Bold enough?

He pulled back and tipped her chin up so their gazes met. “I’d like that. But…”

“But…?”

“Maybe not all the way on the first date?”

That level of chivalry startled her. She rarely made calculations like that. Sometimes she went to bed on the first date, sometimes it was the sixth, and sometimes it was never.

“If you’re not ready, there’s no hurry.”

He winced. “I didn’t bring a condom.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing I have some.”

His pupils dilated.

“We twenty-first century women have learned to keep up with the times.”

“And I’m grateful—not all women would have the foresight.”

Yes, she doubted Marnie kept condoms in her nightstand.

She grasped his hand. “Come with me.” She gave Plato one long look. “Stay.”

The cat stuck his nose in the air.

Mitch chuckled. “Do cats actually obey commands?”

“Well, I guess we’ll find out.” She tugged him toward her bedroom. “Because he’s a dead kitty if he scratches my door.” She needn’t worry on that score. Plato simply sat outside the door and yowled like the world was coming to an end. Well, to some cats, the feeling of hunger meant the end of the world.

As they passed the bathroom, Mitch pointed.

She nodded, releasing his hand. As soon as he disappeared, she scurried into the bedroom.

Undress? Under the covers? Tactfully nude like a Rubenesque painting? She had a toned body, and didn’t mind showing it off, but was that appropriate?

---