Page 45 of The Twilight Theft

I’d have to move for us to do that. But I didn’t want to, not really. I wanted to stay there, warm from his body, the taste of the wine in my mouth, and his sandalwood and leather cologne fighting with the scent of the food. I wanted to believe he wanted me. That someone wanted me. “Bet you wish—”

“Screw this stupid dance.”

“We’re not dancing.”

“We’re dancing around each other.” He shifted one of his hands from the photograph to my back, encouraging me closer. That hand was so big on my waist. “I need to kiss you.”

I swallowed hard. What was I supposed to do? I was so far out of my league. I was a thief, not a con artist. My skills were in taunting and sneaking, but I damn well couldn’t lie or tell him I didn’t want the same thing. And I couldn’t sleep around. That was a leap I couldn’t take. It would ruin everything. “Need is an awfully strong word.”

“It is.” His breaths were deep and ragged. “I haven’t been able to think straight since I saw you at Gideon’s.”

“That must be difficult for you.”

“I’m always in control.” His hard cock pressed against my lower abdomen. This wasn’t an act. And it didn’t feel like it was about a kiss. Let alone a game. “Except around you.”

Chapter 18

Drew

Jayce’seyesflittedbackand forth, confusion washing over her. “What are you talking about?”

“You feel the same way, I can tell.”

“What if I say you’re reading too much into things?” She licked her lips, and it took every ounce of self-control not to follow her tongue with my thumb.

“Then you’d be lying.” I flexed my hand at the small of her back. This was a horrible idea. I should have stuck with the shower approach. We only needed to get through two more days. “And you’re not a convincing liar.”

“Why do you still have her photo here?”

“I thought I’d gotten rid of everything.” Cracking open a drawer behind her, I dropped the photo inside. Before the decorators did their magic, I’d cleansed Vanessa from the apartment. She must have brought it this morning, thinking she could weasel her way back in subliminally. I shut the drawer and ran my fingers over Jayce’s cheek, into her hair.

Her eyes fluttered closed, but her mouth tightened instead of opening for me. She didn’t even move her limbs from where she’d held the glass or the picture. “This is wrong, Drew.”

“Does it matter? We’re adults and we can do what we want.”

She laid one hand against my chest, the other explored my fingers on her back. “Then why haven’t you kissed me yet?”

“Because I’d never force myself on a woman who doesn’t want me.”

Her eyes opened, and she let out a half-laugh. “I doubt that happens often.”

Not the reaction I was looking for, but an invitation nonetheless. I dipped down, ghosting my lips along her cheekbone, wanting little more in the world than to please her. “What do you crave in a lover?”

Her breathing had picked up, and other than her lungs, she still barely moved. “Nothing.”

I breathed next to her ear. “You don’t like sex?”

She tilted her head so her cheek touched mine.

“Or is it me you don’t like?”

There was no way. Desire vibrated off her, as strong as the impossible energy she lived every second with. Something else held her back. Maybe it was Tanner, maybe it was someone else. But if she belonged to another man, she’d have said so.

“Just say yes, Jayce.” I caught my thumb around one of her fingers. “Let me touch you.”

“You already are.” Snarky responses were good. It meant she was settling into the idea of being with me.

“I want to touch more.” I rubbed my hard-on against her, doubling down on my words. “I want to touch everything.”

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