Page 49 of Shadow and Skulls

“Anytime you want to stop, you tell me,” he continues.

“Okay,” I agree while I reach behind my back, my fingers fumbling for the clasp of my bra. In one flick, it falls to the floor.

His eyes remain on mine, and I love the way there is no struggle in that for him. They are firmly on my face. “May I touch you?”

There’s no way to explain the way in which my heart leaps for joy. Because he doesn’t just mean that physically. He’s not even going to take privilege in the view of my body without mypermission. I knew this type of man existed. I know because I’ve lived with three of them. But I never dreamed I would find one for myself. I was going to settle for Jason. Why did I not love myself enough to wait for what I knew was possible?

Because that Kelsie wasn’t being real with herself.

“Yes.”

I expect him to step toward me, but he remains in place as his eyes painstakingly fall down my body. He doesn’t stop until he reaches my toes, and then they slowly make their way back up.

“Are you comfortable with me removing these?” He snaps the band on his boxers, wincing at the sting.

It makes me giggle and drop my gaze to the floor. I give him a shy nod, then take a deep breath when he kicks his boxers to the side.

“Can I touch?” I ask quietly, my gaze still locked on the floor.

“You have permission to touch me for the rest of my life.”

A smile pulls at the corners of my mouth. “I hope my dad doesn’t shorten that.”

“Me too,” he chuckles. But he doesn’t sound worried at all, even though he’s literally risking his life right now. Surely, he knows that.

“Are you certain you want to do this?” I ask, my fingertips lightly trailing over the top of my panties. I still haven’t allowed myself to look at him. I’m not that brave yet. Maybe that’s the real reason he’s going so slow. He’s giving me time to back out.

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

I close the distance between us, standing in front of him, staring at his bare feet. Even those are sexy. Hesitantly, I slide my panties down my legs and kick them off the tip of my toe. He grabs me by my shoulders before I can press myself against him.

“But with that said, we don’t have to do this right now. There’s no need to rush. I’ll wait for you.”

My resolve to do this gives me the courage to finally look him in the eye. “I don’t want to wait,” I say, threading my fingers in his beard. Slowly, I pull his face toward mine. “Don’t hold back. I need you to show me something better than what I’ve been shown.”

He steps away from me, placing his arm straight out between us. He rolls his head on his shoulders. “Do you promise to stop me even if you’re slightly uncomfortable?” he asks, holding himself in check as he waits for my response.

“Yes,” I answer, raising my chin confidently.

His eyes fall closed, and when they open, I take a step back.Oh, oh god. I hope I’m ready for this.

His hands reach for me, running through my hair, and tugging at my scalp gently. That’s all it takes to shut my thoughts off. My head falls back as the warmth of his mouth descends on the sensitive spot where my shoulder and neck meet. His beard chaffs lightly over my skin.

Not once does he rush as his fingers and mouth explore my body. “Tank,” I whisper his name in desperation when he pulls away from me.

He takes my hand and guides me toward the bed. Our movements are fluid, perfectly synchronized as he helps me to lie back against the cool sheets as if we’ve done this a hundred times.

He sits near my feet, watching me writhe with need over his sheets. I’d be embarrassed if I wasn’t so in awe of how good I feel in this moment. I need more … I want more, and I want him to see that. His hand begins to move between his legs as he stares at me. My heart skips a beat as I gather the courage to lower my eyes and watch him. He groans out loud when my gaze drops to his hand as if that alone brings him pleasure.

He continues his lazy pace, watching me watch him. My feet slowly slide up the bed. I look away from him, slightly embarrassed, and allow my knees to fall apart.

Oh god. I …

“You’re so beautiful,” he says, pulling my attention back to him. “Do you want to touch yourself?” he asks while continuing to pleasure himself.

“No. I want you to touch me,” I answer honestly.

His free hand begins at my ankle, his knuckles teasing over my skin before the heat of his palm moves up my leg. When he reaches the sensitive spot at the juncture of my thigh, he pulls his hand away and sinks his fingers into his mouth, wetting them. God, that’s hot, but my eyes fall closed as I anxiously await his touch. My heart races; my pulse pounds in my neck.Touch me.

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