Page 45 of Eight Steps to Alpha

He cleared his throat. “And how does one know she wants it or not?”

“Well…you ask her… without saying the words.”

“And why can’t I say the words?”

“Because it’s not as romantic.”

She looked up at him, and stole all the air right out of his chest. She’d never admit it to anyone, but Fe wanted a knight in shining armor. She wanted someone strong, and daring, to sweep her off her feet, and surrender their love.

“And how does one ask, without asking?” He raised one brow, but couldn’t stop himself from grinning. Fe made no sense. She was a bundle of contradictions, but lord she made him smile.

She whipped her hair over one shoulder, and faced him. “Well… first you have to wait until the timing is right.”

“And how does one know when the timing is right?”

She grinned, then took one finger, and ran it down his bicep. “Because she’ll find a way to touch you, for no reason at all.” She stepped closer. “Or she’ll stand close, leaving hardly any space for you to move.” Her arm brushed the side of his body as she stepped directly in front of him. “But mostly, you can just feel it. Like an energy pulling you together.”

His face hardened, and his heart hammered against his chest. What was she doing?

His stance widened, but he didn’t listen to the small voice that told him it was time to go to bed. That told him she was drunk, that things had gone too far already. Instead, he stayed exactly where he was, and didn’t move a muscle. “And then what?”

She shrugged. “You ask.” She stared into his eyes. “Without asking.”

He bit his lip, and shook his head. “You’re too much.”

She laughed. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Then show me.” He knew as soon as the words crossed his lips it was a bad idea, but he couldn’t wish them back. Maybe it was the alcohol, or the fact she was joking with him again for the first time in a long while, but he didn’t want this moment to end. Not now.

She pursed her lips, lifted her shoulder, then stepped backward. “The first thing you do, is move toward her and see if she backs away…”

He smiled, then took a hesitant step, but stopped. “And if she doesn’t?”

“With more confidence.” She urged him. Then she licked her lips, and he couldn’t force himself to look away.

His jaw flexed, and he took another step, but this time, it was large enough to close any remaining distance between them.

She glanced up to his Adams apple. “Like that.” She swallowed. “You should do it just like that, every time.”

“Yeah?” His breath was coming faster now, but he didn’t move away.

“Yeah,” she whispered.

She looked into his eyes, hers the color of alfalfa baked in the sun, as she wobbled slightly on her legs. She grabbed his arm, pulling herself closer to him until she burred her face into his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her, resisting the urge to bury his nose in her hair. “You okay, Fe?” he whispered.

She nodded, her voice low and breathy, as she looked up at him. “This is where you kiss her, Elliot,” she pleaded. “Hurry up, before the moment ends.” Her gaze moved from his eyes down to his lips, like she was daring him to take her, telling him that he’d already done the asking, and now was time to take what he wanted.

He moved his hand up her arm, to her cheek, then back, until he gently fisted the hair at her nape, tugging it gently until a small moan escaped her mouth. He angled his face just above hers, and waited. For a second, two. Any indication she didn’t want this, anything at all—but there was nothing. He was asking. Begging for her to turn him away, but she didn’t. He covered her mouth with his, firmly, because he was having a hard time holding himself back, but eventually their kiss softened, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

He’d intended for the kiss to be brief, to get what he’d been craving for months and be done with it, but her mouth opened slightly, practically inviting him in, and just like he remembered, she tasted sweeter than sugar.

His arms wrapped around her back, adding pressure until she came even closer. He then lifted her up, walked with her back to the counter, and set her bottom on the surface. She moaned as he stepped between her thighs, and his mouth slanted over hers. Their kiss softened, became almost searching. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, all he knew was that Fe had it. She had what he wanted, what he needed, and what made him feel whole. His heart started beating faster, harder. He knew he should move away, that he should end this madness, but he couldn’t. His hands trailed down her back, her perfect ass, and she arched her body forward, pressing her body even closer to his.

She fit perfectly against him, her breasts, her stomach, her legs, that were now wrapped around his waist. Her arms then cupped his shoulders, shifting herself even closer, reaffirming that there was in fact a God, because nothing on earth would feel this good otherwise. Her hands then trailed down his back, and she slipped her fingers under the cotton of his shirt. It was a simple touch, skin against skin, but it was enough for him to force his lips away, knowing things had already gone too far.

She immediately dropped her head to his shoulder and whispered. “Wow.” She smoothed her hands back over her hair. “Wow.”

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