Page 20 of Marking Micah

He straightened up and ran his palms over her once more, but this time they ran over her stomach, then her thighs, and her body was lighting up like mad. She even wished she had less clothing on, she was so eager to feel his hands on her skin.

Her scarred skin.

She felt her body go rigid, and he obviously noticed, too.

“Relax, Micah. Do you need to do some more breathing? You can answer me.”

“I… I don’t know.”

“What made you tense up just then? Are you anticipating what will happen?”

“No, I… no. Maybe? I just… can I ask you if… you plan to take my clothes off tonight?”

“I don’t plan to, no. Tonight I’m playing it all by ear, as I said earlier. I’ll do what I think you’re ready for while pushing you a little. Not a lot. I know you’re not ready to reveal yourself to me. Not at this very moment, anyway. But we’ll see. You need to do your best not to worry about it. I know it’s hard, but you can do it.”

“I’ll try.”

“Good girl.”

Of course those words sent a shiver through her, and she knew her desire for him would help her through this. As long as she kept it under control.

Submission is all about giving up control.

Yes. But she wasn’t about to fuck things up because she needed him to touch her so badly it was already a deep ache between her thighs.

Stop thinking so much!

She drew in a deep breath, then another, and tried to refocus, tried to let go of the need to be in control. And reminded herself that wasn’t likely to happen tonight, anyway.

He started to stroke her body again: her stomach, the undersides of her extended arms, then down her sides, a bit more firmly so it wouldn’t tickle. Then he ran his big hands down the outside of her thighs, and she wanted so badly to press them together. But even though her ankles weren’t bound, she didn’t dare do it.

But when he stroked the front of her thighs, then added a bit of pressure as he smoothed his palms upward, her entire body clenched, her hips rising off the table before she could stop herself.

“Ahh…” she moaned.

“Shit,” he said quietly.

Oh no! Had she fucked up already?

She watched his face through a haze of nerves and need and self-doubt, saw the shadows pass over his handsome features before he pressed his lips into a hard, thin line. Then with a groan, he leaned in and kissed her.

CHAPTER 6

His lips were so damn soft, softer than she’d ever imagined. He pressed hard at first, then as she let out a small gasp, he did it again, but softer this time. And she had the absolute sense that it had taken him by surprise as much as it had her.

His hand went into her hair, then slipped down to cup her cheek, and she melted all over, just a hot pool of sensation as her heart tried to beat right out of her chest.

Was this really happening?

Oh, God, please don’t stop.

He breathed into her mouth, his breath warm against her lips, and she lifted her head the tiniest bit, needing to let him know it was okay, that she wanted him. Needed him.

When he pulled back, she looked into his dark eyes, and they were glittering with emotion. He gave a slight shake of his head, pulled back another few inches, then he stood up and ran a hand over his hair.

“Arrow. Sir…”

“Fuck. I didn’t mean to rush that,” he said.

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