Page 93 of Stuck with Mr. Grump

“So, what do you say?”

She bites down on her bottom lip, the look in her eyes suddenly fearful. My brows furrow.

“I’m going to say yes, Sterling. Because I want to. I want to say yes to everything with you. I just can’t say it yet.”

“Why not?”

“I’ll tell you in the morning. And you’re probably going to be angry at me. But I can’t hold it off any longer.”

I cock my head to the side, confused. “Tell me now.”

“No. Tonight has been so perfect. I don’t want to ruin it. Please, Sterling.”

Conflict simmers within me but the pleading look she throws my way dulls the edge. At least she didn’t reject me. I have no idea what she could have possibly done to make me angry, but I guess I’ll find out in the morning.

“Alright, angel. Do you want to dance?”

She nods eagerly, her smile returning. We both stand and I extend my hand toward her without a word. She slips herdelicate fingers into mine. The contact is electric, igniting a spark that spreads warmth from my hand to my entire being.

We step away from the table, finding a small open space where the soft music from a distant speaker plays. As we begin to sway, I can’t help but notice how perfectly she fits against me. Her head tilts slightly as she listens to the rhythm, her eyes closed in quiet reverie.

I’m acutely aware of every detail, the rise and fall of her chest, the soft pressure of her hand on my arm. Time slows, leaving us in a delicate bubble that I’m hoping never shatters. I guide her through the dance, each step measured and tender. My thoughts swirl with the memories of all our past encounters, I think about how hard we tried to fight something that seems so easy and right.

When her eyes flutter open, they meet mine with a vulnerability that takes my breath away. Because I never imagined Emilia Cameron would let herself be vulnerable around anyone. I lean in closer, our foreheads almost touching, and for a moment the world falls away entirely. Every breath, every heartbeat seems amplified, echoing a silent promise of a future together.

My hand finds its way to the small of her back, pulling her closer. The kiss is slow at first, tentative, a question posed in the language of desire. It deepens slowly, evolving into something more insistent, more passionate, a fusion of all the longing and restrained affection that’s built up between us.

I taste the familiar sweetness of her, my heart racing in my chest. I sink my fingers into her hair, my thumb digging into her cheek as I claim her lips. I kiss her with unbounded hunger, like I’ve never kissed anyone before.

My heart pounds with need as I desperately hold on to her. To the way she melts into my arms. She whimpers when I tug on her lips. Our tongues engage in an erotic dance, and I can feelEmilia’s hand trembling against my chest. My mouth devours hers for all the time I couldn’t.

The moment I wrench my lips from hers, she releases a sound, a disappointed breath that has me smiling. I peck her lips again, soft and quick.

“What do you say about going down to my room in the hotel?”

Her big green eyes are bright, filled with fierce adoration.

“Let’s go,” she breathes.

Electricity buzzes beneath my skin as I unlock the door into my suite. As soon as it clicks shut behind us, I’m grabbing Emilia. My entire body hums with need. For her. I push her back against the closed door, swooping in to taste her perfect lips. I kiss her so hard and for so long. Nothing else matters but us and this moment.

“This brings back memories, doesn’t it, angel?” I ask against her lips.

“Shut up,” she whispers back, sliding her tongue against mine.

All the blood inside of me rushes to my cock. I drag my teeth down the side of her throat, fueled by her moans. I lift her and she immediately wraps her legs around my waist. Her hips rock toward me, her fingers in the back of my hair.

“I want to taste you, Emilia,” I murmur.

When I pull back, she looks unsteady and a lot desperate. I love this look on her.

“Okay,” she says softly.

I carry her across the hotel room with long, sure strides tossing her onto the bed. We pause for a second, her splayed out across the bed, while I stand entranced between her knees.

“You’re sure you want me to, angel?” I ask, undoing the first few buttons of my shirt, and taking off my jacket.

“I wouldn’t have said yes if I wasn’t,” she replies, eyes wide with desire.

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