Page 15 of Untamed Crow

Emma's hands come up to rest on my chest, and the simple touch is almost my undoing.

"So maybe," she says, looking up at me through those long lashes, "we should stop worrying about what others think and focus on what we want."

I want to scoop her up, carry her to bed, and rip that pretty dress off her. Want to mark every inch of her virgin skin as mine. Want to show her exactly what she's been asking for.

But she deserves better than that. Deserves to be cherished, not ravaged. At least for her first time.

"Emma," I manage, my voice barely recognizable. "If you don't want this to go further tonight, you need to step back now. Because I'm about ten seconds away from-"

"From what?" she challenges, pressing closer. "Tell me, Crow. What are you going to do to me?"

"Doll," I warn, my hands moving to her hips. "Don't tease me. Not about this."

"I'm not teasing." Her fingers trail up my chest to my collar. "I'm asking. Tell me, please.”

I growl, spinning us so she's trapped between me and the counter.

"You want to know what I'm going to do?" My voice is rough, dangerous. "I'm going to take you to that bedroom and peel this dress off you inch by fucking inch. Going to kiss every bit of skin I uncover until you're begging for more."

Her breath hitches, but there's no fear in her eyes. Just heat and trust that makes my blood burn.

"Then I'm going to teach you what real pleasure feels like. Show you why those romance novels of yours are just pale imitations of the real thing." I lean down, my lips brushing her ear. "Going to make you come so many times you forget every name but mine."

She shivers, her hands fisting in my shirt. "Vincent..."

My name. My real name. Coming out of her mouth, it feels like heaven.

"But first," I pull back enough to meet her eyes, needing her to understand. "First, I need to hear you say it. I need to know you're sure. Because once I start, Emma, I won't be able to stop."

"I don't want you to stop," she whispers, and the last thread of my control unravels.

"Say it," I demand, my grip on her hips tightening. "Tell me what you want."

Her cheeks flush pink, but her voice is steady when she says, "I want you, Crow. All of you. Everything you promised and more."

"And tomorrow?" I press. "When you wake up sore and marked as mine? When the reality of being with a man like me sets in?"

"Then I'll still want you." She rises on her tiptoes, bringing her lips a breath away from mine. "I'll always want you."

That does it. With a growl, I lift her onto the counter, stepping between her thighs. One hand tangles in her hair while the other keeps her steady.

"Last chance to run, doll."

Her answer is to wrap her legs around my waist and pull me closer. "I'm not going anywhere."

The sight of her, legs wrapped around me, dress hiked up her thighs - it's better than any fantasy I've had. And I've had plenty.

"Beautiful," I murmur, running my hand up her thigh. Her skin is soft, perfect. "Been dreaming about this. About you."

She shivers under my touch. "How long?"

"Years." I lean in, brushing my lips along her jaw. "Since that first day at the garage, when you walked in wearing that little sundress. Wanted to bend you over my bike right there."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because you deserve better than that." I kiss down her neck, feeling her pulse race under my lips. "Deserve to be worshipped. Cherished." My teeth graze her skin. "Claimed."

"Please," she whimpers, pressing closer.

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