Page 31 of The Pretender

Harris made a face. “Are you ready to pick up the conversation where we left off earlier?”

Man, he was not getting this situation at all. Could he really not read her mood? She was all but sitting in his lap.

For a second she worried she was the only one who felt this head-spinning buzz of attraction. It swamped her. He talked and she watched his mouth. He stared at her and her heartbeat sped to a gallop.

“Actually?” She slid off the armrest. One knee landed on the cushion next to his thigh. She kept going until she straddled his lap, facing him. Not the smoothest move, but it put her where she wanted to be. “No.”

He frowned at her. “What are you doing?”

So much for subtlety.

She trailed her fingers up his chest to the base of his neck then over his shoulders. “I want to do something other than talk this evening.”

“Gabby?”

Short of feeling him up through his faded jeans she wasn’t sure what she needed to do to get her point across. “Harris, please catch up faster than this.”

His eyes widened. “Is this a pass?”

Good grief, the man was off tonight. “You can’t tell?”

He still hadn’t touched her. She was practically grinding on him and he sat perfectly still with his hands resting on the couch, so close to her thighs.

“Gabby, look.” He slowly shook his head. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

That was sweet in a wow-you’re-not-getting-this kind of way. She cupped his jaw in her palm, let her thumb skim along that perfect jaw and all that sexy stubble. “I’mcoming on toyou.”

“And you’re here, on this island, where it’s hard for you to—”

“Harris?” She put a finger over his lips. “Shut up.”

She lowered her mouth until it hovered just above his. Before their lips met, he took over. Strong hands landed on the sides of her waist. With a sexy little tug, he pulled her closer. Then he kissed her.

This wasn’t a quick get-to-know-you peck. No, he dove in. Controlled and devoured. His lips crossed over hers with a mouth warm and inviting. It was the kind of kiss that pulled her in and sucked her under. Her mind went blank and her body hummed. The need to curl up in him and drag their bodies even closer rocked her.

When she finally lifted her head, all she could think was,Damn, the man could kiss. He tasted like he looked—inviting... intoxicating.

His hands roamed over her back then slipped to her waist again. His hips cradled hers.

“Shit.” He brushed his forehead against her cheek. “I feel like I’d be a dick if I didn’t try to put the brakes on here.”

His words said one thing but his hands did another. Even as he talked about breaking apart, his fingers went to work on the buttons of her shirt. He had three open and his warm palm rested against her chest with his fingers sliding under the seam of her bra.

Lower. She needed that hand to move lower, for him to really touch her. All of her.

“Do you want to stop?” If he said yes, she silently vowed to dropkick him into the Bay.

“Fuck no.” He whispered the words against her neck.

That deep voice vibrated against her, blocking out any ounce of doubt. Her fingers slipped into his hair and she held him there. Tried to find her breath as his tongue swept over her skin.

“I told you I’ve been numb.” She fought to say the words as his mouth traveled along her collarbone. Her whole body shivered at the contact. “Tonight I want to feel something. With you.”

He lifted his head and stared at her. His gaze searched her face, but just for a second. Heat flashed in his eyes as he wrapped her tight against him and started falling. He turned her in midair and she landed under him with her back on the couch cushions. She had no idea how gravity or inertia hadn’t taken them tumbling down to the floor except that he was in control. Full control.

He lifted up on his elbows and ducked his head to kiss her again. She melted even faster this time. That mouth knew how to take and when to retreat. And when his tongue swept against hers, her brain blitzed out on her.

His body covered hers and the heat pulsed between them. She shifted her legs to make room for him between her thighs as her hand skimmed down his back. Every muscle, every line, was perfect. His body was lean, and when he covered her, she felt anchored for the first time in a long time. Safe yet desperate for more.

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