Page 209 of If Our Hearts Collide

“Maybe.”

My fingers grip her chin, careful not to squeeze too tightly, but rather just to hold her attention. “You want to crawl on your knees and have your hair yanked?”

I watch as her throat swallows, and I can’t tell if she’s turned on or appalled by my non-sugarcoated words. The truth in her eyes is that of expectation, longing, and desire.

Rolling her shoulders, she continues to untangle the knot of her halter top, finally making progress. Her silence is what unnerves me the most. I can’t tell what she’s thinking or how far she’ll go tonight. Sure, the theme of the evening is about pushing the boundaries, and I’m about to lose all of mine with her.

For someone who strives to be logical and consistent, my mind is racing right now with torrid thoughts as Penny’s halter top slides up over her curves and neck, revealing a strapless red and black bra.

Penny has never looked hotter.

And I’m going to bash in every guy’s face who happens to notice her seductive striptease.

She is mine.

We may not have a contract in place right now, but there is no way I’m allowing anyone else to take her home.

Maybe Penny is right that having an arrangement where we both get what we want—where I can control the situation—will be the best solution to scratch these itches that keep tormenting both of us. Perhaps at the end of the time frame, we go back to being professional—at least until her brothers trust her without a shadow. As long as Graham and Nic don’t find out, everything will be as if it never happened.

Why can’t we have our cake and eat it too?

Penny’s fingers slide to the button of her leather shorts and mine intercept hers to cause them to halt. Turning her around, I press my front to her back. I pull off my shirt, tossing it to the side where there are benches aligned against the outer perimeter of the viewing space. I join Penny’s warmth, moving my arms around her to squeeze her tightly to me. My fingers splay against her bare stomach, trying to conceal as much of her as I can with my own body.

Mine.

My mouth kisses at the side of her neck, down her arm, and then back up again.

The crowd around us fades like a moving wave that is getting farther in the distance. In this moment, it’s easy to get lost to the buzz of not-so-innocent touches, but I can’t help but fully submerse myself in Penny.

My fingers tease her belly button, as our hips sway side to side to the muffled music coming from the downstairs dance area. We move like the breeze, matching each other’s energies.

“They are so sexy,” she says with an exhale.

My eyes focus in on the people in the showcase room, stripping and dancing around ceiling-to-floor mounted poles. It’s erotic to be here with Penny in my arms, viewing the same scene and enjoying it with a new lens.

I’ve never gotten into scene observing, yet there’s something about sharing this with Penny that feels different than the dozens of times I’ve been here without her.

“You’re so sexy, Penny.”

She is on the verge of a sexual awakening, and I have the luxury of being a part of her journey. She is the forbidden fruit that I shouldn’t want, yet it’s everything I crave.

Slowly, I unbutton the top button of her shorts, and then the next one. Leaning her head back, Penny’s lips search for mine. Iunite with hers, sliding my tongue deep into her mouth, taking whatever she is willing to give—and a bit more.

Now that I already crossed one, I want to push all those boundaries. I want all of her.

Every single inch.

Sliding down the zipper, I work a hand into her skin-tight shorts, moving it lower and lower, until I can palm her lace-covered pussy.

And I do—hard.

“Yes,” she says breathily, leaning on me for support.

I rub upward, causing Penny to lift to her tiptoes to mirror the movement. Her body melts into mine, and I feel and smell the arousal trickling out of her and soaking into the fabric.

“Yes, Princess,” I coax, while massaging my free hand up over her bare stomach. “You like the feel of my hands on your body?”

Relaxing her stance, Penny moans her approval, and it’s those soft sounds of pleasure that are coming from deep in her throat that coax me to continue.

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