Page 87 of Passed Ball

"It's beating so fast," I say, my voice filled with wonder.

"Mhmm." He doesn't hide behind a smile or bravado. His tone is raw, unguarded. "I'm desperate for you but I'm trying damn hard to keep it together."

"Why?" I fear I already know the answer. I feel it too. This isn't about the list. This man is my friend. I trust him; I've let him in--something I never do.

He swallows, his hand cupping the side of neck and I melt into the contact. "Because I don't want to scare you."

"A little fear is healthy."

"Like at the top of a roller coaster?" he offers.

I nod. "Yeah. I like roller coasters. They remind you you're alive." I reach for the hem of his shirt, tugging at it.

"Me too," he says, pulling his shirt over his head and dropping it at his feet. "Take your shirt off for me, sweetheart."

He doesn't need to ask me twice. It's over my head and joining his in an instant.

"This time, when I get you naked, I'm going to take my time getting to know every bewitching curve. There's not a part of you I'm not going to explore." His voice is pure gravel.

"Good." I reach for the waistband of his shorts, pushing them down his hips. "I want you to brand me with your touch. Make it so I can't ever forget what this feels like."

"And what does it feel like?" he asks, stepping out of his pants and kicking them to the side.

I'm momentarily struck speechless by the sight of him, my thoughts scattering. Xavier's lips curl up into a smirk, and I realize I've been caught staring.

"Like I'm finally living."

"Then I'm doing my job." He drops to his knees in front of me, his hands smoothing up my legs until he reaches the waistband of my skirt. I lift my hips for him, and each brush of his fingers over my skin as he drags the material down my body leaves behind a spark of need.

Xavier sits back on his heels, his palms coming to my knees like he needs the connection to steady himself. A rough groan comes from deep in his chest. "Jesus, you're the prettiest thing I've ever seen."

I'm addicted to the way he looks at me. I need more of it. Knowing he loves my breasts, I unhook the front clasp, letting them bounce free.

"Fucking hell, Vi." He groans and it's everything I hoped for. "You're going to kill me."

I whimper when he pushes my legs apart--his praise, dizzying, giving me a high that nothing else can touch.

"And this," he says, kissing the inside of my knee, all his focus on the wet spot that grows with each second. "I've been dreaming about this perfect cunt for weeks."

"You have?" I pant.

He nods, kissing the other knee, his hands creeping closer to my apex as he spreads them. "It's been all I can think of. Tell me you're going to let me inside you tonight."

As if that's even a question. Honestly, we deserve a trophy for holding off as long as we have.

"I might die if you don't fuck me tonight." I cry out when he hooks the crotch of my thong with his finger, pulling it and letting it snap back in place. "Fuck," I hiss, not expecting it.

"We'll get there, but first we need to get rid of these." He runs his fingers over my center, tracing the edges until he gets to my hips. With painstaking patience he shimmies them down my legs.

I lick my lips, reaching for him--needing to touch him. "Your turn."

He stands, his thumbs sliding beneath the waistband of his briefs. Impatience has me hooking my leg around him and pulling him forward before he's got them all the way off.

"What's the rush?" He laughs, his arm shooting out to catch himself, stopping his full weight from landing on me.

"Seven days and the promise of multiple orgasms," I remind him.

"You miss me, sweetheart?"

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