Page 41 of Finding Home

“Were you scared of what your friends would say?” She kept her tone light, as if the answer didn’t have the power to devastate her.

“No,” he said, his gaze steady. “I was scared of what you would say.”

“But you were you”—she pointed at him and then to herself with a frown—“and I was me.”

“Exactly.” He rose, determination darkened his eyes. “Our favorite books are our favorite, not because of pretty covers but because of what’s written inside, and you are a goddamn masterpiece.”

The air crackled like a coming storm. Anticipation prickled beneath Elle’s skin.

“Are you going to kiss me?” Breath shallow, she stepped toward him.

“Do you want me to kiss you?” he rasped, moving closer, hands clenched at his sides.

“Yes.” She closed the space between them.

He cupped her face and lowered his mouth to hers. It wasn’t sweet and tentative like a boy’s first kiss but ravenous, as if the only thing that could appease his hunger was her.

Sliding his hands to her waist, he pulled her tight against him.

A small moan escaped her as his tongue coaxed her lips open, taking the kiss deeper into the sweet release of this moment. Every nerve-ending exploded like her own internal fireworks show. His kiss, his touch, ignited something deep within her. Something she thought had been lost.

Lifting her hands to his shoulders she pressed harder into the firm angles of his chest. He moved backward as she pushed forward, their steps a faultless dance.

He captured her lower lip, and bit softly. The luscious pain released a whimper of need from her. The back of his muscular legs hit the couch and they separated, staring at each other. His raised eyebrow a silent dare. With a teasing smile, she pushed Clayton to a seated position. His grin was a delightful mix of playful and wicked as she straddled his lap.

A throaty grunt escaped him at their newfound closeness, followed by a groan as her mouth met his, her lips leading. And he followed her lead, move for move. With a rumble of pleasure his tongue tangled with hers.

“Clayton,” she panted.

He ceased his kisses, his gray eyes hungry but patient.

Elle rested her hands over his, guiding them to the dress hem and helped him raise the fabric until it bunched at her waist.

Clayton’s eyes flicked to her bare legs. His gaze, desirous and questioning, returned to hers.

With a nod, she mouthedyes.

This is where she wanted to be. With him. The ghosts of her past were not welcomed here. On this couch it was just them.

He trailed languid kisses from her lips to below her ear, over her flushed cheek to her chin and down the long column of her throat to the collarbone and back up. With a sly smile, he moved back to her cheek, and his kiss turned chaste. As Elle let out a frustrated noise, he chuckled before licking her throat. The delicious rasp of his tongue made her back arch.

More!Deep within, a switch flipped, and her movements turned feverish and frantic. Her hips writhed against his lower belly as he continued to suck at the base of her throat. The touch of his hands scorched her already heated skin.

“Touch me, please,” she pleaded breathlessly.

“Where do you want me to touch you?” His voice a low rumble.

Raising her hips, she guided his fingers to her core shielded by a thin layer of lacy underwear, already damp with need. Grazing his fingers under the fabric, he pushed it aside.

The smooth pads of his fingers slipped through her slick folds. “Hmmm…so wet.” The vibration of his deep voice intensifying her need. “Do I do this to you?”

“Yes,” she hissed with the first slow stroke of her clit.

The heat of his gaze moved like a wave across her body as his finger stroked and rubbed and flicked. Hips grinding, she rode his hand, her nails digging into his shoulders. A pleasurable pressure built, readying to rip through her.

She widened her legs and he pushed a second finger inside her body, while continuing to massage her sensitive nub with his thumb. The pressure climbed until he slipped another finger inside her, catapulting her over the edge.

“Clayton,” she whined, her body shuddering.

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