Page 25 of Devil's Tulip

I jolt so hard the back of my knees knock against the foot of the bed, and the next thing I know, I’m falling—my back hitting the mattress with a soft thud. But I barely feel the impact as I scramble to my feet.

Because standing in the doorway of what I assume leads to the bathroom, steam curling around him, isMichael.

Stark. Naked.

I inhale sharply, my jaw dropping as I take in the beautiful work of art that’s his body. A mixture of dark and colorful ink forming a masterpiece over the hard ridges of his abs, his biceps, his thigh. Are there tattoos everywhere?

My breath catches as my gaze inevitably drops lower.

And—

Oh.Oh.

That’s… abnormally large.

And getting bigger.

Fuck.

8

MICHAEL

My chest swells with primal satisfaction as her gaze slowly drags over my bare flesh. The tips of her ears and her entire face flush red, embarrassment clear as day, but she can’t seem to stop herself from checking me out.

Her gaze drops to my cock—already hardening for her—and she jerks her head up so fast it’s a miracle she doesn’t snap her neck, mortification warring with curiosity in her expression.

“See something you like?” I smirk, executing a slow turn that’s meant to tease her but really gives me a moment to wrestle back some control. I thought I’d gotten a handle on my body’s reaction to her in my time alone disposing of that asshole’s corpse, but apparently not. One look from her and I’m ready to combust.

When I face her again, her golden eyes are as wide as saucers. “Your tattoos… They’re everywhere,” she breathes, taking an unconscious step towards me. Every muscle in my body screams to close the distance, but I force myself to remain still, even as my heart pounds a hard staccato in my chest.

“Not quite everywhere,” I remind her, and her gaze automatically drops right back to my cock. Then—realizing whatshe’s doing—quickly squeezes her eyes shut. When she finally pries them open again, she stubbornly fixes them on a spot just over my shoulder.

Oh, as if I’d let that slide.

“What are you doing? Why are you not wearing any clothes?” The scandalized tone would be amusing if I wasn’t drowning in need.

“Eyes. On. Me.” I command, and when those beauties lock onto mine, it’s like being punched in the chest. I should know—I’ve been hit there before. Some magnetic force pulls me towards her, my resolve crumbling with each step. I need her scent on my skin like I need oxygen, crave her touch like an addict needs their next fix.

“How can you just walk out… naked?” she huffs. Her eyes stay on mine, but I can see how hard she fights not to flick them lower as I close the distance between us.

I raise a brow. “I was showering, in my private bathroom, inmybedroom, and you walked in. Didn’t even knock.” When I finally reach her, my hand rises to her neck—not to harm, but to claim. My fingers barely graze her skin before she skitters back like a frightened bird, throat working beneath where my hand had almost touched.

A smile curves my lips. Bad move, little birdy. Now I want to chase.

I step towards her. She steps back.

I move again. So does she.

We do this dance, and I’m enjoying every second because I know soon—ha.The back of her knees knocks against the bedframe, and too caught up in me, she loses her balance, falling ass first on my bed.

Satisfaction thrums through me because this position puts her face-to-cock with me. Her color goes even deeper, and she slaps a hand over her face, eyes squeezing shut again like that’llerase reality.Fuck.How far down does that blush go? Does it paint her tits? Trail down her belly? Stain the lips of her cunt?

“I–I’m sorry.” Her words snap my attention. “I didn’t realize you’d gotten home, and—woah—” She trails off, fingers parting just slightly to peek at me as I run my knuckles down her flushed cheek, memorizing the silk of her skin.

Yeah, I’m fucked.

“Your skin is so soft, so smooth.” The words roll out before I can think better of it. Christ, she’s so sweet I want to consume her whole.

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