Page 36 of The Proximity Effect

My stomach had been doing random somersaults every time I saw her throughout the day, and not the fun, adrenaline-junkie kind. No, this was the kind of nervous energy that made me feel like I’d swallowed a squirrel. I’d gone too far in the sauna that morning. Way too far. I knew it the second she’d bolted out of there like I’d set the place on fire.

I knocked, the sound echoing down the hallway like a gunshot. It was well past the time of friendly visits with it being almost ten PM. My heart was pounding so hard I was half-convinced she would be able to hear it through the door.

When it swung open, I was greeted by Tessa in a fluffy white robe, her hair wrapped up in a towel.. She looked... soft. And warm. And so damn kissable it took every ounce of self-control not to lean in right then and there.

“Hey.” My voice cracked like I was a teenager again. “I, uh... I wanted to apologize. For this morning. In the sauna. I was being an idiot, and I?—”

She didn’t let me finish. One second, I was stumbling over my words, and the next, her hands were fisted in the front of my shirt, yanking me into the room. The door slammed shut behind us, and then her lips were on mine, hot and demanding and so damn perfect I forgot how to breathe.

I froze for a split second, my brain short-circuiting. This wasn’t part of the apology plan. This wasn’t even in the same universe as the apology plan. But then her tongue brushed against mine, and all rational thought went out the window.

My hands found her waist, pulling her closer as I kissed her back with everything I had. She tasted like mint and something sweet, like a dessert she’d made just for me.

When I finally managed to pull away, it was only because I needed air. And because I needed to make sure this wasn’t a latent heatstroke-induced hallucination. “Tessa?—”

“Shut up,” she whispered, her hands sliding up my chest and pushing my jacket off my shoulders. She grabbed the hem of my shirt and tugged it over my head. “All day I couldn’t stop thinking about the damn sounds you made during the massage. And that... that position you showed me. I need a demonstration. A real one.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and my knees almost gave out. “Are you sure? Because if this is?—”

She kissed me again, harder this time, and any doubts I had evaporated like steam in the sauna. Her hands were everywhere, pulling at my belt, sliding under the waistband of my pants, and I was pretty sure I’d never been this turned on in my entire life.

I fumbled with the tie of her robe, my fingers trembling as I finally got it undone and pushed the fabric off her shoulders. She was naked underneath, her skin flushed and glowing from her shower, and I had to stop for a second to take her in.

“You’re beautiful.” My hands skimmed over her curves like I was memorizing every inch of her. She shivered under my touch as I traced the line of her hip with my thumb.

Her hands slid down to my waistband. “Stop talking and show me.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I kicked off my shoes and shoved my pants and boxer briefs down in one swift motion, stepping out of them before pulling her back into my arms. Her skin was hot against mine, and when she pressed herself against me, I groaned, my hands gripping her hips like I was afraid she’d disappear if I let go.

I scooped her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carried her to the bed and laid her down gently. She reached for me, pulling me down on top of her, and I kissed her like I was starving for her. Her hands roamed over my back, her nails digging into my skin as I trailed kisses down her neck, her collarbone, and to her chest. When I took one of her nipples into my mouth, she arched into me with a gasp, her fingers tangling in my hair.

“Evan.” The way she said my name in a half-desperate plea, half command sent electricity racing down my spine straight to my cock. “Please.” Her fingertips traced delicate patterns across my shoulders, the light touch a maddening contrast to the urgency in her voice.

I shifted, positioning myself between her legs, and she reached down to guide me to her entrance. I paused, looking up at her. “Are you sure? We need a condom.”

“Right. Condom. There’s some in the nightstand.”

I grabbed one and rolled it on, repositioning myself between her legs. “Ready?”

She nodded, her eyes dark with need. “Yes.”

I pushed into her slowly, but she wrapped her legs around me and pulled me deeper.

“God, you feel amazing.” I groaned, my forehead resting against hers as I adjusted my position higher so each roll of my hips would hit her everywhere. I started to move, and her eyes nearly rolled back.

I was pretty sure I’d died and gone to heaven. “How’s this feel?” I shifted my angle slightly to hit that spot I knew would drive her wild. Her answering moan was all the confirmation I needed. I kept the pace slow and steady, focusing on her pleasure.

Her nails dug into my shoulders. “Don’t stop.” Her voice was a ragged whisper, sending heat down my spine.

I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not with her legs wrapped around me, her heels digging into my lower back, urging me on. I watched her, captivated by the flush spreading across her skin and the way her eyes fluttered closed as she got closer and closer to the edge.

When she finally came, her body squeezed around my cock and her nails scraped down my back. I exploded, my vision going white as I buried myself in her one last time, a low groan tearing from my throat.

We collapsed in a tangled heap, both of us breathing hard. I rolled onto my side, pulling her with me so she was tucked against my chest. She let out a contented sigh, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin.

“Was that a good enough demonstration?” I couldn’t stop the hint of playful smugness that crept into my tone. The way she’d responded to my touch and the way we’d moved together had exceeded even my most optimistic expectations. And I considered myself a pretty optimistic guy.

She laughed, tilting her head up to look at me. “Yeah, but I might need a refresher later. Just to be sure.”

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