Page 25 of His to Claim

Fuck me.What the hell am I supposed to say to that? She’s so damn sincere and I want her more than anything. And to turn her away…well, it would just be cruel and a devastating blow to her ego.

Before I can comment, she raises a hand. “Sorry if I’m being too forward, but I feel something with you, and I thought you felt it, too. Clearly, you don’t. I just have terrible luck when it comes to men. My only boyfriend—and I use the term loosely since it only lasted three months—cheated on me. He didn’t want me, so I guess I’m not surprised you don’t, either.”

“Carlotta—”

“No, it’s fine. But can I ask you a question?”

“Anything.”

“Am I that undesirable? That unloveable? What’s wrong with me that I’m still a virgin at twenty-five?”

“Nothing is wrong with you,” I state firmly.

She snorts in disbelief.

“The truth is I desire you very much. More than I should,” I admit.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Sweetheart, I sucked and finger fucked you into an orgasm twice in the past twenty-four hours and there’s so much more I want to do. It’s taking all of my self-control to not rip your clothes off right now.” Stepping closer, I wrap my fingers around the edges of the coat and pull her closer, straight into my arms. “Please, don’t doubt yourself because you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

She tilts her head back, looking up at me, her eyes so full of disbelief and innocence. “Then why don’t you want me?”

“I do,” I grit out, tugging her closer and pressing a hard kiss against her forehead. “I’m just not the man you need.”

“I do need you, Damon. I wantyouand I chooseyou. Even if that means only one night.”

I pull back and search her face. Is she serious? Because if she’s capable of sharing one blissful night and not expecting more then how the hell can I say no to that? Fuck, I’m standing on a slippery slope and I can feel myself sliding.

I’m going to cave in to her. It’s inevitable.

“I don’t want you to doubt yourself because I want you badly. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone,” I whisper. “But I need you to understand and agree that whatever happens here stays here. Once we’re back home, we go our separate ways.”

“With amazing memories.”

“Yeah. But I need you to be sure, Carlotta.”

She pushes up onto her toes and presses her lips to mine. “I’m sure, Damon,” she tells me in a low voice.

That final reassurance whispered against my mouth casts the last of my reservations into the wind. Reaching down, I scoop her up and turn, walking back into the cabin. Tonight is going to be a night that neither of us will ever forget.

I will make sure of it.

11

CARLOTTA

Imade my choice and now there’s no turning back. I want Damon more than anything and now I know he wants me, too. And if that means only one night then so be it. I’m ready.

He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. Once we’re back inside the cabin, he kicks the door shut, locks it and carries me back over to the fireplace. Grabbing the blanket with one hand, he shakes it out, laying it down on the floor. Then he slowly lowers himself down, gently laying me back, and captures my mouth in a slow, sultry kiss that sends delicious shockwaves through my body.

I love how he can be so demanding one minute and then take it down the next, moving so slowly, so teasingly, that I want to cry. Our tongues explore and he traces the seam of my lips with his tongue then begins kissing my neck. He’s taking his time, being utterly thorough, and I’m on the verge of melting into a puddle on the floor.

The moment he licks and then lightly sucks the spot right below my ear, I moan. I’m not sure why but, oh, my goodness, that spot makes me lose my mind a little.

“Is that the spot, sweetheart?” he asks, voice husky. But before I can answer, his hand slides between my legs and I lose all ability to form a coherent sentence. His fingers start stroking and I arch against his hand, needing more.

As if he can read my mind, he slips a finger, then two, inside me and thrusts them in and out. The heat and friction begin to build and when his thumb touches my clit, rubbing and finding the exact right pressure, everything in me tenses then explodes in the most beautiful way.

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