Page 46 of Undeniable Temptation

“No.” He swallowed, the restriction in his throat making it hard to speak. “I guess it will have to happen eventually, though.”

Her features didn’t change, her lips maintained their sultry appeal, her lashes blinked in careless distraction. But he could feel her reaction, could sense the betrayal and animosity as if it were a physical entity she’d handed to him in a package with ribbon and shiny paper.

“I don’t want anyone else, Leah.” He released an arm from around her waist and cradled her jaw. “I’m here with you.”

“I know.” She tilted her face toward him, her mouth moving closer. “It’s just that you’ve been committed for so long, I thought maybe you’d want to get a little crazy.” She shrugged. “Ya know, like snorting sugar with lesbian lovers and such.” Her straight face transformed into a beaming smile.

“I only want to get crazy with you.”

“Promises, promises.”

Bam. And just like that, with a flirty line and flash of her pearly whites, he was lost. Done. Completely sold on spending eternity with this woman. “Are you hinting for me to move this along?”

“I didn’t want to be rude, but…” She nibbled her lower lip, the nervous reaction blindingly brilliant. Flirty Leah was now his favorite facet of this woman. Wonder Woman was profound; his best friend had been perfect. But this Leah, the one who made his chest throb and his libido surge was fucking phenomenal.

“I want to take this slow,” he admitted. “I want to make up for those two forced kisses.”

“Nothing was forced.”

“But it wasn’t what you deserved.” He trailed his thumb along her jaw, to her chin, and slowly swiped back and forth below her bottom lip. Her mouth was the most tempting taste he’d ever craved. “I want a new first kiss.”

He lifted her, placing her ass on the kitchen counter. “I want a proper kiss.” He pushed between her legs, lifting the hem of her nightgown to the top of her thighs. “I want to take my time.”

Her fingers tangled in his shirt, the slightest tug pulling him closer, dragging him toward the sweet scent of her. He leaned in, his nose hovering an inch from hers, his lungs dragging in her breath. She closed her eyes, her fingers gripping harder, her silent impatience making him burn.

“Kiss me, Ryan.”

“I will.” In time. First, he wanted to savor. He needed to memorize the hitch in her breath and the warmth from her skin. He had to study her. All the intricacies he’d never been allowed.

Her hand loosened in his shirt, her palm pressing firm against him as it made its way over his chest, his neck, and tangled in his hair. She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. “Now.”

She slanted her head, her approach unhurried. He felt her lips before they were on his, could sense the burn before the connection. The kiss was slow… barely moving… barely breathing. There was nothing hurried or rushed. Slight swipes of mouths, gentle brushes of noses.

She whimpered, the sound of surrender making him feel like he’d won a war.

“I’ve waited forever to hear that noise.” He nipped her lower lip. “To taste it.” He glided his tongue over hers, still slow, still barely moving.

Her legs lifted, her thighs encircling his waist as her hand descended from his hair and retreated to the hem of his shirt. She lifted the material, over his waist, his chest, to his neck. There was a split second of ice-cold separation as she yanked it over his head, then her mouth was back on his, meek and mild, gentle and coaxing.

He pulled her tighter against him as her nails slowly raked his skin, the trail painstaking in its leisure. Her touch inspired agony wherever it dragged, reigniting wounds from time wasted and years of misplaced affections. They should’ve done this long ago. He should’ve been with her from the start.

“We’re not friends anymore, Leah.” He spoke into her mouth, unwilling to pull away.

“I know.” Another kiss. Another stroke of tongues.

“Don’t let me mess this up.” That was his worst fear. Losing her. Losing this.

She froze, her eyes still closed as she placed her forehead against his. “You won’t. It’s the external factors that will make this temporary.”

Temporary? “Hey.” He chastised her with a harsh smack of his lips. “This ain’t temporary. Don’t get cold feet.”

“I’m not, but I don’t want to get carried away either. If I have to make a choice—”

“Don’t go there.” He could deal with her hesitation for now. Anything else was static. “We’re going to do whatever it takes to make this work.” He dropped his hands to her thighs and dragged her into him, her heat against his cock. “Whatever it takes, Leah.”

Chapter Thirteen

She nodded, hoping she could commit to the promise. In her mind, this was temporary. Disneyland for a day. A wish with a time limit. But with each touch, or kiss, or whispered word, she clung to the fantasy of more. She wanted to experience all of him before the fun was over.

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