Page 51 of Rogue Voice

She nodded, replying to his earlier question. “I’ve seen drawings made by older girls in school, so I know what I’m looking at. And I’ve also seen horses.” She allowed herself a small smile, and a quick peek back between his legs.Yes, just as big as before. Maybe growing even bigger.

“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” he said, flashing a bright smile. “Here, take the towel, before I do something I shouldn’t do.”

A small burst of anger hit her at his use of the singular. As if this was something onlyhewas doing, rather than something they could dotogether. Bea shook her head from side to side. “I don’t want the towel. Do you not like me? Why are you walking away?”

Rogue let the towel drop to the floor.It’s not like it was doing much, anyway.

He bridged the distance between them in a single step, gently cupping her cheek with his hand.

“I’m walking away because it’s the right thing to do. You’ve just been through a traumatic experience, and you need time to heal, to discover what you want?—”

“I’m not a child, Rogue,” she said angrily.

He looked her up and down for a long instant, giving a wry laugh. “I know you’re not, believe me.”

“I may not be very experienced, but it seems simple enough from where I’m standing,” she said. Desire bolstered her courage, giving her the words she needed. “I’m attracted to you. And I think … I think you’re attracted to me.”

This time, Rogue didn’t hesitate. “That’s one way of putting it, honey. I want you like I’ve never wanted any woman before. And if you knew more about men, you’d know just how close I am to grabbing you and kissing you senseless.”

Yes.

“That sounds lovely,” she whispered.

But still, Rogue didn’t move. She took a tiny step closer to him, until their bodies were aligned, and stood up on her tiptoes, bringing her face closer. She knew, even though it hadn’t happened yet, that the moment their bodies touched, they would combust. Yet she didn’t want to trick Rogue into kissing her. She wanted him towantto be with her.

“Ever since I became an adult,” Bea said, “I’ve only been valuable for one thing. Something I hadn’t yet given away. Something my uncle wanted to gift to a man I despised.”

Rogue’s mouth tightened.

“I won’t let them hurt you, honey. I swear to you.”

Honey.That word again. A sweet caress.

“Let me finish. My value is not in my virginity. I am so much more than that.”

“Jesus. I know that, Bea. The reason I’m holding back—and fuck, it’s hard—has nothing to do with you being a virgin.” The last word came out as a croak. He wasn’t unaffected.

“What is it, then? And stop saying I’ve been through a traumatic experience. That traumatic experience will be with me for as long as I live. What matters is what I choose to do now with my life. And if we’re both attracted to each other, whyshouldn’t we have sex?” she said, pausing for an instant to take a deep breath. “No strings attached.”

22

Rogue

“No strings attached,” she repeated, her chin jutting out bravely.

A less observant man might have missed the slight quiver in her voice. “No strings?” he growled. That wasn’t how they were going to do things.

Her eyes opened, staring up, and he held her gaze, allowing the hand caressing her cheek to move down the side of her neck, stroking along her collarbone. Her skin was soft as silk, softer even than he’d imagined during the many times he’d imagined her like this.

“No strings?” he repeated. “Bea, the strings between us couldn’t get much tighter. Ever since I first set eyes on you, when you came up with that ridiculous line about bringing me moretowels, I’ve wanted you. And the more I know you, the more I want you.”

Bea placed her finger on his lips, silencing him. “Good. Because I want to be with you, too. Show me how to please you, Rogue.”

“You’re going to kill me, honey,” he groaned. His hand moved lower, grazing her small, firm breasts, with those dusky nipples that just begged to be sucked.

Bea sighed and arched into his touch. “I’m not as innocent as you might imagine,” she said. “I can show you how I give myself pleasure, if you like.”

Fuck.They hadn’t even touched properly, and already he was close to blowing his load. But not in this bathroom. They weren’t going to do this here. He swung her up in his arms.

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