Page 91 of All We Need

Not thirty seconds later, a heavy hand pounds on the door.Inno rush—mostly to taunt him—Ipad over and crack it open. “CanIhelp you?”

He looks up from where he’s casually leaning against the wall, donning a worn navy backward cap.Hiscrooked smile is filled with filthy vows and my skin breaks out in goose bumps asIdrink him in from head to toe.

His cockiness—while annoying—isn’t misplaced.Hereally is beautiful, with a masculine edge.

A deep hum rumbles from his throat. “Youcan start by letting me inside and then giving me those lips,Silver.I’mfucking starved.”

Since our rendezvous in the supply closet, my vibrator hasn’t gotten close to satiating me like he did.Likelyhis plan all along.

Needing him to fill the void,Iabandon my teasing.Assoon as he steps over the threshold,I’mhoisted into his arms, leaving no choice but to wrap my legs around his waist.

He thrusts his tongue into my mouth, and groans whenIloop my arms around his neck.Westumble into the apartment, my heart racing with each lick and nip.Somewherealong the way, he loses his coat and cap, andItake advantage by running my hands over the corded muscles on his shoulders and arms.

I lose myself in the kiss, to the pointIdon’t realize we’ve moved into the kitchen.Thefridge rattles as he presses me upagainst it, his hot mouth trailing down my neck and over my collarbone asIfeel him thicken beneath me.

My head lolls to the side, and a high-pitched gasp leaves me when he draws my hardened nipple into his mouth over my tank.

“Oh fuck,”Icall out when he clamps down with his teeth before flicking it with the tip of his tongue.

“Aly?” he rasps between my breasts, not stopping his delicious torture.

“Yes.Whateverit is,yes.”Desperationseeps from my voice.

“I love the enthusiasm, baby.Butwould you mind telling me why there’s an entire grocery store in your kitchen?”

I freeze.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Let me down.”Hedrops me lightly on my feet.Islide out of his hold, hoping he doesn’t pick up on my embarrassment. “Okay, so don’t look into this too much, butIthought we could cook together.Whatever.Ifyou don’t want to,I’msureIcan give it to a food bank.”

I keep my gaze on the faucet, thedrip drip dripof water taunting me as the silence ticks by.Anunfamiliar discomfort makes it impossible to face him.

“LikeIsaid”—Ithrow a hand toward all the food—“it’s no big deal.”

“Alessandra,” he says sternly. “Lookat me.”

Bracing myself,Itake a calming breath before glancing at him.

“Wipe that frown off your beautiful face first.Andthen come here.”Hecrooks a finger at me, andIbite back my retort.

Each slap of my feet against the tiled floor sounds like a drum in my ears.

WhenI’mless than a foot away, he crouches to my level, eyes burning into me. “Whyare you freaking out?”

“I’m not,”Isay stiffly.Someof my resolve dissolves when he cups my cheeks gently.

“Okay, you’re not.Doyou know what you are?”

I shake my head.

“You’re the most impressive womanI’veever met.Beingin your presence does something to meIcan’t put into words.Icould go on about how breathtakingly beautiful you are untilI’mblue in the face.Yourbrain is astounding—so smart and perceptive.Yetsomehow you’ve refused to see the shit-eating grinI’vebeen wearing since you said you wanted to cook together.”

My breath catches.Allmy fight falls away at the conviction in his voice.Icurl my lips over my teeth. “It’snot weird?”

He laughs and plants a kiss between my brows before striding to the other side of the kitchen. “You’reweird for thinking it’s weird.Nowget your ass over here and tell me what we’re making.”

All worries demolished,Ijoin him.Hiseyes light up whenItell him we’re making a traditionalGreekdish, mygiagiá’srecipe, making my heart swell.Helistens intently asIgo through the steps foryouvetsiwith chicken.

---