Page 106 of Here and Now
He gently nips the pad of my thumb. “Never be ashamed or embarrassed with me, sweetheart. All I want is to give you pleasure.”
I gather up the courage I have and channel the courage to say it. “I want you to touch my breasts.”
“Good choice.” His grin is sexy, and his eyes burn even hotter.
Those warm hands move down my arms, and then he lifts them over my head. Slowly the soft fabric of my top slides against my skin and is over my head. He tosses it to the side, and I shiver.
Miles looks at me, and there is so much desire in his eyes, I could melt. He moves his hands down my arms, placing them at my sides before he glides them from my stomach to my breasts.
My breath hitches as he just skims the outline of my bra.
His deep voice is rough and husky. “You have no idea how many times I’ve pictured this exact moment.”
I look up at him as he undoes my clasp. Then he hooks his finger on my bra strap. Ever so slowly, he slides it down, and then it falls between us.
His eyes are on mine for a heartbeat, as though he’s searching for permission, so I nod.
“My imagination wasn’t even close to the perfection that you are.”
“Touch me,” I plead. I need to feel him, to know that this isn’t a dream.
The last time a man touched me, it was to inflict pain, and I want that gone. I want him to replace everything in my past, by giving me this now.
He does. His hands cup my breasts, and he rubs his thumb across my nipple. “Do you like that?”
“Yes,” I manage to whisper.
“Where else do you want me to touch you?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I tell him the truth. “Everywhere.”
He squats down just a little, his hands hooking under my thighs, and then I’m being carried around to the side of the bed. Instinctively my legs wrap around his hips, and I hold on. I run my fingers through his thick, brown hair and then bring my lips to his.
He’s like a drug, and I want to be intoxicated all night long.
He lays me down on the bed and tears his shirt off.
Now, I’m not saying that I didn’t think he was going to be hot, because ... he already was.
What I wasn’t prepared for was this.
Thick muscles and a six-pack you could do laundry on. Over his chest and up his shoulder is a marine’s emblem tattoo that is covering raised skin. I know what that scar is. My brother has a similar one.
He was shot.
As much as I want to ask, I won’t. While I would gladly take his secrets, it’s not fair to not offer him mine.
True intimacy is exposing yourself for another. To give your heart, soul, and secrets because you know you’re able to be open with that person, but I can’t give my secrets away. No matter how much Miles makes me feel safe, we aren’t. I have to protect myself and my son.
He climbs onto the bed, hovering over me. His mouth finds mine, and I pour my emotions into it.
Everything I can’t say but want him to feel.
When he breaks away, his tongue traces the contour of my neck, then down the center of my breasts before he finds one nipple, licking around it and then taking it in his mouth.
I moan when his teeth just gently bite down on my nipple. “Oh God.”
I can feel his grin against my skin.
