Page 274 of Love Me in the Dark
But he’s not sleeping. We both know the truth. He’s waiting, letting me have this sense of power.
“You always watch,” I murmur, rolling my hips once against him. “You like control. I get it. But what happens when you don’t have it? When someone strips your precious control out from under you?”
His chest rises slowly beneath me.
Still not speaking.
Still letting me lead.
My hands trace up his arms, over his shoulders, then back down to the sharp cut of his abdomen. I scratch lightly. Just enough to test. Just enough to provoke.
Still… nothing.
I lean down, my lips hovering just above his.
His lashes flick, but he doesn’t give in.
God, he’s good.
But I’m better.
I kiss him. Softly at first—light pressure, a dare. Then harder. My mouth opens, claiming what he’s refused to take.
That’s when his hands grip my thighs.
Not rough. Not forceful.
Just… steady.
Grounding.
His eyes open.
Dark. Dilated. Devouring.
I smile, lips brushing his.
“There you are.”
He stares at me, breathing hard.
“Ivy,” he warns, voice rough like gravel.
“What?” I say sweetly. “You’re not scared, are you?”
His hands tighten slightly. His eyes flash.
“Of you?” He breathes deeply. “I’m not afraid to admit you fucking terrify me. But you’re mine, Ivy. Climbing through my mind and body like a vine I’ll never be able to obliterate.”
I bite my bottom lip and lean down again, letting my body press flush to his. I drag my mouth down the edge of his jaw, to his throat. His pulse pounds beneath my tongue.
“You’ve been patient long enough,” I whisper. “Haven’t you?”
He exhales like a man trying to survive a war.
I drag my hips forward again. “Or maybe… you’re just a coward and you are too afraid to take what you want.”
That’s the moment the last thread of his restraint starts to snap.
