Page 110 of Check the Halls
I gape at him, stunned by the sheer absurdity of it.
“Not for one second,” I insist. “Not even for a millisecond did I think that. I thought...I thought something happened to you. That you were gone.”
A heavy breath shudders out of him, his forehead dropping against mine, the relief pouring out of him.
“I know I did what I had to do,” he whispers. “I just hate that it hurt you. I can’t lose you again, Maddy. I can’t do it.”
I lift onto my toes, pressing a kiss to his mouth, soft and sure. A vow.
“You’re not going to lose me,” I whisper against his lips. “I hate to break it to you, Hockeyboi17, but we’re stuck with each other. We’re going to screw up. We’re going to hurt each other sometimes. But we’ll figure it out. Together.”
I feel his smile against my cheek.
“Promise?”
“I promise,” I say. And I mean it with everything I have.
He brushes his knuckles along my cheek tenderly.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” he says again.
“I know,” I whisper. “I trust you, Ben. With my whole heart. But I am seriously considering the tracking device.”
His answering laugh is broken and relieved at the same time. The deep vibration travels from his body to mine as he holds me against him. “Whatever you want. I’ll wear a collar if it makes you feel better.”
I pull back and give him an appraising look up and down. “Well, this conversation has taken an unexpectedly kinky turn.”
His grin lights up the dark hallway as he starts to advance on me. “If you’re looking to train me, Madness, I respond very well to positive reinforcement.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” I almost trip over my own feet as I back away. His hands find my hips and steady me.
“You could teach me tricks…” His five o’clock shadow brushes against my neck and instantly I wish it were between my thighs. He spins me around pressing me against the hallway wall, all the while his hands continue to roam my body. Gentle caresses that make me want more.
“Ben,” I gasp as his teeth graze my earlobe. I can’t understand why he hasn’t picked me up and carried me to bed. Or why he isn’t taking me right here and now. He’s just pinned me here, touching and not touching me. “What are you doing?”
His lips brush against mine, but when I try to deepen the kiss, he pulls away. “I’m waiting for you to give me a command.”
If it were possible for a person to physically melt from desire, I would right here and now. I thread my fingers through his dark hair and whisper, “Take my top off.”
His eyes don’t leave mine as his hand glides up my abdomen, lightly grazing my breast. Starting with the top button, he undoes my blouse, achingly slowly. When the last one has been undone, he separates the two sides, staring appreciatively down at my bare skin. He slides the silk fabric off my shoulders and to the floor. His lips dip to brush the tops of my breasts, pushed up by my bra.
“Now my skirt,” I tell him.
Is it my imagination, or are his hands less steady than they were before? They encircle my waist, fumbling with the clasp at the back of the garment.
“Have I told you how much I love your work clothes, Madness? Especially the more reserved ones. The self control it takes for me not to peel every layer off you the moment you put them on is downright admirable.” His thumbs hook in the fabric and push the skirt over my ass. It lands in a crumpled heap next to my blouse.
“Panties.” My voice is breathy but firm. Ben’s heated gaze remains fixed on mine as he drops to his knees before me. His hands start at my ankles and travel up my calves, my knees, my thighs until finally, he grabs the flimsy material of my thong and drags it down.
He stares at my pussy like a starving man looks at his next meal. Like it’s the key to his salvation. I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt more in control than I do at this moment.
When his eyes find mine, they downright plead with me, but I’m not ready to give in. I know the moment he touches me there, I will be putty in his hands and I’m enjoying this new dynamic too much to give it up just yet.
“Take off your shirt.”
His jaw flexes and I can tell that was not the command he was hoping for.
“Madness…” he warns.
