Page 45 of The Rebel (Looking to Score 1)
I follow him into his room, which, unlike my suite, is a modest, standard hotel room. Just a mini fridge, a wingback chair in the corner, and of course, a neatly made bed. A bed that looms in the center of the room like a beacon, and at that sight, I have to remind myself to breathe.
Before I can even manage a word, Holt circles his big hands around my waist, pulling me flush against him and claiming my mouth with a firm, commanding kiss that empties the breath from my lungs.
Up until now, he’s been so careful with me, toeing every line until I invite him to cross it. But not tonight. Tonight, his kiss is hot and urgent, his tongue eagerly learning every inch of mine as he fills his hands with my backside—squeezing until I release a little moan. I can feel the pressure of his erection straining against my belly through his pants, and my heart rate nearly doubles.
“Sorry. Been wanting to do that all day,” he says in a low voice that makes my insides shiver with excitement.
16
* * *
HOLT
Eden looks incredible.
I haven’t seen her since our little conversation in the hallway earlier, and it strikes me again just how gorgeous she really is. This time she’s dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt instead of one of her usual business suits, which excites me almost as much. But there’s something I like about this relaxed version of her too, the one that not many people get to see.
When she sauntered into my room tonight, I grabbed her and kissed her perfect mouth, unable to wait a second longer. My cock hardened instantly, and of course Eden noticed. Now I’ve put a little distance between us, getting her a bottle of water from the mini fridge just so I have something to do with my hands that has nothing to do with ripping her clothes off.
I told myself this wasn’t going to happen tonight, and even though that kiss spiraled out of control fast, I’m determined not to sleep with her. Not yet, anyway.
Because if I do, I’m afraid she’s going to see right through me. See that this isn’t some hot game to me. See that when I touch her, it’s like her skin is something to be worshipped, and her body is the most precious gift in the world. I’m afraid she’ll discover all the secrets I keep hidden away. And I can’t let that happen.
We sit on the bed together, and Eden takes a sip of her water before setting the bottle on the nightstand.
“Thank you for earlier,” she says, her voice soft. “With Alex. I know you were protecting me.”
I nod, something inside me tightening. “I’ll always protect you.”
My words are filled with meaning and purpose, and Eden doesn’t fail to notice. Her eyes latch onto mine, and with a soft expression, she touches the back of my hand, the pads of her fingers caressing my calloused knuckles.
A simple touch shouldn’t be this electrifying, but it is. And I’m speechless.
She leans in and kisses me—just a light press of her mouth to mine at first. When my lips part, her tongue sweeps inside against mine. Then she’s kissing me the way I remember from all of my best memories. Her tongue touches mine, her mouth hot and needy, tiny whimpers in the back of her throat. I grow warm all over and my cock jerks behind my zipper. It’s never been this good with anyone else. Not even close.
I need to get my head on straight. She came here wanting to hook up—not to rekindle our young love.
Get a clue, Rossi. She’s a woman under an enormous amount of pressure, a woman on the brink of a rebound. That’s it. You’re a temporary stop, just like you were before, here to lend some stress relief. Maybe an orgasm or two.
It’s then that I tell myself maybe, just maybe, it would be okay to indulge—just for tonight. It doesn’t have to mean anything. It can’t.
Deciding I can live with that, I guide her back onto the bed so she’s lying against the pillows and I hover over top of her. Her mouth is so perfect, and I can’t get enough.
As we kiss, her hands wander. Caressing my biceps as I support my weight over her, running over the broad planes of my chest, then down my stomach until they settle at the waistband of my jeans. I can feel her hesitate for a moment before gathering her courage, and then she palms the firm ridge of my erection through the fabric.
A low grunt pushes past my lips.
I strip her of her T-shirt and then unbutton her jeans. Eden pushes her hands under my shirt, and I slip that off too. I push her thighs together only long enough to tug her jeans down and off. Then she parts her knees again, and the sight of her lying on my bed wearing only her bra and panties, which are white and lacy, makes my breath catch. She looks good enough to eat.
