Page 44 of A Taste of Trouble

“Right here? Right now?”

“I want you.”

He slid his hands down the side of her body until he found the hem of her skirt. He eased it up her thighs until it gathered just under her bottom. She opened her legs for him, triggering a smile on his face. She felt the pull of his cheek against hers.

He lifted her hands above her head, locking them into position, and rested his free hand gently on her neck. After stroking her collarbone, he slid his fingertips down her side, stopping to circle one of her breasts, her belly button, the inside of her thigh…his final resting place.

He traced one finger across her creamy flesh. He was strategic. Still gripping her hands above her head, his finger caressed between her legs, never resting for too long in one spot.

“That's not fair.” Liv let her head fall back against the wall.

“All's fair in love and war.” His hand released her wrists and it ran down the length of her arms to her neck. She shivered. It wasn't the first time his touch elicited such a reaction, but she was pretty sure this time, her shiver had everything to do with the mention of love.

He undid the buttons of her shirt, revealing her black lace bra, then slid it from her body, letting it flutter to the floor. He cupped her breasts with both hands and pulled down the lace. Easing his body down, he pushed her breasts together, raising her nipples, capturing one of them with his hot, moist mouth.

He laved his tongue across the stiff peak, swirling until he had her body arching as waves of heat pulsed from her core. When he came up for air, Liv attacked his belt buckle, trying to rip his shirt from the confines of his waistband. This was the only way she knew—in control, confident, quick, and meaningless.

Before she could undo his pants, he grabbed her and pinned her against the wall, trapping her hands above her head. “All in good time.”

The deep rasp of his voice turned her legs into liquid jelly. He teased and controlled. Trying to see how far she would go before she begged. She recognized her own tactics.

He used his tongue to search out her mouth, leaving no inch unclaimed. With one kiss, she melted. With one kiss, she was ready to let him lead her.

Lead her in the bedroom. Lead her anywhere.

He teased and tortured her for what seemed like a lifetime. The sharp tugs and nips on her nipples had her primed and ready to go. She groaned when he straightened and brushed his lips over hers.

This time, Jake's kiss was powerful, nothing less than she had remembered.

She opened her eyes as his mouth explored hers. She liked the thought of stealing a peek without him knowing. But he pulled away and their eyes locked. She gasped. There was an intense pleasure, coupled with the intense heat radiating from his hard length that pressed into her stomach.

He must have given this look to hundreds of women before her, but for some reason, Liv felt as if this look was meant for her, only her. His actions didn't feel rehearsed or distant. He was enjoying this just as much as she was, and at that moment, they belonged together.

Standing there together, eyes locked, bodies entwined, this wasn't just about the sex.

Moving her hands around his back, she felt his muscles flexing as she pulled him closer. She would let him in and, hopefully, she wouldn't regret it too much.

Jake grabbed her hair at the nape of her neck and lifted her head toward him, his hot breath heating her blood. “I want you to let me in.”

“I want you inside me, too.” Liv ground her pelvis against him. He didn't need to worry about her backing out. She was on board with a first class ticket. She needed him inside her, his thickness stretching and filling her, sending her into a tear-inducing climax.

He shook his head, denying her another kiss. “No.” His eyes locked with hers. “I want you to let me inside you, your mind.” His fingertips traced the edge of her forehead. “Not just your body.”

No, no, no, no. This was not on the agenda. But no matter how hard she tried to make this about sex, emotions seemed to cloud that determination.

Finally his lips touched her as he kissed his way up and down her neck. “Do you trust me?”

“This isn't about trust, Jake.” She didn't trust any man. It was nothing personal. “This is about you and me, and that big, comfortable bed I have in the other room that is dying for some attention.”

He wanted that bed, too. His body was humming with desire just the same as hers. She needed his hands on her…now. But Liv tensed when she realized he had no intention of speeding up their encounter.

His head gently moved from side to side, his dark hair tickling her neck. “There's something between us,” he whispered. Then he looked in her eyes. “I've been trying to deny it…but it's not just sex.”

“This is sex. Say it.” The demanding note in her voice surprised even her. It definitely surprised Jake by the way his eyebrow lifted, but he didn't appear angry. She had laid down her gauntlet. How he was going to play out her challenge would remain to be seen.

He chuckled and kissed the top of her nose. “This is not just sex.” His lips moved down the slope of her neck. “You say it.”

She shivered. The man certainly knew how to drive her wild with kisses, and with the way his lips connected with her skin, she didn't care what words were said.

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