Page 43 of A Taste of Trouble

“Yes.” His lips made their way down her neck toward her collarbone. “You do.”

Then take me home. “And why would I do that?”

His grip tightened around her hips and he leveled her with a hungry stare. “Because from the moment I touched your hand on the street, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you.” He moved his head so his mouth was right up against her ear. “I think about the sounds you make when I touch you.” His fingers dug into her hips. “I think about how your body would fit perfectly under mine.” His whole body was now pressing firmly against her. “I think about how beautiful your face would be when you come.”

“God…” Her head fell back and her core ached. Surely he knew he was breaking her down.

“But most of all I think about how your eyes are dim, but sometimes, for a brief moment, you let me behind that wall and I can see them sparkle. Those brief moments make me want to know everything about you.”

She gripped the wall with both hands to keep from toppling over. He really did see through her.

His thumb brushed against her bottom lip. “I know you're not looking for a commitment. We can just take it slow.”

Slow? Commitment? These words were so foreign. He might as well have been speaking Spanish. But those well thought out words of seduction had achieved their intention. All he had to do was tug on her hand and she'd follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked it of her.

Taking her head in both hands, he steadied her face to look him directly in the eye. “I think it's about time we gave in to this chemistry between us, don't you?”

She couldn't form any words. She just nodded as his lips came down on hers.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when they finally returned to the table. Liv felt the redness in her cheeks when she approached and saw the grins of her friends. Jake sauntered up to the table beside her, a devious smirk on his face.

Austin gave her a knowing glance. “What do you say the three of us head home?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Patti stood, pushing in her chair.

“I think we're leaving Liv in capable hands,” Brett said as he followed the two toward the front door.

Watching her friends leave the bar, Liv was conflicted. She wanted desperately for them to force her to go home alone. It would be the easy way out. But the closer they got to the front door, the more her insides burned with desire at the thought of Jake in her home, on her bed, whispering for her to fall over the edge. She locked eyes with him and he motioned to the door with a tilt of his head.

Tonight was the night. She was finally getting what she wanted.

Chapter Ten

Tonight was the night.

The click of the lock on Liv's front door echoed in the hallway, like a prison door opening for the first time in decades. This was the first time she'd ever had a man in her condo, besides Brett and Austin.

She stepped through the doorway, tossing her keys onto the hallway table. Her breath hitched when the door closed behind them, locking them in, solidifying the events that were about to take place.

He grabbed her waist from behind and nuzzled her neck, his hot breath sending a shiver down her spine. This man—the one that made her want to throw out all of her rules—made her heart flutter, her pulse race, her blood boil.

He tested her control. Pushed her, edged her across her own line of comfort. And here he was, in her condo, about to be allowed entry into her bed.

Turning her slowly in his arms, Jake melded their bodies together. His hands were strong against her, but he took care, knowing all the right spots to caress.

His moist lips invited her to taste, and the overwhelming need was too great. She grabbed his shoulders, pulling him down until his mouth was inches from hers.

Jake's finger found the underside of her chin and lifted, forcing her to look him in the eye. His smile warmed her. And not in the heated, needy, sexual way she expected. It warmed her heart. With every minute they spent together, this man was breaking down every barrier she had ever built.

He leaned in, and Liv expected him to invade her mouth. Her stomach tightened at the thought of his lips finally on hers. She opened wide, but instead of the intense pressure she expected, he was tender. The intensity was still there but this time, instead of being fueled by animalistic desire, emotion took over.

His every thought, his every feeling, singed her lips and she gave herself over to him.

“You want me?” he whispered in her ear.

“Yes.” At this moment, she'd never wanted anything more.

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