Page 35 of Purity

“But it isn’t just compassion. I’m a huge pushover and people pleaser.”

I lift my head and look into his deep brown eyes. They’re heavy-lidded and tender, and only belatedly do I realize that his warm fingers are caressing the skin around my ear. Liquid heat fills my belly in a rush.

“What?” His voice is thick.

I can’t allow myself to be this way anymore. I need to be assertive. I need to ask for what I want as if I’m worthy of it.

“I’m asking you again to take my virginity, and I want you to answer me this time. If you don’t want to do it, just tell me.”

Cole

My arms are around her, and the pads of my fingers are brushing against the soft skin around her ears. Fuck. What am I doing? How did I forget myself?

I can’t think when I’m close to her like this, and I need time to think. I can’t answer her now.

Not after the bomb she dropped earlier tonight. Having sex with her would mean so much more than what I thought when she first made her proposal.

It could be the beginning of something.

Fuck, my chest constricts tightly again. I could be with her. She could be mine.

But it would only be temporary.

I set my hands on her shoulders and go to gently push her away, but she holds me tightly. “We can’t talk about this now,” I say. “Not while you’re drunk.”

“If you’re not attracted to me, just say it.”

I want to throw my head back and laugh. How is she so wise about certain things and yet absurdly naive about others?

“Of course I’m attracted to you. You’re a beautiful girl.”

Her brow furrows. “I don’t think that means anything. You’re just trying not to hurt my feelings. I’ve seen you with women you want. You’re touchy. You can’t keep your hands off them, and you never touch me. At least, not normally.”

She runs her nails up the back of my neck, and I groan. I need to pull away from her, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

“I like touching you,” I say, “but I’ve always respected you too much—”

“Gross!” She wrinkles her nose.

I frown. “It’s gross that I respect you?”

“It’s gross that you think respecting me means keeping your hands off me, especially when I want your touch.”

Her hands glide down my back and she leans into me, humming as she nuzzles my chest with her nose. “You smell so good.”

My whole body grows stiff. “What are you doing?”

“I’m hugging you.” The sound is muffled against my shirt. “I think liking someone’s smell is a sign you really want them, don’t you? I’ve thought so many guys were good-looking over the years, but none of them have smelled as good as you. Do you like the way I smell, too?”

As if she cast a spell, her wonderful scent washes over me. I do love the way she smells, and I’m certain I would love the way she tastes too.

Fuck.

I hold my whole body rigid, resisting the urge to groan at the softness of her tits as they press against my chest. “You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I am drunk, but I know what I’m saying. Do you want me or not? Just be honest.”

Oh God. She’s killing me. And even her innocent mind probably knows it. There’s no way she could be pressed up against me like this without feeling evidence of how turned on I am. My rock-hard dick is probably digging into her skin through that flimsy dress.

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