Page 103 of Finding Layla

“Well, no, it’s not. But it’s my first timewith you. And that makes all the difference. I never cared so much about making a good impression on a woman before.” He grasps the hem of his T-shirt, whips it over his head, and tosses it on the floor.

My gaze drops to his chest, and I can’t look away. The lines and ridges of his body are stunning, his chiseled muscles well-defined. Now my heart is pounding for a whole new reason. I know I’m staring, but I can’t help it.

He places my hands on his chest, right over his pecs. His golden skin is taut and smooth. A thin line of dark hair travels from his abs downward, disappearing beneath the waistband of his jeans.

All of this is so unfamiliar. Butterflies are rioting in my belly, and I feel dizzy, and for a change, it’s not from low blood sugar.

He tugs lightly on the hem of my top. “Now it’s your turn.”

Take my top off?

My heart lodges in my throat. The thought of taking my shirt off in front of him terrifies me. I still have bruises, not to mention my Omnipod and glucose monitor. And I’m not fit and tone like he is. I’ve never lifted a weight in my life.

He takes my hands in his. “You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

“But I am ready. I want this. I’m just nervous. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“Disappoint me?” He laughs. “My god, you seriously have no idea. I could never be disappointed. I’ve never wanted anyone so much in my life.”

He’s lying.

Go away.

“Layla, you take my breath away. You have no reason to be nervous.” He stands up and pulls me close, his arms slipping around me. I can feel the heat radiating from his bare chest. And his scent does something deliciously wicked to my body.

His hands slide up into my hair. “How about we take this one step at a time? Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know. There’s no rush.”

“I’m not chickening out, Jason.”

“I didn’t say you were. I just meant maybe we should slow this down.” He pulls me close so that my chest is pressed against his. One of his hands grips the back of my head while the other one slips down the side of my torso, settling on my hip.

He kisses me, his mouth coaxing and gentle, covering mine and nudging it open. I gasp when his tongue slips inside my mouth, sliding against mine. The whole time he’s kissing me, I can feel his hardness through his jeans as it presses into my belly.

Feeling encouraged by his body’s reaction, I step back and quickly pull my top off before I lose my nerve. Cool air washes over my heated skin, making me shiver.

He gazes down at my peach-colored silk bra. The rounded tops of my breasts are visible. Jason sucks in a sharp breath as he unfastens my bra. The cups spring loose, and my bra straps slide down to catch on my elbows.

My breasts are exposed now, for the most part. He peels the bra off me and tosses it onto our growing pile of discarded clothing.

“You’re so beautiful.” As he cups one breast, his thumb strokes my nipple, which puckers into a tight little nub. “Your skin is so soft, so perfect,” he says as he brushes the peak.

Lightning rips through me, from my nipple to the hot, wet place between my legs. When a soft, plaintive sound escapes me, his expression darkens and his nostrils flare.

The next second, he’s kissing me again, his lips traveling from my mouth to my jaw and then down the side of my neck. His warm hands are splayed wide on my back, stroking my skin and causing more shivers to ripple through me.

Without warning, Jason sweeps me up into his arms and lays me on the bed. He unfastens my jeans and slowly lowers the zipper. When he sucks one of my nipples into his mouth, my back bows off the mattress and I cry out sharply, caught off guard by the intensity of the sensations.

My hands work their way up his arms, past his taut shoulders to his hair. He groans when I run my fingers through his hair and tug lightly on the short strands. The rough sound makes my insides melt and my knees turn to jelly.

He lays his forehead against mine, breathing heavily as he chuckles. “I’m not sure I’ll survive this.”

When he tugs my jeans down my hips and legs, I’m definitely having an out-of-body experience. It’s so unreal, part of me doesn’t recognize that this is even happening.

I’m practically naked now, lying on the bed in just my panties. It’s surreal. I never dreamed this would happen. And the way he’s looking at me takes my breath away. He’s looking at me like I’m—

Beautiful.

Herone word, spoken almost reverently, shocks me to the core. I don’t think she’s ever said anything kind to me before.

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