Page 25 of Loving Lex

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s just some bullshit other people have made you feel about yourself. Because, from where I stand, you’re so much more than aquintessential rich girlor a pair of tits. Yes, you’re fucking gorgeous, but you’re also smart as hell, funny, kind. That’s worth something in my book. If you don’t want to work showing your tits and getting groped at Cameo, you shouldn’t have to, and don’t let anyone tell you different.”

Her mouth opened but she snapped it shut, shaking her head as she averted her eyes. It was obvious that she wasn’t used to compliments. Not real ones that mattered.

“Now. Try again.” I waited until she looked back at me. “Something real about yourself.”

“Like what?”

I shrugged. “Anything.”

“Like my favorite ice cream is rocky road?”

“That’s a start. Got anything better?” I smiled and let my thumb trail up her ribs to brush under her breast.

Her hands automatically moved to my waist. “I—I love animals. I’ve always wanted to work with animals and have lots of them at home.” She sucked in a breath when my fingers brushed her nipple. “It makes me sad that we can’t have pets here at the apartment.”

“Perfect.” I rewarded her by yanking her tank top off, tugging the cup of her bra down, and swooping in to take a nipple into my mouth.

“Oh, God.” Her fingers twisted in my hair, pulling me closer.

I sucked harder and deeper, and my duchess moaned, proving my girl liked it a little bit rough. I switched to the other breast, giving it equal treatment before pulling the lace back over her perfect peaks and starting a slow move down the hall to what I hoped was her bedroom.

Our lips clashed in another bruising kiss as she helped guide us into a room that was soaked in her scent, and we tumbled onto her bed that was gilded in the gentle light of the moon from her open blinds.

She rolled us until she straddled me and stared down into my face, her eyes serious. “Real is hard for me, Lex.”

I tightened my hold on her hips, understanding her more than I wanted to. “Me, too.”

She kept her gaze locked on mine for a long time, neither of us moving, our breathing the only sound other than the muffled hum of traffic outside.

I took in her simple white lace bra, the taper of her ribs to waist, the flare of her hips. The million unspoken things shining in her eyes—namely that she was nervous and scared but fighting to be tough and wanted to be in this with me. That humbled me more than I could express in that moment.

I ran a finger under the strap of her bra. “May I?”

She swallowed. Nodded.

Gently, I slid the straps down and unhooked the front snap, letting it fall, exposing her perfect breasts. Yes, I’d seen them before, but for some reason she seemed anxious. I cupped one reverently. “You’re stunning.”

“Shut—”

“Don’t.” I hushed her automatic denial of my words. “Let me look at you. Let me tell you what I see. And don’t call me a liar.”

She bit her lip but didn’t say another word as I shifted us to finish undressing her, pressing kisses to each slice of exposed flesh. She was a fucking goddess, I was the luckiest man alive, and I made sure to tell her so.

When I was between her thighs, my hot breath on her bare pussy, she began to writhe expectantly, her breathing heavy.

I ran a blunt fingertip down her seam, collecting the wetness that was there just for me, then sucked it deep into my mouth. “Beautiful and delicious,” I murmured.

“Please...” she moaned.

I pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her inner thigh. “Since you asked so nicely, Duchess.” Then I dove into her with all the finesse of a starving man, licking and sucking and circling her clit with the tip of my tongue until she was quivering and bowed up beneath me, begging wordlessly for release.

I slowed my roll and drew back to look up at her face. Eyes closed, cheeks pink, mouth slack with lust.

Slowly, her eyes slid open to focus on me.

“You want something real, Shay?” I murmured. “Keep your eyes on me when you come. Share it with me.”

She studied me for a moment, but eventually, wordlessly, she shifted to prop another pillow behind her head and opened her legs wider. She ran one hand through my hair. “Don’t hurt me, Lex.”