Page 61 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

And I can’t imagine a time when that won’t be true.

A growl vibrates from deep within his chest as I stare my fill. After a handful of silent seconds, he grows impatient and swallows up the distance between us with three long-legged strides. Once he’s close enough, both hands settle on my shoulders and he spins me around until my spine is to him. Before I can ask what he’s doing, his fingers settle at the clasp of my bra and fiddle with the latch.

The elastic band that stretches around my ribcage springs apart and the thin straps slither down my arms. His fingertips glide across my skin, knocking the undergarment away until it falls to the carpet. My gaze gravitates to the mirror across the room and I watch as his face lowers to the gentle slope of my shoulder. His lips ghost across my shivering skin. Even though I’m freezing, the warmth of his breath and mouth do the impossible and heat me from the inside out.

That’s all it takes for the world to go dark.

He gently pulls the rubber band from my hair before carefully fanning the wet strands out around my shoulders. His fingertips trail down my arms and sensation ricochets within me. I love the way his touch gentles when that’s what I need and turns demanding when that’s what I want. Somehow, he understands my desires without me verbalizing them.

The longer he hovers at my back, the more tension crackles in the air that surrounds us. Just when I can’t take another second of this exquisite torture, his fingers slip into the waistband of my drenched panties, slowly sliding them down my hips, over the curve of my ass, and finally thighs. The thin cotton drops to my ankles where it settles.

And then I’m as naked as he is.

A guttural groan escapes from him as his large hands encircle my waist and he drops to his knees. His mouth presses against my chilled flesh as his teeth scrape against one tightly-clenched cheek before giving the same attention to the other. His hands glide from my waist to my backside before cupping the roundness and squeezing it in his palms.

“Such a perfect, heart-shaped ass,” he murmurs thickly, sinking his teeth into me.

That’s all it takes for my self-control to snap and a moan to erupt, filling the charged atmosphere that crackles around us. Any moment, it’ll burst into flames, and we’ll go up in smoke.

He peppers more sweet kisses against me, kneading the muscles, banishing the thick tension until it becomes a challenge to remain upright. Only then does he press his lips to each rounded curve before straightening.

His hands settle on my shoulders and turn me until our gazes can lock. The hunger that glows in his heated green gaze is enough to steal my breath away. One arm slips around my waist as the other slides beneath my knees. In one swift motion, I’m hoisted off the floor. It takes less than a dozen steps for us to reach the clawfoot tub, which is filled with steaming water, making the bathroom feel warm and toasty.

Austin sets me down on the mat before leaning over the edge and testing the water. Once it’s an acceptable temperature, he steps into the massive porcelain tub and extends a hand.

My body trembles, but I’m unsure if it’s from the impromptu swim in Lake Michigan or how tender Austin’s touch has turned. As I gingerly step into the water, a hiss escapes from my lips as my foot is submerged in the translucent liquid.

“Is it too hot?” he asks quickly.

When I shake my head, his grip tightens around me and his other hand settles at my elbow to help steady me as I step fully into the water. The faucet continues to run and steam billows around us as he carefully eases himself against the curved porcelain.

A groan escapes from him as his legs widen to make room. “You need to warm up, and this will help.”

I swallow past the thick lump that has wedged itself in the middle of my throat, making it impossible to breathe, as I turn and slowly sink to the smooth bottom. His large hands wrap around my waist as he shifts me, arranging my body until we’re both submerged and the water can lap at my nipples. His thick erection presses insistently against my backside as his hands slip around my ribcage until both palms are able to cup my breasts. My muscles loosen as I recline until my head rests against the comforting strength of his chest.

“Why does this feel so fucking perfect?” he growls near the outer shell of my ear. The vibration of his words sends tingles scampering down my spine.

I don’t know, but it’s the same sentiment that’s fluttering around in my brain as well.

Before I can come up with a response, his fingers wrap around my nipples, pulling and tugging at them in tandem. They were already stiff from the cool air of the room, but the way he plays with me has them growing painfully erect.

All rational thought vanishes as I writhe against him, seeking out more of his touch. More of the sensations only he is capable of igniting within me. It’s impossible to imagine anyone else arousing my body to this kind of fever pitch.

Only Austin.

That thought is as terrifying as it is exhilarating.

“Do you have any idea how scared I was when you fell overboard?” he asks quietly, voiced filled with pent-up emotion.

A shudder slides through me as the memory crashes through my brain. The handful of seconds it took to hit the water and plunge beneath the frigid surface felt like an eternity that was over in the blink of an eye.

“I would have drowned if you hadn’t jumped in,” I admit softly. “I never learned how to swim.”

That confession has his arms tightening, the muscles bulging as he pulls me closer before pressing his lips against the side of my face.

“I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.” His mouth drifts along my cheek, peppering sweet kisses along the way. “You understand that, right?”

I twist in his arms just enough for our gazes to collide before nodding. As furious as he’s been, I know deep down that Austin will always protect me. Even when he’s intent on bringing me to my knees.

---