Page 52 of Loving You

He chuckled and smoothed his hand over my bottom. “It doesn’t matter what I’m normally into. Though, I’ll be honest—no, I wasn’t even thinking about spanking you. Either way, tonight, it’s about you and me. Finding what we’re intotogether.”

It wasn’t a question, but it alsowas, so I lifted a brow and squeezed his waist with my thighs. “Well, then, what are you waiting for? Why don’t you put me down and let’s find out?”

“Why am I not surprised you’re the one trying to give orders here?”

I rolled my eyes at him and waved my hand, internally scolding myself for not letting him have his fun before I turned the tables on him. But when that day came…

Look out, buddy.

“Fine. Proceed with your control-freakiness, Master Eric,” I teased.

Another growl from him was his only reply, but this time I could tell he was fighting a laugh at my sarcastic tone.

Then I was finally—fuckingfinally—flat on my back with this gorgeous man on top of me. Kissing me like his life depended on it, like he was drowning and I was air.

It felt the same way for me.

We’d spoken of shields before, but as Eric’s handsome face and broad shoulders blocked my view of the room around us, as his weight settled over me, all I could think about was thathewas the shield.

His body was a shield from the memories, his weight the protection from the darkness Icouldhandle on my own… but didn’t have to.

It was wild. This was the guy I once thought I hated because he was so steadfast and responsible that it grated on my nerves. And now?

He was my damn shield.

A sexy, grumpy, makes-me-want-to-dance-around-with-romcom-worthy-gleeshield.And not in a codependent way, either. I felt strong on my own thanks to his presence, and that meant more to me than he’d ever know.

When he suddenly disappeared, I let out a moan of protest and tried to grab for him again. But then his large frame loomed over me as he knelt on either side of my thighs, and his hands gripped the bottom of his shirt before he ripped it over his head in one fluid move.

Andholy hotness.

His shirtless form was even sexier from this angle than it had been on his patio that first night. Especially when paired with the impossible-to-miss outline of his dick straining against his pants.

Um, yes please.

I reached up to free him, but he shook his head. “You first. Let me see you. Let me see what’s mine, love.”

His gaze had already been dark and hungry, but when I slipped out of my clothes as he watched with clenched fists, I had the distinct impression this was what it felt like to be devoured inch by inch. I swore I could feel everywhere his eyes landed as they raked over me, and I moaned when he zeroed in on my breasts.

“Touch yourself, April. Show me what you like.”

With a sharp inhale, I did as I was told and ran my hands over my chest, squeezing and kneading the soft flesh, watching him watch me with primal focus. When I pinched one of my nipples between my fingers, one of his hands finally lifted from his side to stroke himself through his pants.

I wanted to free him.

I wanted to run my hand over his hard length, feel that hot, silky skin in my palm and watch his eyes glaze over as I worked him.

Hmm, maybe I could even take him into my mouth.

But he hadn’t allowed me to go there, and this was fun, so I continued rubbing my breasts and pinching my nipples, not feeling the least bit silly about hoping my actions would bring out another one of those hot-as-hell murmurs ofgood girl.

“Lower now. Show me how you want me to touch you. Let me see how wet you are,” he ordered.

Oh, how this man loves his games.

I was damn sure he knew how much I wanted him to cut the shit and take his pants off. He knew it was driving me to the point of insanity, and he fuckinglovedit.

And I… shit. I loved it, too.

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