Page 79 of Seren

I swallowed hard as butterflies fluttered in my belly. I lifted a hand to his cheek, gently letting my fingertips trail over his freshly shaven cheek and jawline. “You’ve got a big football career ahead of you.”

“So?”

“So, I’ll just be a state away. That’s all.”

His mouth turned down as if he expected me to say I’d drop all of my plans to follow him and his dreams. He had to know I wasn’t that girl.

I lifted my other hand, now cupping both of his cheeks. “Looks like we’re just gonna have to make the most of our time together now.” I urged his mouth down to mine and met his lips in a slow kiss. I was in charge, taking my time and exploring his mouth as if it was the very first time. He let me lead, a willing recipient as I teased his bottom lip between mine before moving to his top lip. I wanted to go all-in, but the torture of going slowly—of savoring each second—was causing my heart to race and my body to hum. I slipped my tongue between his lips, moving in a slow tangle with his. He played along, his hands gliding down my lower back, gently coasting over my ass until he scooped me up in his arms.

I giggled against his mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck. My flowy dress allowed me to easily wrap my legs around his waist. Maybe not the most lady-like move, but we were alone, and I really liked knowing that we were.

Seren moved us toward the huge heap of pillows in the corner of the treehouse. He sat down on them with me straddling his lap. His hands lifted to my face and, as if a magnetic pull controlled us, our lips collided in an intense explosion of want, need, and excitement. I fumbled for the buttons on his shirt. Seren stopped kissing me, grabbing my wrists and holding them where they were. “Grace?”

“Seren?”

“What are you doing?”

“You know what I’m doing,” I said, my chest rising and falling at an alarming rate.

“But do youreallyknow what you’re doing?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly.

“God, I hope not.”

He shook his head, amused. But the amusement quickly faded from his face. His eyes became serious and focused solely on mine. “I do not expect anything tonight.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” I asked.

His brows shot up. “You’re looking for fun?”

“I’m looking for something,” I said, unsure where my candor had come from.

His lips slid into a cocky grin. “Well, I can definitely give you something.”

My belly dipped as he slipped off his jacket and tossed it aside. He loosened the knot of his tie, ready to remove it when my hand shot out and stopped him. “Leave it on.”

A flash of intrigue crossed his eyes.

I watched as he unbuttoned the buttons down the front of his shirt, each revealing more and more of his chest. Once they were undone, I pushed his shirt wide open. I couldn’t stop myself from admiring the perfection that lay underneath as I pulled off his first sleeve then the other, leaving the black tie around his neck.

“Your turn,” he said with a grin.

I swiveled on his lap, offering the back of my neck where my dress was clasped. He undid the first of the three clasps as I held the front of my dress to my chest, knowing as soon as all three were unfastened, the dress would fall away from me. His fingers brushed the back of my neck, and a shiver scampered down my spine as he unclasped the second one. My pulse spiked as he unfastened the last clasp. I turned back to him, my arms crisscrossing my chest to hold the dress to me.

His eyes were on mine, eager for me to undress, but I wasn’t that bold. I grabbed his tie and pulled him forward, pressing my lips to his as I wrapped my arms around him. Thankfully, my dress was held up by our bodies. I couldn’t get close enough and could feel his want for me between my thighs as he kissed me like he needed me to breathe. His hand slipped under my dress, and he squeezed my ass as we continued kissing. I shifted my hips, rocking back and forth over his erection. He groaned against my mouth which only urged me on.

He eventually tore his lips from mine and buried them in the crook of my neck, peppering my skin with open-mouthed kisses that made me dizzy. “Jesus, Grace.”

There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that no one would ever make me feel the way Seren was making me feel in that moment. He wanted me. All of me. And I wanted to give him that. “Do you have a condom?” I asked, though as soon as the words left my lips, a vision of the huge box under his bathroom sink flashed in my mind. I shook off the thought, knowing it would only cause me to push him away. And, the SerenIknew was not the one I first met.

He reached in his back pocket and pulled one out, tossing it beside us. Of course, he came prepared. He seemed to plan each of his moves carefully. That’s why he was so baffled by me. He hadn’t planned on me.

Seren grasped my shoulders, gently guiding me off his lap. I held my dress up to keep it from falling down as I watched Seren stand. My breathing was labored and my eyes hooded as I watched him close the trap door to the treehouse and twist the lock. I hadn’t even realized it had a lock. He slipped off his black shoes before turning back around. He unbuttoned his pants and lowered the zipper as he watched me watching him. He pushed down his pants and black boxer briefs and stepped out of them. He had so much more resolve than me because my eyes went right to his erection, standing tall against his stomach. My eyes flashed up to his. He wore a smirk, clearly not minding me staring. He reached down and grabbed himself, pumping his hand a few times. The ache between my thighs came hard and fast. I let my dress fall away from my chest, pushing it down the rest of the way until I wore nothing but my pink thong. Seren’s breath caught in his throat before he moved toward me, easing me back on the pillows as his body covered mine. His thumb brushed over my cheek as his eyes riveted between mine. “I’ve got you, Grace.”

I swallowed hard. “I know.”

He leaned down and captured my lips. One of his hands slipped between my legs. I sucked in a sharp breath when he pushed aside my thong and his fingers slid across my wetness, gliding back and forth.Oh, God.My head dropped backward as my eyes snapped shut. His lips abandoned my lips, sucking his way down the front of my neck. At the same time, his fingers plunged inside me, moving in and out in a slow rhythm. Tingles built with each brush of my clit. I began to pant, but I was too overwhelmed with sensations to be embarrassed. I was there for it. I was so there for it. Before I realized what he was doing, he’d removed his fingers and my thong. My eyes popped open.

“You ready?” he asked, his face lingering over mine.

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