Page 32 of Crave

He surveyed her slowly. His gaze set her whole body on fire. That mischievous smile flickered over his face.

“Button your coat, sweetheart,” he said. “We’re going home.”

He held her hand firmly as they left the bar. Mist dampened the air, and streetlamps cast pools of light in the early evening.

Mia stiffened as Aaron led her confidently down a maze of streets. God, she was trusting him completely. A week of dirty texts, a sense of safety because she’d liked him as a professor — was that enough to go on?

He squeezed her hand. “Okay, baby?”

“I’m nervous,” she blurted.

“In a good way or in a bad way?”

“I’m not sure.”

He stopped and took her face in his hands. “We’re not going to do anything you don’t want to, sweet girl. We can stop any time.”

“Does that turn you on that I’m nervous?”

His eyes crinkled, and she immediately felt better. “When you’re shy, absolutely. Worried, no. Are you sure about this?”

She nodded vigorously.

“Good.”

“What do you like about me being shy?” she ventured, as they slowed in front of a narrow building and turned in the front gate. Her heart pounded at the thought of going into Aaron’s house…stripping naked for him…

He considered her. “It’s sexy to know that you have layers and you’re peeling them back for me. I’m shy too.”

Mia gaped at him. “Shut up. You are? I can’t believe that. You seem so confident. So in control.”

“Years of practice.” He winked at her. “Every semester on the first day of classes, I get nervous. Have to give myself a pep talk in the mirror and run a few miles. Can’t eat, can’t sleep.”

She eyed him suspiciously as he unlocked the front door. “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

His smile made her melt. “Is it working?”

His flat was attractive: brick walls, plants in the corner, records scattered on the coffee table. The cozy mess made her feel at home. But she barely had time to take it in, because he tossed his coat on the couch, backed her against the wall and covered her mouth with his.

The kiss took everything and left her gasping.

“I know you’re shy, baby.” He loomed over her with a devilish smile. “But right now, I want you to undress for me.”

She turned bright red. Even though she’d shown him everything on camera already.

“I want to,” she blurted, “but I’m scared.”

He took her face in his hands. “Mia, you asked me to teach you.”

“Then help me do it.”

He kissed her more softly, his lips grazing hers, as his warm hands cupped her face. Slowly, they moved down her neck, unbuttoning her jacket. When it gaped open, he slid his hands inside to rub her shoulders.

Bit by bit, Mia relaxed. The kiss became harder, deeper, more passionate. His hands moved to her collarbone. Then her neck. Then her cleavage, stroking her breasts above her low-cut shirt, slipping down every so often to graze her nipples through the clingy fabric.

Dimly, she understood what he was doing. He was getting her accustomed to his touch. Making her want more, to the point where she’d ask. Even beg.

She tore her mouth from his. It wasn’t easy.

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