Page 13 of Tease

As nervous as I was about kissing this man, I couldn’t take the fact he was treating me like I was porcelain. I’d always craved something rougher. There was nothing fragile about me. It made me push my tongue into his mouth. I didn’t need sweet and caring kisses right then.

Another rumble left his chest as he got on board with the program. He deepened the kiss, tangling his tongue with mine. I could feel his need now, pressing into me like I was the only thing he wanted. Without thinking about it, my leg curled over his hip to bring him closer. I panted into his mouth. My blunt nails dug into his scalp, the craving for so much more threatening to burst through.

It was then he drew back, blinking rapidly as he did it. I didn’t want him to stop. I needed it to go on. For him to touch me and make the ache between my legs disappear.

Arlo stared at me with wide eyes, like he was seeing me for the first time. Like he couldn’t believe I’d kissed him back the way I had. He had no idea how long I’d wished for it.

“I take it this means you like me,” he said in a quiet voice.

I nodded, and he released a breath.

“I could kiss you all day.”

Then why don’t you?

I knew why. I had work, and he was here to protect me, not make out with me in my bed. And I’d want more than kissing. Staying in bed would include naked bodies and tangled limbs if I had anything to do with it.

He let go of my hair and stroked my face.

“I don’t want to fuck anything up, so I’m going to let you get dressed while I go take a shower, okay? Then we can talk.”

The thought of him leaving me, even for a short time, punched a hole in my chest.

“A-A-Arlo…”

His lip twitched.

“Yes?”

I moved closer and pressed a kiss to his mouth. He smiled when I pulled back.

“You don’t want me to go?”

I shook my head, making him smile wider.

“I see.” He ran his teeth over his bottom lip. “Well, if I promise after I get back, I’ll kiss you before we talk, will you let me go?”

I looked away, burying my face in the pillow.

“Okay,” I told him, my voice muffled by the fabric.

He chuckled and stroked my hair. Then I felt him move and heard him climb down the ladder. It took me a minute or so to compose myself before I got out of bed. He’d already left the room. I went over to my wardrobes, pulled out a fresh set of clothes and got dressed. Then I wandered over to my computer and turned it on. I’d need breakfast, but I wanted to get set up before he came back.

I sat in my desk chair, picked up my glasses and shoved them on. I brushed my fingers over my lips like I could still feel the phantom touch of his. Even though I was screaming inside over him kissing me, I wanted more. Waiting years for something to happen had only made me impatient now he’d made it clear he liked me. I couldn’t fault him for it, though. He clearly wanted to do this right.

When Arlo came back into the room, he was freshly showered and dressed. His hair was still wet. It was the first time I’d seen it when he’d not styled it. It fell in his eyes and, holy shit, I didn’t think I could take how attractive it made him.

“You going to come here, or do I have to come to you?” he asked as he leaned against my bed frame.

I turned my chair to face him but stayed where I was. The way he smirked had my heart beating faster. He shoved off the frame and came closer, bending over and placing his hands on the arms of my chair on either side of me.

“Mia bellaRina,” he whispered.

I shivered at him calling me his beautiful Rina.

He leaned closer until our lips met. And I moaned when he parted mine with his tongue, owning my mouth with his touch.

“Mia preziosaRina,” he told me between kisses. “Mia caraRina.”

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