Page 74 of My Everything

My eyes flitted over his wound, to the bruised skin around it, then to the arm he held in place over his toned stomach—then further down. I tore them away just as fast, only to find them drifting back.

“It’s too late to be shy now.” His voice was low, husky, caressing me with their power until I trembled.

I locked my gaze on his face and let the towel drop. It pooled around my feet, reminding me of what I was doing. My fingers trembled as I reached to unclasp the bra, and let it fall to the floor as well. Then I peeled off the panties and straightened to my full five feet three. I held my breath. How tall was he? If it was possible to shrink, I would have. My body may be bare, but it wasn’t what made me feel naked. It was the way he looked at me. As if he saw beyond my skin. I never felt so exposed. So small. My legs started to quiver under his steel gaze. His eyes roamed over me. I whimpered. Needing more, but also afraid. If he touched me, really touched me—how would it feel? Did he want to?

“You’d be on the bed screaming my name if I could lift you.”

My breath came rushing back, escaping in a gasp. Why did he have to speak like that? It was too much. The images he planted in my head made my pulse quicken further. It tapped against my temples, matching the throbbing heat between my legs.

I wetted my lips as he grew hard again.

“Fuck,” he hissed. “I can’t control myself when I’m with you.”

I gulped. He didn’t need to. Swallowing the fear and uncertainty, I moved toward him. He was still fighting this? After what we just did? Frustration stirred within me, slowly replacing the nervousness.

He shook his head, warning me. “Kaylie.”

I trailed a red fingernail down his chest while keeping my eyes on his face. “It’s too late to be shy now,” I repeated his words back to him, and he chuckled.

“I’m not shy.”

“Then why don’t you touch me? I know you want to.” I slid a hand down his tight stomach, trying not to shudder from the feel of those abs rippling under my fingertips.

“Of course, I fucking want to,” he growled. “It kills me not to—” He let out a ragged breath, then stunned me with his words. “I’m not ready toloveyou.”

My mouth fell open.Love? Me?Was that a confession? Did he… A smile tugged at my lips despite his shutting me out.Love.

Then I stunned myself by whispering, “You don’t have to.” I stepped closer, shivering from the feel of him pressed against my stomach. As much as I craved love and belonging. Right now, I’d settle with…sex. “It’s just sex,” I breathed. “It’s just—”

“Not anymore,” he rasped, cutting me off with honesty so raw it made me whimper. “Not with you.”

Oh my God.

“Marc,” I breathed his name against his chest, making him shudder under the soft air. His hands landed on my shoulders, one running down my back and my body exploded in sensations. My skin tingled in the wake of those strong hands, and I shivered and burned under his touches. It was better than I imagined. Better than anything. My body moved against him, needing more.

He stepped back, and my eyes darted down. He was right. He wasn’t shy, and he had no reason to be. He was freaking gorgeous. A perfect, sculpted body. Tanned skin stretching over tight muscles flexing under his strain to stay put. His chest heaved with heavy breaths, rolling his belly muscles with each exhale.Shit. I was staring. I wasswooning—desperately needing more of him.

“What’s holding you back?” I whispered, inching closer again. His words in the car resounded in my head.I can’t lose you too, and I suddenly got it.

I’m not ready to love you.

He wasn’t saying hedidn’t. But that he was afraid to. Afraid to love—and lose.

“Hey,” I reached out, placing a palm flat on his chest. His heart thundered under my skin. Hard. Strong. “Tell me to stop.”

The brief confusion on his handsome face made me smile. Then I gently pushed him backward. He shifted, letting me back him toward the door, across the tiny room, and stopped as his legs hit the bed.

“Tell me to stop and I will.”

A shudder ripped over him, but the words I expected never came.

“I know you’re scared,” I murmured. “I know you lost someone, and you’re hurting.” My eyes sought his, and to my surprise, he looked away. Avoiding my gaze. My truth. A soft gasp escaped my lips. I expected him to deny it. To snap at me and tell me it was bullshit.

“I’m not trying to push you, or force you, but I want you,” I whispered the words, adding with a blush spreading though my cheeks. “You’re so hard for me.”

He sunk to the bed, pulling me down with him. I landed on his lap, momentarily stunned into stillness from the sudden shock.Shit. What kind of crap was I telling him? Iwaspushing. And when he gave in, I wasn’t sureIwas ready. He was so close his breath tickled my lips, begging them to open. Little drops of water trailed down his skin, clinging to his strong jawline before letting go. My hand trembled as it reached out to keep the wet hair from dripping on his face. I raked it back, letting my hand stay as I shifted closer, adjusting myself against him. The ragged breath escaping his lips made me shudder and squirm.

“Kaylie,” he rasped. “Sit. Still.”

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