He takes so much care not to bump against me, he’s so damn composed.
“I know what you need,” he tells me as he carries me to the bedroom.
I cling to him until he lays me down on the bed, and then I tug at his shirt, trying to bring him down on top of me. He smiles, unbuttoning the shirt as he slips out of my grasp.
“Careful,” he murmurs.
“What if I don’t want to be careful?” I ask, sitting up on my elbows and raising one eyebrow.
His shocked, serious expression is back. He blinks and it clears, but his gaze is darker, and his cheeks are flushed when he takes his shirt and holster off, laying them down on the dresser by the door.
“You should really clarify that statement, before I make claiming you and getting you pregnant tonight’s mission.” His voice turns into a sexy growl at the end, and though I’ve never thought far enough ahead to consider how I feel about having kids, I know in a heartbeat I want them with him.
“Well, I have the implant, so that second part’s not going to happen tonight,” I admit, angry that I consented to the device so damn long ago, thinking it was for the best because it was what my mother decided for me. “But I don’t care about the damned contract. We’re true mates, Russ, and I know how I feel about you. I know it’s risky, but I’m done letting my parents control me. I want this. I want you.”
Sitting up, I pull my shirt over my head and toss it to the floor, giving him a chance to take in my words and get over the shock of them before he reacts.
When I look back at him, he’s gazing at me quietly.
He’s burning over with a consuming desire that’s making my heart pound faster and my thighs clench, but despite my clear invitation, something’s holding him back. I know he’s used to doing what’s right, but he’s bent rules for me before.
We couldn’t have gotten so close if he hadn’t.
Maybe this is a step too far. I’m asking for too much.
“I want you to be sure, Zey,” he murmurs, as he moves toward the bed, unbuttoning his pants.
I let out a shaky breath, glad he isn’t getting cold feet. “I’m beyond sure.”
The way he looks at me … I know it’s what we both want.
“We can’t let anyone find out,” he reminds me.
“Besides Archer,” I confirm. “You can tell him, right?”
“Right,” he agrees. “I couldn’t not tell him. He’ll know as soon as he sees me.”
“He will?” I ask, not sure how.
“I don’t usually smile unless I’m with you,” he admits. “He’ll know.”
He kicks off his shoes and lets his pants fall to the floor before he thinks better of that move and puts them on the dresser. When he climbs onto the bed beside me, he’s wearing nothing but his boxer shorts, while I’m still topless in my slick-soaked sweats.
He moves next to me. “There are other things we can do, Zey. We don’t have to rush into this.”
“We can start with some of those things.”
“Lay down,” he orders, giving off serious Alpha energy.
Maybe his eyes are still sexy even when they’re not sparkling with good humor after all.
I do what I’m told, and he removes my sweats for me, moving between my legs, and parting them wider as he moves down.
He has his mouth on me before I can take a breath, and that touch makes sparks of desire erupt all over my naked body, inflaming my senses and making me desperate for more.
The briefest, softest kiss on my upper thigh is enough to make my whole body greedy for his attention. My fingers curl into his dark hair as he runs his tongue over my slick-coated thigh.
“Oh!” I gasp out as the sweetest, sexiest feelings roll over me.