Page 14 of A Little Luck

“Hmm…” I like the sound of that. Leaning down, I lightly follow the line of her hair with my nose, stopping just above her ear. “We can keep it off the record.”

A shiver moves through her, and her fingers curl against the fabric of my shirt. “I don’t care about what they say. It’s just… It’s that you…”

Her eyes lower, and she doesn’t finish. I’m not sure what she doesn’t want to say to me. Is it what I’ve done? What I haven’t done? What else can I do?

Clearing my throat, I stop teasing. I want her to know I’m serious. “Everything I’ve done has been for you. When I went away, since I’ve been back. All of it.”

“I know.” She nods. “So much has changed. You’re different now.”

“I’m not entirely different.” I slide a lock of hair off her cheek, and her pretty eyes rise to mine. “I want you, Piper. For real this time. I want to spend the night.”

She swallows audibly, and her response aches my stomach. “Don’t say that. Not now.”

“If not now, when?”

Her chin drops, and her brow furrows. My jaw tightens, and I feel the beat of her heart through her breath, in her body so close to mine.

I should apologize. I don’t want to pressure her.

Swallowing the intense frustration in my throat, I force the words. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to push you, but it’s been three years. If it’s never going to happen for us, I need you to tell me.”

Her hand rises, and slim fingers rest lightly against my lips.

“Don’t apologize.” Her voice trembles, and her eyes, smoky gold with intense green, meet mine. “There’s just so much… and I know you’ve been patient. I’m so grateful for all you’ve done for Ryan and me. It hurts me to think I might never get past…”

Her chin drops and my heart drops along with it, but before I can reply, she rises to meet my lips. Her fingers clutch at my shirt, pulling me closer, and I grasp her waist.

Our mouths open, and when our tongues slide together, my body comes alive. My fucking dick jumps in my jeans. It’s not the first time we’ve stolen a moment, but I want more than kisses tonight.

I slide my fingers into her hair, curling them against her scalp. My thumb traces a line down her cheek, and I suck her bottom lip into my mouth.

Her back is to the door, and I press my body against hers, moving my teeth to her jaw, cupping her breasts in my hands through her shirt.

She’s precious and fine. She tastes like sweetness and honey and years of unrequited longing. Decades of desire crash through me like water over a dam, like fucking Niagara Falls, pulling me down.

I cover her mouth with mine again, tasting her tongue. A whimper slips from her throat, and it prompts a groan from mine. I lift her off her feet, and her legs go around my waist. Rocking her against my erection is tormenting pleasure mixed with pain. I could fuck her right here on this front porch, but what I really want is to take her inside and make love to her.

I want to have her sweet and savoring, then rough and raw. I want to make love to her all night and into the morning. I want to discover every part of her body that makes her moan.

Her hands grip my shoulders, but she turns her face, pushing against me. “Wait… Slow down.”

Stepping back, I lower her to her feet, but desire burns hot in my veins. We’re both breathing fast, but her head is shaking no.

“Why?” Lust thickens my voice. “What’s the matter?”

“I can’t, Adam.”

You can… It’s a primitive protest firing back in my brain. It’s completely inappropriate and wrong, but I can’t help myself. Frustration grinds my teeth as I struggle against the words trying to spill out of me.

Somehow, I manage to keep my tone gentle. “What else can I do to prove myself?”

She pulls away, killing me so thoroughly, it’s like she’s taken out a knife and carved a hole in my chest.

“I’m sorry,” is all she says.

Staggering back, I scrub my fingers over my forehead. A loose laugh rattles in my chest, and I have to go. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve shown my hand. I laid it all at her feet, and I’m still not enough.

“Okay.” Turning, I start to walk away, then I pick up speed.

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