Page 36 of Rival Desires

I took a deliberate sip, letting the vodka linger on my tongue before swallowing. My gaze flicked to Cory, watching as his eyes traced the curve of my mouth. Once I was certain he was entranced, I slowly ran my tongue over my lips and leaned in, his alluring scent enveloping me. God, he smelled irresistible.

“Did you know,” I purred, aiming for a tantalizing tone, “that martinis are loaded with calories?”

His voice was gravelly. “Is that right?” I noticed the hand resting on his thigh clenched, revealing the tension within him.

“Mm-hmm,” I hummed in agreement, my eyes heavy-lidded. “Since you were late getting here, I’m already on my third. That’s a lot of calories. You wouldn’t, by any chance, be inclined to help me work off some of those, would you?”

“Three martinis, huh? That’s quite the feat.”

“Just the right amount,” I retorted, a flirty grin dancing on my lips. “I could rattle off the numbers from a hundred in reverse if you’d like. But don’t you dare ask me for the alphabet backward—not even when stone-cold sober can I pull that off.”

“Are we doing a round three? Is that what you want?” The fire in his eyes gave him away, swirling with anticipation.

“Round three of...?” I played coy, dragging out the suspense.

“Oh, come on,” he chuckled. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“Alright,” I confessed with a fake pout. “If I said no, I’d be lying through my teeth. And don’t be a smartass. You want it, too.”

A hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “Have we possibly reached the point where we can make it to an actual bed this time? I mean, I’ll always cherish the memories of you in my car and dressing rooms, but the thought of having the room and leisure to explore every inch of your delectable body is incredibly enticing.”

Hell yes.

“I’m all for that,” I murmured, searching my purse for my wallet.

“I’ve got it,” Cory interjected, silencing my protest with a sharp, commanding look that sent delicious shivers down my spine.

“Thank you,” I breathed, sliding off the stool. “Your place or mine?”

He considered it for a moment. “Whichever one’s closer?”

His place was just a five-minute drive away, and our enthusiasm trumped any second thoughts. As he swung into the private garage, I tried to steady my breathing as Cory killed the engine, and we climbed out of his car. The short drive had been filled with tension, our hands brushing against each other in the confined space, sending sparks of electricity through me with every accidental touch. Standing outside his apartment, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

“Are you sure about this?” Cory asked, his voice low and husky. I nodded, biting my lip as I met his gaze. The uncertainty I’d seen in his eyes earlier was gone, replaced by a smoldering intensity that made my knees go weak.

“I’m sure,” I whispered, reaching up to trace his jawline. He leaned into my touch, a soft groan escaping his lips as he pulled me closer. The kiss was slow and deliberate, a promise of what was to come.

We hustled to the elevator, and I’ll admit, I was tempted to give in to the urge to get down on my knees and acquaint myself with his taste, cameras be damned. But I somehow managed to keep it together…barely.

His hand tightened around mine, and I glanced over to see his eyes burning with desire. “The idea of shocking my new neighbors is pretty damn tempting,” he admitted, his voice a husky rasp in my ears, “but the only thing holding me back frommaking you scream right here is the thought of security guards getting an eyeful of your ecstasy on camera.”

“Damn,” I breathed out, squeezing my thighs together so hard I thought I might bruise them. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Patience, my dear,” Cory said with a grin that sent chills down my spine.

If his place had been any higher than the third floor, I might have actually given the neighbors a show they’d never forget. But luckily (or unluckily), we reached his door just as I was considering it, and before I knew it, we were practically tripping over each other, stumbling into his apartment.

The door had barely shut before his lips were on mine, eager and ravenous. That elevator ride was like pouring gasoline on our already blazing hormones, in the sexiest way possible. Our tongues were doing the tango like they’d been practicing their whole lives for this very moment. The outside world? Poof, gone. All I could think about was the way his cologne smelled like sin and how good his hands felt on my waist.

His fingers traced a path up my sides, eliciting shivers that danced down my spine as they lightly grazed the undersides of my breasts. I let out a gasp into his mouth, and he seized the opportunity to delve deeper into our kiss, his tongue exploring every nook and cranny of mine. My hands wandered over his broad shoulders, reveling in the firmness of his muscles beneath his shirt. I was hopelessly consumed by him, and it seemed the feeling was mutual.

He pulled away just long enough to growl in my ear, “I’ve been dying for this all damn week.” The warmth of his breath on my skin set off a fresh wave of lust, and I moaned. He must’vetaken it as a green light because before I knew it, he’d scooped me up like a sack of potatoes and was carrying me towards the bedroom. We collapsed onto the bed in a tangled heap of limbs and lust like two starving animals. His hands were everywhere like he couldn’t get enough of me. I was no exception, my own hands roaming over his chest, abs, and then...lower.

He groaned as I reached the waistband of his pants, and I smiled against his lips. “Patience, my dear,” I teased, echoing his earlier words. He growled in response, rolling us over so that he was on top. He pinned my hands above my head, his eyes blazing with desire as he looked down at me.

Cory’s fingertips danced along my cheekbone, sending shivers down my spine. His deep, gravelly voice rumbled, “Get naked. I want you on my face.”

I wasn’t one to argue with that. But I enjoyed teasing him a bit. I loved how his confidence sometimes faltered, and it was refreshingly human in a guy like him.

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