Page 33 of Contact

“Wow,” she said.“You’re good at that.”

You’re a quick study.Hadn’t she said that the night before?He pushed aside the otherwise unpleasant memory those words brought out, focusing on the sight in front of him.“I had to stop,” he murmured.

“Too intense?”She gave a knowing look at his groin.

He nodded.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” she said softly.“We could just kiss and explore each other.No pressure at all.”

Rhys couldn’t think of anything better in that moment.“Should we go to your bedroom or mine?”

“Mine,” she said automatically.“You’re in my parents’ room.”

“Would that be weird?”he asked.

“Very.”

She grabbed his hand and led him out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

Hannah turnedon the wall lamp next to her bedroom door.She climbed into bed and held the covers open for Rhys.“Room for one more.”

He hesitated for half a second before sliding in next to her.He took up most of the bed, and she shifted onto her side.This time, he was the aggressor, his lips meeting hers and hands reaching to rest on her hips and pull her closer to him.Goosebumps popped up along her skin, and she was very aware that only thin material separated them.Her hand slid along his shoulder, over his chest to his stomach, causing his breath to stutter.

Her fingers stilled.“Should I stop?”

“No,” he murmured against her lips.He shifted, one hand moving to rest against her hair.

Hannah dared to slide her hand lower, resting it at his navel.His whole body felt as taut as a wire, like he was ready to snap at any moment.Their gazes met, her brown eyes locking on to his, the irises a mechanical gray.The ports in his fingers lightly scraped against her skin where he held on to her, a touch she hadn’t known she would like until now.

“Hannah.”His voice was rough, a mixture of lust and shame.“I don’t know what to do next.”

Her heart ached for him.“It’s okay.Just tell me what feels good.”

His hand covered hers on his stomach.“There,” he said.“That feels good.”His other hand squeezed her hip.“This too.”

She grinned.“I’m thinking we’re on the same page.”

“I want to see you,” he said almost shyly.His fingers plucked at her nightshirt.“May I?”

Hannah nodded.Now, it was her turn to feel a little self-conscious; no one had seen her without clothes in years, and her body had changed.She was leaner, harder where she once had curves.She straightened enough to grip her shirt’s hem and toyed with it for a second, hesitating.

Rhys gave her a hungry look, bolstering her confidence.She pulled it over her head and exhaled shakily.

He stared at her for a moment, looking like he was a man lost in the desert and she was a long-awaited oasis.“You’re so beautiful,” he breathed.

“You’re not so shabby yourself.”She recalled Jasmine’s statement about wanting to climb her cyborg roommate “like a tree,” and bit back a smile at the memory.She fully understood the sentiment.His body was flawless, the components embedded in his skin only enhancing the effect.

His erection strained against his trousers, a testament to the effect she had on him.It was a heady, powerful feeling.She was curious about what that would feel like, but she kept her hand on his belly, measuring his quick, shallow breaths.

Rhys reached for her, fingertips grazing over her shoulder, to her collarbone, to the swell of her breast.Hannah shivered, surprised that such a featherlight touch could affect her so .Encouraged, he cupped her breast, drawing a mewl from her.It was a terrible tease.

She kissed him again, and his hand moved to cup her head.His tongue swept into her mouth, sending her pulse thrumming and senses on fire.She slipped her hand a little lower on his belly until it grazed his waistband, and he surprised her by covering it with his own and placing it over his erection.She gently stroked him through the fabric, a motion that had him thrusting into her hand and moaning against her lips.

He let her go long enough to push his trousers over his hips, freeing his cock.Hannah met his gaze again, seeking permission, and he raised his hips again, giving it.She wrapped her hand around him and experimentally slid it up and down.“Like that,” he breathed, his voice a hoarse, pained whisper.“Please.”

Hannah did so, watching his emotions play out on his face as she stroked him and slowly increased her pressure.He directed her, grasping her hand over his and sliding it up and down, his eyes never leaving her face.With his other hand, he grasped her breast, rolling and pinching her nipple between his fingers.A jolt of pure pleasure shot through her—where the hell had he learned to do that?

The motion had her arching her back and wishing she could straddle him, have him fill that aching spot that demanded it.But she stayed where she was.This was all about him tonight.

---