Yeah, right. But just because he knew better didn’t mean he intended to stop himself and regret it for the rest of his sorry life.
He looked into her passion-filled eyes. Passion for him alone. “Lilly, I need you to be sure, because if we start something right now, there’s no way I’m going to be able to stop.” His words were as much a warning to her as notice to himself.
This would be it.
There would be no turning back.
“Oh.”
She waited, saying nothing more as his heart beat out a rapid, nervous rhythm.
He reminded himself that if she walked away now, he’d be no worse off than he was last night and the night before that. Hell, other than needing another ice-cold shower and suffering from even less hours of sleep, he’d probably be a lot better off. Because then he wouldn’t know what it felt like to make love to Lilly. To lose himself in her soft, moist flesh as he’d been dreaming of night after night.
“It’s probably a mistake,” she said at last, her voice soft.
“Definitely,” he agreed. Not that his aching body would agree.
She drew a deep breath and still he waited.
“On the other hand, I’ve wondered for so long.” Her fingers slid upwards through his hair.
Her hands were warm against his scalp and his nerve endings tingled as she playfully tugged and massaged with her fingertips.
He let out a long, slow groan. “I’ve wondered, too. I’ve asked myself what you’d feel like when I pulled you against me like this.” He cupped his hands around her, feeling the indent and definition of her waist, wondering what she’d feel like naked and writhing against his hardened groin.
She remained silent and despite the passing of years, he knew what she was thinking. Knew she struggled with the decision. He remained silent, wanting the choice to be hers. Wanting any regrets or morning-after thoughts to be hers alone, not something he’d induced thanks to his own state of pent-up yearning for this woman and this woman alone.
Because despite how still he stood, he was damn close to exploding. If she gave him the green light, he figured he’d barely make it past the couch to his bedroom a mere few feet away. He’d worry about his own regrets later and he knew he’d have more than a few.
“Lilly?” He was asking for her decision, begging actually, his voice a ragged sound he barely recognized.
“Ty,” she said softly. Seductively.Sincerely.
His groin responded, increasing the pressure as he waited.
She didn’t disappoint him. Without breaking eye contact, she reached onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips directly against his. She was hot for him, her mouth insistent, her lips telling him she was as eager as he. He slid his tongue inside, gliding back and forth, tasting her sweet heat for what seemed like an eternity, tongues tangling, dueling, embracing in a desperate bid for completion the likes of which he’d never felt before.
She pulled his shirttail from the waistband of his pants, settling her palms against his back. He loved the feel of her small hands caressing and kneading his skin. He loved the feel of her. He bit down on her neck to show her just how much.
“Mmm. Do it again,” she murmured on a low purr.
He obliged, grazing her with his teeth until she moaned with pleasure. His groin throbbed and he broke into a sweat.
Little buttons rose up the length of her dress and he started working on them, one by challenging one.
“There’s a zipper in the back that might make it easier,” she said, her eyes glittering with amusement.
He hurt too much to laugh. She turned and lifted her hair, revealing the tiny zipper and her slender neck.
He slid the hook down along her back but instead of sliding the dress off her shoulders, he first leaned forward and pressed his lips against her bared skin and lingered, nibbling at her soft flesh.
She shuddered and let out an erotic-sounding groan. He wanted to hear that noise again but this time he’d be inside her. Just not yet. He was beginning to discover how much he enjoyed foreplay with Lilly.
“You like this.”
“Mmm.”
Approving of her answer, he kissed her neck again, this time sliding his tongue over skin he’d tasted. He alternately nibbled and soothed until she writhed with pleasure, stepping backwards until her bottom came into direct contact with his straining groin.
He closed his eyes, savoring the desire building inside him. His hips jutted forward and he nearly came then.
He slid his hands around until he cupped her breasts from behind and discovered her nipples were drawn into tight peaks, begging for his attention and his touch. He didn’t know what she looked like nude though he’d imagined many times and dreamed about it even more. He needed to find out.
He turned her around before pushing the dress off her shoulders and watching as it pooled around her ankles on the floor. Reality proved even better than his dreams. Her breasts were fuller than he’d thought, her black bra pushing her breasts upwards until they appeared to overflow the lace-edged cups. Her face was flushed, the blush spreading down her neck to her chest and he couldn’t tear his gaze away.
She cleared her throat and his gaze shot upwards, meeting hers.
“You could say something,” she said, her embarrassment sweet and endearing.
“I might be speechless, but I’m not too stunned to do this.” He picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. The way he’d always dreamed of doing.
Nine
Ty’s bedroom had been his sanctuary since Lilly had come to stay with him. After tonight, he wouldn’t be able to escape her anywhere in his small apartment. Her scent and her touch would be with him wherever he went.
He strode into the room and placed her onto the mattress which dipped under their joint weight.
She pushed herself back, upwards against his pillows. “Is there a reason I’m the only one undressed?” She tossed the challenge his way, her hot gaze raking over him.
He grinned. “If you ask me, you’re still wearing way too many clothes,” he said, and eyed her, too, enjoying the sight of her in just a skimpy bra and panties. His gaze slid down her flat stomach and long legs, ending at her bare feet.
His erection strained against its confinement and he couldn’t deny she’d made a good point. He sat back and began unbuttoning his shirt, just one piece of clothing blocking him from getting closer to Lilly. He dropped his shirt onto the carpet before working on his pants. Undoing the button, he then hooked his thumbs into both the waistband of both his slacks and briefs, and together he threw both items into the pile along with the shirt.
To complete his mission, he added his socks, as well, then turned to face her.
She slid her tongue over her lips, her wide eyes pinned to his erection. His body was as hard as a brick, his need for her reaching the point of no return, yet he knew they’d never have these firsts again. And they’d waited too long to rush things now.
“Now who has too many clothes?” He cocked his head to one side, tossing the challenge back her way.
Her cheeks were flushed but a slow, seductive smile curved her lips as she reached for the front clasp of her bra. She turned her fingers to unhook the catch, shimmied her shoulders and let the garment slide down her bare arms. She dangled it from her fingertips in a deliberate show before adding it to the pile below.
Lilly held his attention completely, his gaze fastened on her freed breasts, creamy white mounds of tempting, full flesh, ready and peaked for his attention. But when he slid closer and reached out to remove her panties himself, she laughed and smacked his hand.
“I’m a big girl now,” she reminded him.
And how, he thought as she wagged a finger in a chiding motion. But apparently Lilly wasn’t finished and he sat back to enjoy, his cock hard and erect, desperately waiting to slide inside her wet flesh.