clinging to Paige. When we get home, I want long, slow kisses, but I don’t want to kiss her in the car again.
It makes no sense. We only made out here a few days ago, but something’s changed.
Our next kiss has to be private, intimate, a sweltering secret only for us.
I can’t bear to share her with anyone else.
The Lincoln stops in front of my building a little while later.
“I’ve never seen you two so quiet. Hope everything’s okay with the company,” Reese says, peering over her shoulder at us as she puts the car into park.
I open the door and help Paige out.
“We’re fine, and Brandt Ideas has never been better.” My words are clipped. “Take the night off.”
The only thing wrong is having Paige too far away.
I wrap an arm around her waist, closing the distance between us. She’s tucked under my shoulder. We move in synchronized steps until we’re at the elevator.
Of course I stab the button to shut the door, shove her against the wall, and make her lips mine.
Of course I don’t tear myself away until we’re on my floor.
“Thanks for listening back there. I usually don’t talk about my past,” I say once we’re back in my place, closing the door behind us and bolting it.
“That was no way to grow up, Ward, and I’m sorry you had to endure it.”
“A lot of people lived a lot worse.” I glance away. “We didn’t grow up starving or being swapped around by sick pukes.”
She nods, teeth teasing her bottom lip and drawing my eye. “Maybe, but that doesn’t make what you went through easier. Everyone has problems.”
I grin. “Even a Wardhole?”
“I guess.” She gives an exaggerated sigh that turns into a grin.
“I have a problem right now.”
“What?” Her smile disappears and her eyes twinkle.
“You’re too far away.”
“C’mon. There are like two steps between us!” She takes another step into the living room, coming closer.
“Two steps too many.” I throw my arms around her from behind, pushing against her ass so she can feel how hard I am.
Her laughter rolls out of her like Christmas morning.
Turning her slowly, I pepper her head with kisses before I stop to stare into those big green eyes.
“What are you doing?” She whispers.
“Taking you to my room.”
“Straight to the point, huh, Lucky?” She pulls at my tie.
“No. I just—” I pause.
How do you tell a woman you’re bristling with agony every second her skin isn’t on yours?
A minute later, I lay her down on my bed and sprawl out beside her. Sliding an arm under her, I close my other arm around her. She’s pressed to me, this blond bundle I want to savor.
We’re tangled together like no tomorrow as our mouths go to work.
“This.” I kiss her forehead again, letting my lips linger. “This is all I need.”
I move my hand up her back and thread my fingers through gold silk, twining her hair in my fist. She gives me a boiling look when I pull, gently at first.
Her face goes rosy when she smiles up at me.
“Ward, this is nice. I feel safe with you.”
My grip tightens. I’m squeezing her closer to me, rumbling like thunder in her ear.
“You are, sweetheart. I’ll never let anything hurt you.”
Her lips find mine with a sweetness like a strawberry love potion.
The kiss is long, slow, infused with emotion I’ve never known. It’s so fucking intense I can’t help but squeeze her even closer, then worry my arms are too tight around her. But when I loosen my grip, she hugs me like she’ll die if I let go.
This is a woman like none I’ve known, and I don’t deserve her. The sympathetic ear, the comfort, it was never part of the bargain.
I deepen our kiss as my cock throbs with a fever, howling to be inside her. I’m gasping for air when I break away.
“Need to take my shirt off,” I grind out, eager to be free from my clothes.
“Let me,” she says.
I can’t say no to those playful eyes.
So I flip back, easing her up by the wrists, and let her go to work.
She doesn’t frantically rip it all off like she has before. Instead, she undoes each button with slow, almost loving precision. I sit up, allowing her to peel the shirt from my arms.
When I drop to the mattress again, I’m on my back, resting one arm on the bed. The other, ready to seize Paige for life.
Her soft face rests on my chest, planting sweet kisses. The