the pressure releasing only a small part of the ache between my thighs.
I slid my hands down his back, yanking the suspenders down over his shoulders, and beneath my touch, his impossibly taut muscles twitched, flexing against my fingers.
Was this moving too fast? What if all these feelings still aren’t enough for me to—
I grunted, squeezing my eyes shut against the nagging thoughts, as though darkening the room could also darken my mind.
With a deep breath, I drew my lips to his neck, kissing along the muscles there, roped with tension.
What if he grabs my hair again? What if he sees my scar? My neck was heavy as thoughts itched and threatened to push through.
Bad thoughts.
Doubtful thoughts.
Too many fucking thoughts.
No, not this time. I wasn’t going to let fear ruin this amazing night. There was no threat here. And as I pushed those thoughts away, it made room for something new—a feeling that was raw and fresh and made me feel more alive than I had in years.
I opened my mouth, deepening the kiss, sweeping my lips over his. Our movements morphed from frenetic to tender. We were surrounded by the satin and lace and ruffles of my skirt as it bunched around our waists.
Gripping the skirt at the back, he yanked it open with a growl, sending a couple of buttons scattering the floor. I gasped and looked down at the ripped skirt. “Reagan’s going to kill you,” I whispered.
“I’ll write the costume department a check,” he said and pulled it over my head, tossing it aside as his hands slid up my hips and sides with an admiring growl.
I speared my greedy tongue back into his mouth, licking over his. Lust, thick and heady, stirred in my chest, quickly followed by a flare of aching need. His eyes fluttered open as he pulled away from our kiss, I moaned, not ready for it to be over. Anticipating my plea, he captured my lower lip between his teeth as my breasts heaved with rapid breaths. “Shelby,” Tate said, and he sounded as unraveled as I felt.
I arched my back, and in doing so, despite the layers of clothing still between us, his erection pushed against my clit. I gasped with the sudden burst along all the nerves of my body.
He wet his lips, and his eyes were that impossible shade of blue. “Is this okay?” His grip on my waist was heavy, and when I looked down, I saw his white knuckles. What he really wanted to know was whether or not I was okay.
“Yes.” Gripping his hand in mine, I slid his palm up my torso, landing it on my breast. “So is this,” I whispered, squeezing for him. His fingers worked my nipple through my shirt, taking over where I had left off.
I moved my hand to his erection, sliding it over his shaft. “And this.”
His right arm trembled as he held his weight over me. “Shelby,” he said, “this doesn’t exactly feel slow.”
I grunted. Right now, slow was the last thing on my mind. I wanted fast and sweaty. I gripped him harder, and he groaned, dropping his head to my neck. “Are you sure?” The question was muffled against my shoulder.
“Yes,” I croaked. “If it’s too much, I’ll stop you, I swear—”
He leaned back, tugging his shirt off, and he had those old fashioned pants off in seconds. He pulled a condom from his wallet, setting it beside us on the coffee table, and in another quick movement, my tank top and bra were off, followed quickly by my yoga pants. A breath sucked quietly through his parted lips.
“No panties?” He shook his head as a bemused grin curved his lips. “You’re killing me Shelby.”
His lips came crashing down onto mine once more, and I tightened, throbbing for him. Moving down between my legs, he slid his tongue along my length.
Oh God. What if the same thing happens again? What if I start giggling like last time, or worse?
A bubble of doubt expanded in my chest. I needed to do something, fast, to change the pattern. Cupping his face, I pulled him back up to my lips and kissed him. “I need you inside of me,” I said. Taking the condom, I ripped it open and slid it on.
“Holy shit,” he whispered. “You are so hot.” He pushed gently inside of me, pausing halfway. One ache was replaced with an entirely different kind, and I gasped as he waited a moment before moving slowly. His