Brody - Ellie Masters Page 0,69

unwavering acknowledgment that he can quickly turn the tables on me, but there’s something else there as well.

He wants to know if I want this; if I’ll initiate instead of him. An anguished expression steals across his face when I hesitate, a look of loss I can’t describe.

As I take all this in, my attention focuses on his mouth. On the full, pillowed lips, which drive me insane. On lips capable of wrenching the most base, most desperate, screams from my throat. Lips that chase, claim, and devastate. They’re dangerous and seductive. Which makes it hard to remain focused on what my head tries to tell me.

You can’t trust Brody La Rouge.

No doubt about that. He says things have changed, but words are easy and cheap. They cost nothing and fail to carry the weight of commitment and action. If I kiss him, he’ll dominate and destroy me. He’ll draw forth screams of unadulterated pleasure—from me. It’s not an if statement, but rather an absolute certainty.

My desire for Brody goes without question. My need to surrender—indisputable. My head tries to govern my next steps, but in this, I will fail.

I’ll fail because I’m desperately, and hopelessly, in love with Brody La Rouge. Even though I know he’ll hurt me, even though I know this is a bad decision. I can’t stop myself from leaning against his hard frame. I can’t stop my hand from lifting to thread my fingers through his dark hair.

“It’s not safe to kiss you.”

His low growl excites me, sending a lick of pleasure to my core.

“You know what I want.”

I do, and I know he wants nothing more than to take from me. He’s holding back, resisting his urges, while waiting for me to catch up. Only he doesn’t know I’m already there. I never fell out of love with Brody La Rouge. That is why he’s so dangerous.

While our gazes collide, his talented fingers knead along my spine, working out kinks I didn’t know were there. Each press of his fingers sends ripples of heat shooting through my body.

He claims an unfair advantage as my muscles melt beneath those magical fingers. His touch exceeds any other touch set upon my body, wrecking my ability to think as his fingers travel up and down my spine.

The devil incarnate, he lays siege to my senses, making it impossible to think and remember why I need to be careful around him. His hands move outward, fingers digging into my heated muscles, as he divides and conquers and stakes his claim.

“Tell me you want this. Tell me you’ll say yes.” His touch is everywhere at once, gliding from my back to my shoulders, dipping down to my waist, and wrapping around the flare of my hips. He forces my aching muscles to surrender beneath his touch. Each caress builds on the last, commanding nerves to surrender, skin to heat, and teaching my body to crave more of his devilish touch.

He knows how to touch me. How to stroke me. How to push my limits. Most importantly, he knows how to destroy me.

I’m at a disadvantage, and yet he places me in a position of power. This kiss won’t happen unless I make it happen. He’s waiting for me to give in to the desire swirling between us.

He knows exactly how to touch me. How much pressure to use. Which spots along my spine will make me sigh. The power he wields is beyond intense. It’s excruciating. Tantalizing. Seductive and captivating.

My body heats as his fingers continue their wicked dance, stroking along my back, sending tendrils of sensation shooting to my core.

“Brody…” I barely recognize my own voice.

He grasps my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting my face to meet his steely gaze.

“Kiss me, Grace.” Low, guttural, fully aroused, and one hundred percent male, his command causes a shift within me.

“I can’t.” If I do, then it’s an admission I want this. That I want him. I’m not ready to acknowledge this truth. Not yet. I harbor resentment and pain, and—holy hell, I need him to stop that maddening swirl of his thumb over my lower lip.

“Kiss me.” He repeats the command and presses the pad of his thumb between my lips.

When he glances at me, our gazes collide, and I clamp my teeth down on my lower lip.

“I’m barely holding on, luv. If you don’t kiss me, I’ll spin you around and take what I want. But I’m warning you…” A low growl emanates from his throat. “What