was and also the loss of so many years of his life. But there’d be time for sorrow and comfort that later. Right then, beneath the stars and twinkling lights, she couldn’t disrupt the magic brewing between them.
Curly lifted her hand off his chest and with his gaze locked on hers, pressed a long kiss to her palm. His tongue snuck out, tickling the skin, making her gasp. Then he took a step closer and kissed her wrist.
His broad frame stretched her legs even wider.
Next, his lips landed on her forearm, then the crook of her elbow, the sensitive skin of her upper arm, her shoulder…
Everywhere he made contact a spark of electricity buzzed along her nerve endings.
Brooke lifted her chin a fraction, inviting him to continue to her neck.
He hummed his approval then slid his tongue along her collar bone, drawing a shocked squeak from her. She curled her trembling fingers around the edge of the pool, holding on for dear life.
He kept going, kissing his way up her neck to her chin. Goosebumps erupted all over her body and she held her breath, afraid she’d miss something spectacular if she breathed.
After one final peck to the tip of her nose, he lined up their mouths and paused only a fraction of an inch away. He gripped the outside of her thighs and his eyes sparkled with roguish delight.
“Yes?” he asked in a whisper.
Finally, Brooke released the breath she’d been holding as she nodded. “Yes.”
She’d barely gotten the word out when he swallowed it with his mouth. His lips crashed against hers, hungry and hot. She opened for him, wanting everything he was willing to give. They groaned together as their tongues teased and played. The taste of the dark stout he’d drunk at the bar lingered, making her crave more of his flavor.
As he attacked her mouth like he was starving, his hands flexed against her thighs. She wanted them to reach behind her. She wanted to feel them gripping her ass and grinding her into him. But she’d never ask for it. She walked through life confident and sure thanks to years of therapy, but one area where she hadn’t conquered her insecurities was the bedroom.
Years of being told she was boring, unskilled, and unattractive had her afraid to truly let go. She’d worried about how she looked, if Evan was enjoying himself, if she was doing things right, if he was sleeping with someone else. Having an orgasm, or even enjoying the sex became impossible because her head never shut up and let her focus on the moment.
But now, she could think of nothing else but the man between her legs. Never had she been kissed like this. Like the man nipping her lips, delving his tongue into her mouth, and stealing her air couldn’t get enough of her. Like he loved her taste, her moans, the feel of her lips on his.
The longer they kissed, the needier she felt. An ache developed between her legs, intensifying with each sweep of his tongue. Finally, she gave into the urge to slide her hands into his curls and grip the damp strands. She’d never been able to do this with a man, and she freakin’ loved the way his hair felt between her fingers.
Curly groaned a long, tortured sound.
Emboldened, Brooke wrapped her ankles around his back and jerked herself forward against his body. Her stomach met the very hard length of his erection. She gasped into his mouth, making him chuckle.
Despite the urgency of his kiss, she hadn’t realized he’d been as turned on as she was. Guess she needed the firsthand evidence.
Curly rested his forehead against hers as he caught his breath. “Christ, you can kiss.”
The little compliment was like a straight shot of confidence to her soul.
“Pretty sure I’ve got nothing on you.” Oh, God, her hands were still clutching his hair as though she’d fly away if she let go. How embarrassing. “Uh, sorry,” she said with an awkward chuckle as she released him.
“Don’t be. Fucking love your hands in my hair,” he said, drawing back enough to see her face. “Why do you think I keep it long?”
“Well, I love your hair. It’s so soft.” The memory of her fantasies about his hair had heat rushing to her cheeks.
His eyes narrowed. “What was that?”
“Huh?”
“Your face got all red. You having naughty thoughts, Brooke?”
If there was enough room between their bodies, she’d have slid down into the water and never come up. Instead, she