as well.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You just said—”
“I know what I said. And it didn’t include plans for sex. It just wasn’t…shit, I don’t know. I want you so badly that I ache with it. I’ve wanted you naked and under me the minute I saw you at Annika’s wedding, for Christ’s sake. Keeping my hands to myself has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Cool. Let’s not do that anymore, okay?”
“Do what?”
“Keep our hands to ourselves. I’m sleeping in your bed. I haven’t told you no, and I don’t plan to. I’m on the pill, I’m healthy, and I want you, Shane. I’m not playing games here. This also isn’t a Stockholm syndrome thing. I’d want you under any circumstance. So now you know.”
“Are you about done with that sandwich?”
She grins and sets it on the plate. “Yeah.”
“Good.”
I circle the breakfast bar and take her face in my hands, staring down into her fierce, blue eyes. “If there’s anything you don’t like, you need to tell me.”
“I’m not shy, and I don’t think you could do much that I won’t like.”
“Jesus, I don’t deserve you.” I kiss her long and hard and then take her hands and pull her quickly through the house to my bedroom. I close and lock the door.
“Expecting someone?” she asks.
“I’m not taking any damn chances.” I shuck my boots and yank my shirt over my head. “Now that I have you here, right where I want you, I’m not taking any chances that someone could fuck this up.”
“Good plan.” She smiles and pulls the band out of her ponytail, setting her hair free, letting it tumble around her shoulders. Then, she calmly pulls her pink shirt over her head and lets it fall to the floor. With her eyes on mine, she unclasps her bra from the front and drops it with the shirt.
I swallow hard. Jesus fucking Christ, she’s gorgeous. Those full breasts that I can’t wait to get my hands on are on full display, her nipples already tight and begging for my lips.
When she reaches for the waistband of her yoga pants, I shake my head once and then step forward.
“Let me,” I whisper as I take her hand in mine and draw it up to my lips. “Let me unwrap the rest of you. I’m going to worship every damn inch of your gorgeous body.”
“It’s good, then, that I have lots of extra inches for you to enjoy.” Her lips twitch, in both humor and a little insecurity.
“Every bit of you is stunning. And I’m going to show you, slowly and methodically, just how much I want you. All of you. Every bit.”
“Oh, that sounds like a good idea.”
Chapter 8
~Ivie~
Has anyone ever looked at me the way Shane’s gazing at me right now? Like he wants to eat me with a spoon?
No. The answer to that would be a resounding no.
“Are you getting nervous on me?” he asks as he slowly crosses to me and hooks his finger into the waistband of my yoga pants.
“No, why do you ask?”
“Because I can see your pulse throbbing, right here.” He leans in and ever-so-gently lays his lips over the tender flesh of my neck. If I wasn’t already turned on, which I definitely am, that would have done the trick. He’s warm, and when my hands glide up his bare arms, he’s smooth and firm. And I get to touch him. Do whatever I want to and with him.
Good God, am I dreaming?
“It’s not because I’m nervous.” I swallow hard and let my eyes drift closed as pure sensation floats through me.
“No?”
I slowly shake my head and then smile when his lips drift up to my jawline and over to my lips.
This kiss isn’t light, playful, or comforting.
It’s slow and hot. Arousing. All-encompassing.
“Never met anyone quite like you,” he whispers as his hands slip into my pants, and he slowly pushes them over my hips. He makes a sweet, slow journey down my torso with his lips, planting hot kisses as he guides my pants down my legs.
When I’m standing before him in nothing but my neon green panties, he kisses me over the small scrap of material, right on my pubis.
My sharp inhale of breath has his gaze flying up to mine, and with an amused grin, he stands, takes my hand, and leads me to the bed.
Shane’s eyes are soft and so full of lust, it makes me want to look behind myself to make sure it’s me he’s gazing at.
The