asked when we were back in the privacy of his car. “Not just to drop me off, I mean.”
“I’d love that. Thank you.”
His gratitude warmed my insides. He wasn’t taking my offer for granted; he hadn’t expected to buy my affection with a fancy meal.
But I was more than ready to give him what we both so desperately wanted. It wasn’t at all like me to fall into bed so quickly, but with Joseph, I couldn’t hold back. I didn’t want to.
Chapter Six
Ashlyn
Joseph’s kiss was scorching, branding. Every kiss before his had been a fumbling, passionless affair. I’d never known what I was missing until our lips touched for the first time. He was harsh and demanding, but he held me with reverence even as his mouth subjugated mine. I felt cherished and utterly consumed at the same time, and I knew he felt the same desperate need that tormented me.
We moved through my apartment and into my bedroom in a frenzy, and by the time we closed the door behind us, my sweater had already been stripped off and tossed aside.
“Turn on the light,” he said, low and rough. “I want to see you.”
A delighted flush heated my skin, and I did as he commanded. I wanted to see him, too. I’d felt his hard body while we’d made out the night before, but we hadn’t been naked together.
Even though I didn’t usually strip down around men, I wasn’t self-conscious about my body. I put in enough hours swimming laps every week that I was used to my curves being on display in my bathing suit.
This was different, though. Because Joseph was watching me like a starving man at a feast, and I was still covered by my jeans and bra.
He began to touch me with shockingly gentle hands, his slow, reverent movements in contrast to how he’d been kissing me so roughly. His fingertips skimmed around my waist before coming up behind my back to unhook my simple black bra. He slid the straps down my arms, his eyes fixed on my chest as he slowly revealed my breasts. His jaw clenched. I got the feeling he was holding himself back, savoring the sight of me instead of pinning me down and kissing me the way he had last night.
I shivered as cool air caressed my heated skin, and my nipples pebbled to hard peaks. He ran his knuckles over the needy buds. I gasped and arched into his touch, craving more.
A rumbling sound of pleasure left his chest, and he cupped my breasts fully, his big hands completely encompassing them. His calloused palms teased against my nipples as he learned the weight and shape of my breasts, still touching me with aching care.
“Joseph, please.” I needed more. I leaned into him and clutched at his upper arms.
He withdrew, and I whined my protest.
“Shhh,” he urged. “I’m not finished.”
His long fingers trailed down my abdomen, teasing along the top of my jeans before he deftly freed the button at the front. He pulled down the zipper in a torturously slow motion, but I didn’t beg for him to go faster. I craved more contact, but the way he studied me with such rapt fascination was addictive.
He finally hooked his thumbs through the top of my jeans and my panties, and he pulled them down my legs. He dropped to his knees before me, his eyes riveted on my sex as I compliantly stepped out of my jeans and flats.
He simply stared for several seconds. I shifted on my feet, but not out of anxiety; it was all I could do to stop myself from rocking my hips toward his lips in wanton invitation.
He leaned in, close enough that his hot breath teased across my clit. Without thinking, I spread my legs, craving his touch. He pressed a soft, sweet kiss just above my clit.
“Beautiful.” The word vibrated against my flesh as his lips brushed my skin.
“Please,” I begged again.
He shot me a wicked grin, his eyes lifting to meet mine. “You want me to kiss your pretty pussy, angel?”
Angel. He’d called me that once before. It only made me feel more worshipped, and I fell deeper into his thrall, intoxicated by his reverence for me.
I licked my lips. I did want him to put his mouth on me, but there was something I craved even more.
“I want to see you too.”
I grasped his arms and guided him back to his feet. He allowed me to direct his movements;