she’s holding back.
“There’s something I haven’t told you.”
I give her an encouraging squeeze, realizing my hands have drifted down so that I’m partially gripping her bottom now. She doesn’t seem to notice. “I’m not going to judge you, sweetie. You did what you needed to do to pay the bills. You’re a strong woman. I’m proud of you.”
Redness creeps up her cheeks. “I’m a bit of a freak actually. I suspect my boss wasn’t just selling my looks to a willing buyer. I mean, I know he wasn’t.”
“What was he selling, Britney?” I know the answer, but I want her to tell me, and I don’t want her to know I went to the club yet.
“My virginity,” she murmurs.
I shouldn’t be shocked, and I’m not, but the way she says the word makes me swallow anyway. It packs a punch when she says it out loud. I slide my hands up to her shoulder blades and wait for her to look at me. When she does, her blue eyes are bluer and her cheeks are redder. “You’re safe here,” I remind her.
Her next move shocks me. She leans in and kisses me on the lips. It’s a gentle swipe of her mouth, but it’s heaven to me. It’s also over in a second, and she jerks her gaze away. “Shit. Sorry.”
I’m reeling from the effect she’s had on me and give her a little shake again. “What are you sorry for?” My God, she’s precious. Every inch of her. Now that I’ve tasted her sweet lips, I’m going to have a hard time controlling myself.
She shrugs. “I’m being ridiculous. You’re trying to help me out, and I’m hitting on you. You must think I’m just some young girl who got herself into a heap of trouble. I didn’t mean to…be so bold.”
I slide one hand up to the back of her neck and turn her face toward me. “Look at me, sweetie.”
She finally lifts her gaze.
“You are precious, and I’m humbled that you feel that way about me. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m attracted to you too. A lot, sweetie. But I’m not going to take advantage of you. You’ve only known me a day. You’re hurting, and you’ve had a rough life. Naturally, you’d think you’re attracted to me. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s flattering, and I’d be delighted if you still feel this way in a week or a month or a year.”
She scrunches up her face. “You’re just being nice.”
If she had any idea how hard I’m working to keep from lowering her onto her back and taking that small, sweet kiss to a stratospheric level… “Not at all. I mean every word. But there’s a lot you don’t know about me yet, and you’re not ready to hear most of it. You’re also stuck here for a while, so we’ll get to know each other and see what happens.” To reassure her I mean what I’m saying, I lean forward and kiss her back, my lips lingering longer on hers than the first kiss. I even let my tongue flick over the seam of her mouth before I pull back.
Sweet Jesus.
She whimpers, which makes my cock jump to full attention. It’s pressing against her hip, and she has to know this. It’s been growing larger by the moment since she first sat on my lap.
“Thank you,” she whispers before sucking in a breath.
“That’s another swear word and another thank you. Your tally is up to four now,” I tease.
“And you still haven’t told me what the repercussions are.”
“Yep,” I agree, pursing my lips.
She groans, her hands coming to my shoulders. “Come on. Tell me. You say there are things I don’t know about you. Give me this one.”
“Nope. Not today. But I will warn you, it would be best not to let the tally continue to grow.” I lift a brow.
She giggles, that sweet, sweet sound I love so much. When she finally stops, her expression sobers. “Will you kiss me again?”
“Let me ask you a question first.”
“Okay…”
“How many times have you been kissed?”
“Twice,” she answers without hesitation. “Well, once. I kissed you the first time.” She cocks her head to one side. “Told you I’m pitiful.”
“You’re not pitiful. You’re precious. And to answer your question, yes, I’ll kiss you again.” I draw her head down to meet my lips, knowing I’m killing myself by allowing this but unable to stop. Our lips meet and then I angle her head to one side.