on top of her, moving inside her, tearing away at her virtue would feel very real.
So real she could taste it.
She brought her mouth close to his. That kiss in the fountain seared into her memory. Jeez, if she wasn’t sure she’d ever forget a kiss, how could she ever get over sex with Grayson Hart?
She wouldn’t.
And maybe that was for the best, too.
If there were a man to keep in her soul because she couldn’t have one in her life, Grayson was it.
“Do you want me to kiss you?” Grayson practically growled. “Because you think kissing will lead me to do something I shouldn’t?”
“Can we try?”
“No.” But he didn’t move.
The bastard was teasing her. Or was this some kind of negotiation?
“So, if I do this...” She laid her hand on his chest.
Oh, the heat of his body. Teeny pinpricks of hair covered his pecs, tingling her fingers under the course texture. His entire chest was probably satiny smooth a couple of weeks ago. The reddish-blond fuzz suggested he waxed his entire body like most men in L.A. They were far from L.A., though. And even farther from New York.
Grayson’s nipples stood erect, his chest muscles flexed. His California-kissed skin perfect. No ink. No piercings.
The smell of him. “What is that scent? Where is it from?”
“A blend of oils I order online. Keeps the skin looking...”
“Like this?” Her hands now splayed across his chest.
“This is dangerous, Sabine.” His voice strained with controlled lust.
Her eyes flickered down and she went breathless. The long and wide outline of a hard cock pulsed inside his gym shorts.
Years of being put in a box, packaged for a man she didn’t love, then forced to move away all came crashing down on her. All she’d given up. A woman woke up inside her. Someone she didn’t know.
She pressed her lips to the tight planes of his stomach. Firm skin and warmth. Oranges and lavender.
“Sabine, you don’t know what you’re doing.”
No kidding.
“Teach me. Show me.” Fire bubbled in her throat, remembering the day she had to watch a wife go down on her trainer. The woman was committing a sin, but it was glorious to watch. “I just need to know.” Sabine reached for his shorts, tugging at the elastic.
Grayson’s hands stopped her, and he grunted. “You don’t want that. You don’t want me.”
Oh, but I do. “Why?”
“I’ve never been in a serious relationship. I don’t trust myself with you.” He licked his lips. “I can’t promise I won’t break your heart.”
Right now, given the heat and throbbing between her legs, and the rush she felt from him, to be denied would break her heart.
“What if I’m willing to take that risk?”
He breathed a harsh breath and moved. “Because I’m not sure I’m worth it. Not now. Not like this. You deserve to have your dream. And I can’t be part of it. I hate L.A. I’m not going back.”
“But the part yer waiting for? Where’s it filming?”
“East coast, mostly Toronto. And Silvercup in New York.”
“I see.” She cleared her throat. That tiny fantasy dying because when this was all over and the million-dollar bounty was no longer between them, she still couldn’t be with him. She refused to go back to New York. “And we’re getting on the road?”
He sat crouched at the end of the bed. Still watching her, controlling himself. “Yeah. Ten minutes?”
“Okay.” She pushed the rest of the sheets away and stood, the fire of Gray’s gaze on her naked body. “I need a shower.” Feeling bold, she squeezed her breasts. “Break my heart? What makes ye think I won’t break yers, Grayson Hart?”
Grayson
A VIRGIN.
A virgin.
A virgin?
The beast inside Gray started fantasizing what that would be like. Besides dangerous as hell. He’d never been with a virgin. Even when he was one. As a teenager or even in college, he never crossed paths with one. He liked experience in his bed.
But holy fucking shit, maybe because it was Sabine, breathtaking Sabine with curves that made his body buzz, taking her virginity would stay with him forever. A woman who’d held out for that damn long? He’d be a deliberate and finely curated choice.
Jesus, didn’t that make her so much more tempting?
To get those dangerous thoughts out of his head, he brought his bag to the entry foyer and gazed at the photos on the console. A smile curled his lips. His mother was so proud of her family, showcased them the minute someone walked in the door.