Page 45 of Hard
‘Oh yeah?’ Less challenge and more an enquiry as he steps into me, his hand drifting to between my legs.But barely touching.
‘I’m gonna decorate the silky skin of your inner thighs. Suck. Bite. Lick.’
The words bloom between my legs like the most delicious surprise. ‘I’m down for that.’ I try to appear unaffected, hoping to conceal the shake in my voice. I feel so desperate for him to touch me. Frantic for the sensations of his fingertips.His teeth.
‘What else are youdown for?’
God, his voice. He could read the phone book and make it sound sexy. Suddenly, the echo of Chastity’s words floats into my consciousness.
‘Boundaries are meant to be tested,’ I hear myself repeat.
Above me, Keir’s eyes light up like Christmas has arrived early.
Chapter 15
PAISLEY
The door closes, the sound of my heart the only noise in the room. Keir walks farther into the space, placing his wallet and the spare key on the dresser as he passes, walking to the wall of windows before turning to face me.
‘It’s not quite Claridge’s,’ he says quietly, taking in the king-size bed, the pair of chairs set against the window, the dresser, and upholstered chair. I can’t help but wonder if he’s considering their uses forallthe wicked things. ‘But it’ll do.’
He’s right; this isn’t a suite in Claridge’s, but it will do. The room is warm after the crisp chill of the autumn night and rich with tactile fabrics in shades of grey and plum. Not that it matters. Especially as I consider I might have gone to at least third base in that grimy alleyway.
I place my clutch down next to his wallet and lean against the dresser. I’m not shy, I don’t think, but I’m not exactly forward. Even when my body literally hums with need.
‘It’s nice.’
‘Nice?’ Keir gives in to the smile he’s fighting. ‘Is nice what you came here for?’
‘I’m not really sure why I’m here.’ I stretch my legs out, crossing them at the ankles, clasping my hands together in front.To stop them from shaking. To hide how I ache for his touch.
‘Tell the truth and shame the devil.’
‘What?’ My word bubbles with laughter.
‘It’s just another way of sayin’ I don’t believe you, hen. You know why you’re here. Same as me. Because you couldn’t stop thinking of the last time we fucked.’
‘Maybe I just need a little direction.’
A deep burst of laughter breaks free from his chest. ‘Well, aren’t you just the perfect girl.’
Hands still between my legs, I shrug as though unaffected even as his words warm my insides. ‘I try.’
Keir’s eyes roam over me, and just when I think he’s going to tell me to strip, he stalks towards me. His fingers are warm and a little calloused as he takes my hand, encouraging me to stand.
‘I don’t know what I did to deserve seconds,’ he says when we’re toe to toe and he’s twirling a curl that hangs almost to my shoulder. ‘But I’ll admit I’m greedy for it. Greedy for you.’
When he reaches behind me, my eyes fall closed, my every nerve ending alive in anticipation of his first touch. His fingertips brush against the nape of my neck, eliciting a shiver before he begins to expertly pull the pins loose from my hair.
‘You’ve done this before,’ I whisper, my eyes opening to the tilt of his lips.
‘I might’ve,’ he says as he pulls my ponytail holder free without causing me pain. ‘At least once or twice.’ It’s silly, but I don’t want to think about that. At least, not until he says, ‘I can also plait a mean braid.’
A man who learned to braid for his child? Nowthatmust be something to appreciate. Something to swoon a little over even. And a man who can loosen a girl’s updo pain free, only to gather the strands in his fist oh-so gently? Also totally swoon worthy.
He pulls my hair to tilt my head, allowing him access to my neck and collarbone. Each press of his lips, each swipe of his tongue unravels me a little further until my whole body is shaking, and I know that he’s aware.
‘Kiss me,’ he whispers, his mouth hovering just over mine. I try, but it’s hard to do with his grip on my hair. ‘What are you waiting for?’ he whispers, his mouth just a breath from mine.
