Page 22 of No Shelf Control
"Why the fuck not?"
"You mean aside from the fact that you had me arrested?" I arch a brow at him. "You don't even like me. And we'd probably end up killing each other."
He places his mug carefully on the island, then tugs his glasses off and sets them aside. The look on his face screams trouble. When he takes a step toward me, I back up, but I'm already against the island. There's nowhere for me to go unless I make a run for it. And I may run from my problems, but I damn sure don't run from a man, not even one as gorgeous and infuriating as River Jamison.
"You think I don't like you?" he asks, prying the mug from my hand.
"You called me annoyingly persistent."
"You are annoyingly persistent," he growls, caging me in with his arms. "You're also fucking stunning. You've got the smartest mouth and prettiest eyes I've ever seen. You're passionate, intelligent, and funny. You piss me off and turn me the fuck on at the same goddamn time." He dips his head, skimming his nose along my temple. "And you've had me hard since you cornered me in the library."
I lock my legs, trying to counteract the way they tremble. "Sexual attraction is not a solid foundation for a relationship, River."
"Yeah?" His breath blows hot against my ear. "Want to test that theory of yours, baby?"
"N-no."
"Liar."
"I'm not lying." I am totally lying. If I don't know what he feels like all over me soon, I may snap. But in the history of bad ideas, this is the worst.
"You melted for me on my porch the other day, princess. As soon as I touched you, you were desperate for more, weren't you?" he rasps, dragging his lips down the side of my throat.
I don't stop him. I just tip my head to the side, giving him better access.
"No," I lie.
He nips my skin, pulling it between his teeth. "Don't lie to me, Jasmine. You want me."
He's right, damn him. I do want him. For the last week, I've thought about little else except how much I want him. It's driving me insane.Heis driving me insane.
Maybe that's the solution to my problem. We fuck, and then we can both move on. We don't have to get feelings involved. We can sleep together, just once, to get each other out of our systems, and then life will go back to normal.
"Fine," I groan, my hands clenched around the edge of the island. "Maybe I do want you. What are you going to do about it?"
"Depends," he says, nipping my throat again. "What do you want me to do about it?"
"Me, preferably."
I feel his deep chuckle all the way to my core. And then his hands are on me, boosting me up onto the island. A second later, he's stepping between my legs, his mouth claiming mine.
If I thought he kissed me the other day, I was wrong.Thisis a kiss.
His hand tangles in my hair, craning my head back. His lips crash against mine, his tongue flicking against the seam of my lips. He kisses me so hard I forget to breathe, his mouth devouring mine with this wild hunger, like the last three days have been as torturous for him as they have been for me.
I wrap my arms around his neck, drawing him closer. He tastes like coffee and mint, the combination hitting me deep in the stomach, right where I ache the most.
He grips my thighs and yanks me closer, the granite biting into the backs of my legs. The desperate little groan I choke out when his hands slide under my dress to squeeze my hips would be embarrassing if he weren't groaning the same damn way.
"Jesus, princess," he growls against my lips, playing with the band on my panties. His fingertips trace the elastic in maddening circles. "If you had any idea what I've been dreaming about…"
I think I do know. I've been having the same dreams.
I break the kiss, gasping, but he just drags his lips down my throat, pausing to bite this spot that makes my whole body tremble. His other hand tightens in my hair, tugging my head back so I'm completely open to him.
"River," I manage to pant, my voice shaking, my legs spread wide against his hips.
He nips my collarbone, then grins against my skin. "Nu uh, baby. Not until you're dripping for me."
