Page 91 of Reckless Devotion

My stomach flip-flops uneasily. People like me and Chase don’t end up together. We’re not just from different worlds, we’re from different universes. Maybe it’s better to end this now, chalk it up to a vacation fling that stays on the beach.

“I don’t know.”

He assesses me carefully and my cheeks burn, aware that talking to me right now must be like trying to have a conversation with a fucking plank.

“I’m not trying to be difficult, I just feel all kinds of jumbled in here.” I tap my temple and offer him a weak grimace.

“I get that sometimes.” He nods and makes a small noise at the back of his throat. “Come on then, give it to me.”

“What?”

“Your rules.”

“My rules?” I spin, frowning at him where he leans casually back against the island with his ankles crossed, taking another sip of water.

He nods, twisting the cap back on. “Whatever you need for this to continue and not run from it.”

I swallow. How the fuck does he do that? Pluck thoughts right out of my head like they’re there for his viewing pleasure. “Perhaps it would be best—”

“Don’t give me that shit again,” he cuts across me firmly, a flare of something dark bursting in his irises as he ditches his bottle and stalks toward me. “We can’t put this genie back in the lamp, Peppercorn. I’ve tasted how sweet that pussy is and I’ll never forget.” He grips my chin, tilting it up to meet a molasses gaze that now smolders.

“Don’t do that.” A sharp awareness blossoms between my legs. He lifts one brow in question and I continue. “I can’t think straight when you talk dirty.”

“Maybe that’s my plan.” He steps closer and I move back simultaneously. He flashes me a wicked grin, his masculine scent invading my senses as he prowls forward again, plucking the bottle from my hand and throwing it somewhere that has a soft landing.

“You’re in charge, Peppercorn.” He backs me up until my back hits something solid, and my hands leap to curl around its edges. Smooth and fuzzy…the felt on the pool table. “All you have to do is tell me what you need.”

“I need…I need…” My cheeks flame as I stutter, entranced as he lifts his hand to cup my neck and curls his hand tightly into the back of my hair.

“Tell me, baby.” He tugs it, angling my head with just the right amount of rough for me to slicken against my panties.

“I need to not overcomplicate things.”

“Mhm, what else?” He brushes his lips over mine whisper-soft, and I whimper into his mouth, my nipples turning to hard points.

“And I can't have you staying over at my place,” I blurt out, cringing as the words hang in the air. “It’s Sunny’s space too and I don’t feel comfortable—”

“You don’t need to explain,” he cuts me off. “What else?”

“I need…”

He slips his mouth down to my jaw, nipping softly, and I totally lose track. Hell, the only thing I need right now is him. My breath heaves, my nipples sensitive against my bra and every logical thought flitting out of the window as he presses his lean, hard body against me.

“Do you need to be called my good girl?” he teases in deep gravel, sucking softly on the sensitive spot below my jaw.

My legs wobble, leaning into him.Oh god.“Yes.”

He scores his teeth along my skin, sending a cascade of shivers down my spine. The next thing I know, his warm breath is at my ear. “Then get on your knees and earn it, baby.”

I moan, not caring how loud it sounds in the silent apartment, not caring about anything other than the way this man makes me feel. Desired. Worshipped. Dominated. He applies pressure to his grip in my hair, guiding me softly to my knees before him so I can see just how turned on he is.

His thick erection packs the front of his pants, straining his zipper. I slide my tongue along my lower lip, eyeing it eagerly.

“My greedy girl,” Chase growls as I reach for the button at the top, flicking it open and sliding down his zipper.

Slipping into his black boxer briefs, I wrap my hand around the heat of his thick shaft and glance up before I do anything further. If I weren’t already on my knees, the sightbefore me might put me there. He towers above, unraveling his tie and unbuttoning his shirt to reveal a hard line of muscle, chiseled features filled with molten gratification as he gazes at me beneath him.

“You look so fucking perfect like this.” He drags his thumb along my lower lip, pressing it inside.