Page 133 of Chasing Hope
Evie moans into my mouth, her legs wrapping around my waist, making my own groan rumble from my chest as she allows me entrance. Holding an arm around her waist, loving the way her body flushes against mine, the kiss deepens as her breasts push flush against my chest.
She locks her arms around my neck, a hand running through my hair. Her nails scrape my scalp in such a delicious way I shudder, groaning again.
The elevator was a fiery explosion. This is exploratory.
Every moment is us learning each other, our tongues intertwining and making up for years of desire and need. It’s slow andlanguid, building with intensity, moans being exchanged, and as Evie’s hips begin to writhe against mine, I fear I won’t be able to hold back.
“Fuck, Evie.” I pull back, breathing hard as I drop my forehead to hers. “Wait, we need to slow down.”Otherwise, I’m going to act like a teenager and cum in my goddamn shorts.
Her chest is rising and falling as fast as mine as she nods, her eyes locked on my lips. “Okay.”
Despite my own words, I can’t help myself. I go back in for another kiss.
Evie whimpers into my mouth, and again, I have to physically rip myself away. Letting go of her shouldn’t be this fucking hard and yet here I am, submerging myself into the water so I don’t get carried away.
After giving myself a few seconds to calm my racing heart, I come up for air. She’s gotten a hold of the paddleboard, holding herself atop it.
The flush along her cheeks makes my lips twitch and lets my heart know it’s not alone in how much it enjoyed kissing her. Even the look she’s giving me… We could go further, but I want to take my time, savor it with her.
I hold the board as she slides on, taking a seat on the edge and dangling her legs in the water. I place my arms over the board, drawing patterns along her thigh.
We’re silent as we catch our breaths, the only sound the lake water lapping on the shore as I gently and slowly guide us back.
Evie’s voice is hesitant, unsure, as she stutters, “Do…do you want me in that way?”
I’m stunned speechless for a moment. Her eyes are downcast, hands in her lap as she plays with her cuticles.
She’s serious.
Laying an arm across her leg, I try to catch her gaze but she just slides hers to the side. “Evie, there is nothing more that I want than to touch you in every way possible. If we kept going I was one second away from embarrassing myself and getting too excited. Believe me when I say I want to experience everything with you.”
Her cheeks tint, flushing such a crimson color it contrasts starkly with her blonde hair. Yet despite my words, she swallows thickly, continuing to fidget with her fingers.
“I just want to take my time,” I add softly. “There’s no need for us to rush.”
She nods along as if it makes sense, but I can sense there’s still a whirlwind of thoughts happening in my favorite mind.
“Dove?” I probe. “Is there something else you’re not saying?”
Shocked blue eyes snap to mine. “Why, can you tell?”
“Tell what?”
Shrugging, Evie resumes fiddling with the skin around her nails. “Can you tell that I’m…different?”
“Different?”Now I’m beyond confused.“What do you mean different?”
Evie bites her bottom lip with such force I watch as her teeth pierce the top layer of skin, blood blooming immediately.
My feet finally touch the sandy bottom. Standing quickly, water cascading down my chest, I lift my hand to her lip, wiping the blood off. “Dove, what’s going on?”
Why is she so nervous? What is she hiding?
“There’s absolutely no pressure to ever do anything. I promise we can go as slow as you want. I just care about you.” My words are meant to soothe her, to lessen the pain I see coursing through her eyes, but instead, tears fill them.
“Hey,” I murmur gently, placing a finger beneath her chin. I force her gaze to mine as I search for answers. “What’s going through that beautiful mind of yours?”
“Ugly thoughts,” she confesses.
