Page 80 of The Catch

"I don't have any," she admits.

It doesn't make sense and, for a moment, I blame those sparks. They're making me clumsy. They latch onto my heart and the mirage of the moment, and push me to envision a future with nights like this between us.

But this isn't about my delusions. It's about her desire.

I create distance between us and stare into her eyes. She looks dazed.

"Ames. When you fantasize about the things you crave in bed. What do you think of?"

She blinks a few times. "I didn't… use to think much about that."

Her admission tears at me. I want to curse every lover she's ever had, for not falling to their knees in gratitude to share her bed, and because they had her at all. I would be embarrassed at my sudden jealousy, but I like the idea of atonement via making her dreams a reality.

"Rule number three." My voice is rough. "Ames, your fantasies matter. All of them."

"But if they don't fit with my partner's—"

"The right partner will at least care, no matter how little time you have together."

"That's the fantasy," she mutters.

"Hey." I interrupt the thought with a brief kiss. "We'll start small. Any fantasies at all?"

She stares at me for a while. "Lately… lately I've been fantasizing about you."

My mind blanks. Her words, spoken quietly, burrow into the core of me. The spot turns soft and white.

It puts a small smile on my face. I step away, creating some distance between us. I open my arms like I'm ready to be crucified.

"Then take me," I say. "Do with me as you will."

She gazes at me like she's gauging my sincerity.

"Go ahead." My voice deepens. "Test me."

She continues to study me, but heat shimmers in her eyes now.

Her eyes travel down my body. Two, three steps, and she's next to me again. Her breasts and belly brush my torso, but I don't move. With calm composure, she starts to slowly undo my shirt buttons.

"Don't move." She stares into my eyes, then her gaze latches on my lips.

Shivers run down my spine at the sudden confidence in her voice. My arms fall somewhat but I keep straight, leaving my chest open as she pulls the panels of myshirt to the side. With exploring fingertips, she traces my torso. My necklace, my earring, my neck. I gulp.

"Huh." Her fingers touch my Adam's apple, then stop at my pulse. "Is this affecting you?"

My heart has taken on a fast thrum.

I bring her hand to my chest. "Do you feel that?"

She nods.

It takes a deep breath to manage a confession. "I've thought about this since I met you."

I have also thought about more than simply getting her in my bed, but I keep that in. That part ismyfantasy, and not one I can bet on. Not with my track record, and the one time I tried it ended in mocking laughter and sticky failure. I will not hurt her with my unchecked hopes. With not being able to make it work, bringing about an ending I did not want or choose.

Not when Ames only wants me for a short while, too.

She frowns. "But you never tried to sleep with me."