Page 56 of Final Proposal

I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing damn well what I said. Desperate to repeat it. Terrified at the same time. “You mean the part about how bad I fucking want you?”

She nods and swallows forcibly as her eyes dart to my lips. “We’re partners, Ford.”

“I’m aware.”

“It would be a mistake to . . .” Her voice cracks, and I nod.

“It would. But it would also be a travesty not to.”

She runs a hand down my chest. “Is that so?”

“Mm-hmm,” I murmur as I reach out and cup the side of her face with my hand.

She leans in, the warmth of her breath hitting my lips as she whispers, “But I prefer mistakes over travesties any day.”

“Thank fuck for that.” The groan I emit as I drag her against me is accented by the thunder that rumbles outside. My body coils tight as my lips find hers. As my mouth takes, my tongue delves, and my every sensation wants.

Jesus Christ. I was right.

This woman. Her taste. Fucking addictive.

And I can’t get enough.

Drywall dust falls all around us as her hands fist in my hair and our mouths meet over and over and over in what feels like a free-for-all that both of us are lost in. That both of us never want to be found in.

We move backwards as our hands claim and our lips demand.

More.

Now.

I need more.

Of her.

Of this.

Of the moment.

Just fucking her.

“Ford,” she groans as I lace open-mouthed kisses up the exposed line of her neck. “I don’t want to want you, but I’m so tired of trying not to.”

I fist my hand in her hair and pull her head back so I can meet her eyes. “Then stop trying.”

And fuck do her lips tempt me. Do they own me. Do they call for me to have every goddamn ounce of restraint I can muster while shredding it simultaneously.

Then stop trying.

I heed my own advice and delve back in with my tongue and lips and hands as she pulls my shirt over my head, and I fumble with the clasp of her bra beneath hers.

We stumble through doorways as we push down our pants and trip over shoes as we try to toe them off.

I look for somewhere to lay her down. Somewhere that’s not covered in dust or dangerous because time is of the essence, and I simply don’t have the willpower to wait any longer.

As it is, I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime.

“Here,” she murmurs as her hand that slides between my boxer briefs and my cock finds purchase.