Page 85 of Time To Learn

“Laura, I've wanted to kiss you for weeksnow.”

She jumps slightly at my revelation and blinks atme.

I nod as I release her hand, only to wrap my arms around her shoulders. With my body, I try to shield her from the wind that’s picked up. I love that she’s so small—like a doll. Her height calls to my protective side, and while I’m no knight in shining armour, I already know that I’ll come to her aid if she should ever need meto.

I ignore the drops of rain that start to fall from the sky. My entire focus is on the woman in front ofme.

“You already know I want you. I want to know what your lips feel like on mine. I want to hear you sigh as my tongue explores your mouth. I want to learn every dip and curve of your body as I hold you in my arms. And...” I pause, groaning low when she wets her lips, “...and trust me, Iwill.”

She lets out a short, breathless laugh, a small smile lingering on herlips.

“Well, you're mighty sure of yourself, aren'tyou?”

I grin down ather.

Fuck, she'scute.

“What makes you think all of this will come true?” She’s wired, tense in my arms. I wish I could make her drop her guard around me. I move even closer and bend my head until our mouths are so close I can smell the minty scent of her breath.

Tightening my arms even further, I angle my head, unable to tear my eyes fromhers.

“Because I'm about to make my desires cometrue.”

Without giving her time to speak or run from me, I kiss her, and finally - finally - my thirst for her is quenched.

Until it'snot.

One taste isn't enough.

I have a feeling it never willbe.

Tamping down my rising need to consume her, I take my time tasting her mouth, basking in the revelation that she hasn’t pulled away from me. That she hasn’t even tried to yet. My heart pounds as I tilt my head and trail her lips with my tongue. When she doesn’t hesitate—letting me inside at once—I groan into her mouth, desperate formore.

More, more, more, more, more.

My lungs start to burn. I have to breathe, but air is not important.

Nothing matters except the touch of her tongue as it dances with mine, giving and taking everything I demand of her. When she discovers my piercing, she jumps a little in my arms, only to melt completely against me—just as I hoped for. Through the beating sound of the rain falling from above, I hear and feel her soft sigh. I run my fingers through her hair, only to fist it lightly in my right hand at the nape of her neck, holding her firmly in place. I free my other arm and run it down her side, my heart stuttering when my fingers pull aside her clothes and find soft, naked skin right at her hip bone where her underwear should be. My whole body shudders with need as I realise that she’s not wearing much underneath her now soaked cardigan.

The last thing I want is to tear my mouth free of hers, but I have to before things get out of control. My breathing is hard, laboured, as I stare down, desperate for her to open her eyes. When she finally does, I tilt her face up, my lips hovering over hers. Our breaths mingle in the dampair.

“Are you scared?” I whisper.

I daren’t tear my eyes away from hers. I feel shaken to my core as I stand here, waiting for her answer. Waiting for her to say yes to me. Waiting…always waiting. But for her, I’d wait an eternity.

What is it about this woman that makes me cast aside all my usual rules?

“Terrified.”

I wince as she trembles in my arms, prepared to take a step back if she tells me to. But when she lifts her arms and grips on to the lapels of my jacket, pulling me closer, determination overrides my hesitation.

“So am I, sweetheart.”

The admission is difficult for me, but one that I believe I oweher.

I bury my nose in her hair and close my eyes as I breathe in her clean scent.

“But let’s be terrified together. Please stay with me tonight.”