Page 23 of Possessed By Roman

“That sounds terrible.”

“You are terrible.”

I look at her. Cora looks back. Then she starts laughing. I find myself smiling. And there it is again. That thing I’ve been trying to avoid. The ease between us. Cora scrolls through the movies while continuing to argue with me about what qualifies as good entertainment, and somehow, we compromise, settling for a romantic suspense movie.

The movie starts. For the first few minutes, we actually watch it. Then my gaze drifts to her. I should pay attention to the movie. Instead, I keep watching her. The soft curve of her mouth. The way she shifts on the couch until her thigh brushes mine.

Neither of us moves. A few seconds pass, and her fingers touch my hand. The contact is accidental, but she gasps softly and looks at me, and that’s all the invitation I need. I grip her hand and pull her toward me, kissing her slowly this time.

Cora moves closer, her arms slide around my neck, and her mouth opens beneath mine as the kiss deepens. We’ve spent days touching each other without crossing this final line, but something about this kiss feels different. More certain. Like neither of us intends to stop this time.

Cora pulls back slightly and rests her forehead on mine. “I’m ready, Roman. I’m ready to go all the way,” she breathes out.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I slam my lips against hers. This time, I don’t hold back. The movie continues playing in the background, forgotten as we finally make the decision. I pull her closer, my hands finding her waist, and she comes willingly, climbing onto my lap until she's straddling me.

The blanket falls away. Her thighs bracket my hips, and even through our clothes, I can feel her heat against me. I groan against her mouth, my fingers digging into her hips with enough force to leave marks.

“Roman…” She breathes my name like a prayer, her fingers threading through my hair, tugging just enough to sting.

“I know.” I cut her off with another kiss, deeper this time, my tongue sweeping through her mouth like I'm claiming territory. “I know, princess. I've been fighting it too.”

She rocks against me, and the friction makes me see stars. Dan's trust be damned. Every reason I should stop disappears under the weight of her need and mine. But I need to be careful. She is inexperienced. So, I need to be in control.

“Cora.” I cup her jaw and make sure she’s looking at me. “I know you told me you’re a virgin. I need to hear you say you’re ready for this.”

Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t look away.

“I’m ready.”

The certainty in her voice hits me harder than I expect.

“I need you to tell me what you want. Exactly. No guessing.”

“I want you.” She doesn’t hesitate. “I want you inside me. I want…” She breaks off, embarrassed, and I tilt her face back toward mine.

“Words, Cora. I need the words.”

“I want you to show me.” Her voice is barely a whisper, but her eyes are fierce. “I want you to teach me. I want it to be you.”

Christ.

“I want you.” She doesn't hesitate. “I want you inside me. I want…” She breaks off, embarrassed, and I tilt her face back to me.

“Words, Cora. I need the words.”

“I want you to show me.” Her voice is barely a whisper, but her eyes are fierce. “I want you to teach me. I want…” She swallows hard. “I want it to be you. However you want it.”

However I want it. Christ.

The dominance in me roars to life. She's trusting me with her first time, and the responsibility of that is every bit as powerful as the desire.

“Stand up.”

She blinks, surprised by the shift in my tone, but she obeys. I watch her rise from my lap, her legs unsteady, her chest heaving. I stand too, towering over her, and I see the way her breath catches. The way her pupils dilate when I use my size to crowd her.