Standing in the doorway is my redheaded goddess. I’m stunned silent by her appearance, and I hold the door open with my jaw on the floor. Like an idiot.

Her hair is down, and she’s looking up at me through her lashes. She’s got on a black tank top and cutoff jean shorts and flip-flops. It’s the most skin I’ve ever seen exposed on her, and my mouth begins to water. She looks casual, like she’s been lounging around all day while I’ve been pacing like a maniac. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.

“Hey. Sorry to barge in on you, but I needed—”

Her words shake me out of my block of stone, and I reach for her, pulling her into my arms and kicking the door shut.

Before I know what’s happening, I’ve got her pinned against the wall, and my lips are on hers. Fire ignites between us, stronger than our first kiss. I taste sweetness on her tongue and moan at the feel of her hands on my chest.

I grip her ass tight and grind her against the length of my cock. Every thick inch pulses for her, and I’m aching to be inside her tight, wet heat.

“Fuck,” I moan as her hands move lower and I feel her fingers touch my stomach. “More.” I hold her up against the wall with my lower half so my hands are free to pull my shirt off. “Touch me.”

Her eyes are wide, and she licks her lips as her palms brush against my nipples.

“Did you come here because you want this?” I ask, watching her reaction. She nods, but I shake my head. “Not good enough.” I run my hands up her thighs, feeling the warmth of her skin around my waist. “If you’re here for a quick fuck, I’ll put you on your feet and take your pretty ass home. But if you want what I want, then I need to hear you say it.”

“Royce—”

“I don’t want it to be like that, baby. But I won’t play games with you. I’ll wait, and it will fucking kill me, but I’ll do it for you.”

She runs her hand up to my neck, and I lean into her touch. I close my eyes and take a breath, wanting so desperately to have her.

“I’m here because I want it all. You, me, and whatever this could become.”

I open my eyes and see the truth in hers.

“I’ve never felt this before, and I’m scared.”

The raw vulnerability she’s showing me right now makes my chest ache. It’s exactly what I’ve been wanting her to say since the day I laid eyes on her. But I want her to be as sure as I am. Once I’ve had her, there’s no going back.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Pandora.” I wrap my arms around her and look into her dark blue eyes. “I’ll never hurt you, and I’ll never leave you. So make sure when you tell me that you want this, that you damn well mean it. Because when you’re mine, that’s forever, baby.”