I shift, keeping my hardness away from her and attempting a light tone. “Because I don’t make a practice of sleeping with women who don’t want to sleep with me.”

“Good point.” Zoey levers her torso up, moving forward so she can loom over me. The flannel of her pajamas drags against my overly sensitive skin. “Okay then. My answer is, I haven’t decided.”

Hope roars through my chest. I have a chance.

“Tell me what I need to do.” The words are hoarse, aching with need.

“Well, now, that sounds like a man whose mind is made up.” Zoey smirks, and I grin in response. Once more, her gaze trips down to my mouth. “Can I kiss you, Warner Jameson?”

For a moment, my body freezes, but then the raging heat is back, and my inner beast is howling. I nod, head bobbing more times than needed and with more vigor than normal.

Zoey reaches up, brushing away a curl that teases my forehead. “Just kissing, okay?”

“Just kissing,” I agree, willing her to cross the last few inches separating us.

Maybe she sees the desperation in my eyes because she finally dips her head, bringing a wave of her sugary and earthy scent with her.

Zoey approaches kissing as if she’s researching. Each brush of her mouth against mine is a question. An exploration.

She teases her lips over mine slowly, learning the shape, turning my brain to mush.

I don’t detect hesitation in her movements. The sedate pace isn’t because she’s unsure. This approach speaks of a certain type of skill. Zoey knows not every kiss is the same, and she’s determined to discover the right way to fit our mouths together.

I, the animal that I am, fight the urge to plunder and suck and bite. Instead, I mirror her gentle movements. Showing I can follow her lead.

My restraint is rewarded when she resettles her chest on mine and pushes her fingers into my hair. She nips at my lower lip before licking the spot with her tongue, as if I might need to be soothed after any rough treatment.

A groan spills out of my throat.

Zoey captures it with a naughty kiss, delving her tongue into my mouth.

We twine together in multiple ways. I find my way past her lush lips, seeking out the cool metal of her piercing. The jewelry has been tormenting me since the first moment I saw Zoey. The glint of gold making it impossible to look anywhere other than her sexy mouth.

The attention I pay to it is a tribute. Letting Zoey know I worship every bit of her.

She gasps, tightening her fingers until I feel the scrape of nails against my scalp.

My hands want to participate too. They beg to cup and fondle and undo buttons.

“Just kissing,” whispers through my head.