When he kissed me again, he wasn’t as gentle. Instead of coaxing a response from me, he demanded one, and my body gave him what he wanted. His thigh wedged between my legs, bringing him in contact with my throbbing clit. Through my jeans, I could feel the heat and hardness of his leg muscles and the friction he applied to my sweet spot. My hips gave an involuntary jerk, and he gave me a satisfied grunt.

As his hand stole up my T-shirt, I arched my back into his caresses. He left a trail of buzzing nerve endings in his wake as he traveled up my belly then my ribs to my breast.

I held my breath, and my body stilled in anticipation. My breasts could be extremely sensitive. I craved his touch, but worried about what he’d think of me if I lost control.

He dragged his head back again. “You want me to stop?”

Fuck no! To avoid sounding over eager, I managed to stammer out, “N-no.”

“I am so happy to hear you say that.” His lips slid back over mine as his thumb skimmed the underside of my bra. The shot of lust hit me hard, and I rocked my hips on his thigh. When he did it again, I threw my head back.

He trailed kisses along my jawline then dipped his head farther to my neck. “You taste so bloody sweet. And you feel even better than you taste. All I’ll be able to think about from now on is how soft you are.”

He traced a thumb over my nipple, and I cried out. Moisture and heat rushed to my center, and the building need tripped me so close to the edge of ecstasy. It wouldn’t take much. Just one more stroke from his deft fingers, maybe two.

“Fuck, you are so beautiful,” he whispered.

“Alexi….”

Lex…

The way Abbie said my name made my heart thunder. Like in that moment I was the center of her universe. It fired every protective instinct I had. I wanted her to be mine.

But she’s not yours. When she finds out she’ll run.

Or I would find a way to keep her because I wasn’t sure if I could let her get away.

As I nuzzled her neck, I blinked, trying to ward off the intruding thought. She could be mine. I could let myself have something I wanted. Just this once, I might not have to hide. She’s not yours. I wanted to surround myself with her softness and forget, but I couldn’t. I should let her go.