I jolted when I realized I was naked. The shocking vulnerability threatened to take hold, but I held it at bay by meeting his gaze directly. I could do this. I wanted this. He was so unbelievably sexy. And I’d already come to care about him more than I probably should, but I couldn’t help that.

Mimicking him, I said, “You’re still overdressed, Alexi.”

He chuckled. “Okay, you might have a point there.” Shifting off the bed, he yanked off his jeans and boxers and grabbed his wallet before discarding them. I tried to meet his gaze, but I couldn’t. My eyes focused on his thick erection. I swallowed hard.

“Sweetheart, my eyes. They’re up here.”

Flushing, I dragged my gaze up to meet his. As if sensing my sudden hesitation, he kissed me again, slowly as if to tell me no pressure. What I'd wanted was a flash of heat and torn clothing. But he was giving me seduction. I was afraid of seduction. Afraid of wanting it. Afraid of needing it. “Alexi, I—”

He lifted his head. “You want me to stop?” His eyes pleaded with me to say no, but his set jaw told me he was prepared to.

“No. I just—I—” No matter what I tried I couldn’t get the words out properly.

“Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

I swallowed. “I don’t have much experience. I haven’t got a clue how to seduce or anything.”

The smile that spread across his face was possessive. “You've been seducing me with your eyes, your smile, and your lips since the moment I met you. I'm about to die because I want you so bad, and you want to pretend you haven't got a clue how to seduce? Me thinks the lady wants to torture me some more.” He nipped at my shoulder.

I giggled. “I'm serious. I need you to take the lead.”

“And so I am. I want you so much I can’t think straight. I can’t focus. All I can think about most days is how you sound when you laugh. And how you taste. I can take the lead if you want, but don’t worry about seducing me. I’ve been seduced since we fell into that puddle.” He kissed me again. This time a little more demanding. Instead of teasing my tongue into mating with his, the kiss was authoritative. Skilled and insistent.

He shifted over me until he settled between my thighs, and I could feel the heat between us. His erection was mere inches from my slick core. One shift of my hips, and he'd be nudging my entrance.