A million reasons came to mind. Because I cared about her, which was uncharted territory for me, sexually or otherwise. Because I wanted it to be good for her. I was usually confident I had that under control, but I suddenly found myself sweating. And because she was so fucking beautiful that it made me ache a little inside.

I tried to capture all the reasons in one sentence. “Because I’m so into you that it’s insane.”

It was. It was like a drug. It might be my undoing.

She hummed a little sigh, smiling. “Same here.”

Not to mention I’d been waiting for this for a long time and had no shortage of built-up sexual frustration. Part of me wanted to bend her over, pull her hair, and fuck her into next Friday, which was definitely not on the table tonight. I was more than okay with that; I just needed to slow my roll a little. Somehow.

I stroked the hem of her T-shirt—my T-shirt—between my finger and thumb. “You know, this is very, very sexy on you,” I said. “Maybe you can put it back on later.”

Bailey nodded silently, reaching down to help me pull it over her head and tossing it onto the floor. Her lacy white bra showcased her plump breasts perfectly. I sucked in a breath, hardening even more. Damn.

I traced a finger along her bra strap, down the valley between her breasts, and back up to the other side. She drew in a small breath, goose bumps popping up along her skin.

I dipped under the waistband of her shorts, toying with the elastic. “Same with these.”

She tugged them down and stepped out of them. All that was left was the lacy white bra and matching panties, combined with miles of smooth, touchable skin. Not quite naked but hot as fuck.

My hands spanned her hips, and I picked her up, then I placed her on the bed so that I was on top of her, between her legs. God, she looked fucking good beneath me, and she felt even better.

I slid my hands under her thighs and gripped her plump ass. She let out a breathy moan as I peppered kisses along her neck, lifting her against my hard cock. This was perfect. Now we needed to replicate it without clothing.

Not yet.

Get it together, Carter.

Instead, I grabbed her hands and pinned them to the bed. Then I ducked my head, capturing her mouth with mine. Bailey giggled against my lips, half-heartedly squirming in my hold.

Still holding her hands, I pushed myself up so I was hovering over her while she lay back on my pillow.

I raised an eyebrow. “Looks like you’re stuck, James.”

“You like being in charge, huh, tough guy?” Her lips curved.