He was only touching my stomach in small circles, but that motion was the one he used to caress me intimately when I was nearing the edge. I sucked in a breath. I couldn’t believe I was so turned on.

“Did you tell your family about me, Valentina?”

“I told my sisters and Landon. Haven’t mentioned it to Will and Jace yet because they tend to be a little overprotective.”

“But you’ll tell them?”

“Yes.”

He whirled me around until we were facing each other, then he cupped my face. I was startled by that intense look in his gaze, the hard lines on his face, the tightness in his jaw.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

His eyes were searching me as if he was trying to read every thought and every emotion. I tore my gaze from him, focusing instead on his shoulder. I hoped he couldn’t sense my inner turmoil. Everything was overwhelming even for me: my hope that this could turn into more than a fling battling with my fear of having my heart crushed again.

He wanted my family to know, and yet he still hadn’t asked me to spend any time with him and the girls. It had been about a month since we’d started sleeping together. I’d said he was a neighbor because I didn’t know how else to introduce him. I didn’t want to put a label on this that he wasn’t comfortable with.

I couldn’t put my predicament into words, and when he brought his mouth to my neck, raining kisses from the base right up to that sensitive spot below my ear, I couldn’t even think.

“Jesus, Carter!”

“I love hearing you say my name.”

Pulling back, he drew his thumb over my lips, and I parted them, darting the tip of my tongue forward. He swallowed hard, locking his gaze on my mouth. He hadn’t expected this. Then he took me by surprise, pinning me with his hips against the edge of the table. He took one of my hands in his, then slid his own down to clasp it around my wrist, two fingers pressing on my pulse point before he lowered his head and planted an openmouthed kiss where he’d touched before. God, I was so aroused....

He brought his mouth closer, speaking against my lips. “Are you turned on?”

I was aware that I was breathing faster. My entire body was on edge. But still, I shook my head playfully. Carter cocked a brow. I looked between us as I felt his hand slide further up under my blouse, cupping one breast. Then he pulled it out and moved both hands on my waist. A cocky smile played on his lips.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“Giving you a taste of what will come later tonight.”

“Oh, yeah, what’s that?”

“I’ll leave you guessing.”