“Had enough, Goose?” Even after hours, his sexy voice and warm breath on my neck are enticing. All night I’ve been the object of his skillful ministrations. He’s been devoted to me and asked nothing in return. It must be a certain kind of torture to go so long without a release.

Why hasn’t he asked me to touch him? Hell, why hasn’t he even touched himself?

Maybe he thinks I’d freak out. Quite the opposite. I’ve yet to find a part of Austin that I don’t enjoy gawking at. Touching. Kissing. I have a sudden naughty idea. I act on it before I can chicken out.

“I think maybe…” I roll over to face him. I’m staring into his eyes as I move my hand down his chest to his boxers. “Maybe it’s your turn.” I’m hoping to sound confident and sexy.

You missed by miles. More like mousy and creepy.

My poor attempt at seduction has Austin pulling my hand away. I’m not going to lie, the rejection is the emotional equivalent of getting punched in the nose, equal parts deeply horrifying and excruciatingly painful. It even makes my eyes water, much to my growing embarrassment.

“Not tonight.” He places my hand on his firm chest and covers it with his own. He must have caught the bewildered look in my eyes. “I want to. Believe me, I want to.” He gives his hips a little thrust, grinding against me as proof of his interest. “But tonight is about you, Elizabeth. Just you.” He gives me a light kiss on the top of my head as he pulls me against his chest. His skin is soft and warm under me. I want to object. I want to explain how much I crave touching him, but I can’t find the words.

“I… I want… I’d like,” I start and stop about three times, unable to find my voice. He’s watching me with hungry, gentle eyes that are at once disarming and arousing. I wish he didn’t have this power over me. I hate that he does, that I let him.

“Forget it. Never mind.” I roll over with a sigh, pulling the sheets tightly around me, and make sure to put enough space between us so that no part of our bodies is touching.

“What the fuck just happened?” he asks in confused awe.

I don’t answer. He reaches out to touch me, but I flinch and pull away.

“You went from crazy sexy to crazy crazy in two seconds flat.”

I still don’t answer.

Screw him.

I will not let him have this power over me.

I can reject him too.

“Help me out here, my head’s spinning. Elizabeth?” His voice is tender, but it does nothing to assuage the anger in me right now. “Elizabeth.” He shifts to a stern reprimand.