But I also didn’t want to remind him anyone else had ever set a hand on me because I knew what he’d like to do to those hands. All of two men had done some light “petting” before I shut them down, but still, something told me that was two more than acceptable to him.

“No penetration of any kind.” What a clinical answer. Geez. No wonder it was so easy to stay single over the years.

I bucked my hips forward on reflex, and he pinned my ass back down on his hard length.

His nostrils flared. His eyes were intense and sharp on mine. Emotions charged and thrumming between us. “It should have only been my hands on you. Only you touching me.”

I sighed, and the fluttery feeling in my chest magnified as happiness and hope bottled up inside, now ready to explode outward. I wanted to stay in this moment. Pretend danger and evil weren’t threatening us. Even if for only a little longer. Because soon, I knew we’d have to wear our suits of armor again, parents playing defense to the world’s problems, protecting our son.

“No looking back,” I reminded him. “Only looking forward.”

We may have moved fast, but as my brother pointed out yesterday, that was our MO seventeen years ago. Why would now be any different?

“What can I do for you that doesn’t involve breaking the oath you made?”

I had a feeling he correctly assumed I’d signed an invisible contract with God, committing to abstain, and he had no plans on upsetting Him.

The poor guy had been through so much. The last thing I wanted was for him to add any more guilt to his plate when I was desperate to help him understand that his plate was clean.

Keeping that in mind, I knew I had to behave myself, even if lust and desire called out to me.

“Juliette?” His voice was firm but patient, reminding me he was awaiting an answer.

“Touch me without touching my bare skin. I want you to feel and see me, though. Help relieve my tension.” I tried to hang on to my sanity as I tacked on, “Please.”

He had me off him in seconds and on the bed in two more, removing my shoes before devouring me with his eyes. I rested back on the bed that looked like it belonged in a high-end boutique hotel, with its lavish duvet and pretty tufted-velvet gold headboard.

“Unzip your jeans and slide them to your thighs for me.”

Quickly heeding his command, he zeroed in on the red satin triangle between my legs. I arched my back off the bed in anticipation of the next order.

“Shirt up to your neck. I want to see more of you.” His voice was luxury, silk, and sex.