It was pouring outside, but he’d dropped her off at the glass doors often enough to know that she didn’t want to invite him up. She’d drawn a line between them and she’d been determined not to cross it. For a few breaths they stood there, breathing through the effort that took.

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to stop,” she said quietly, as though the line were pushing back at her.

“That’s fine. I’m already wet.” He turned to leave but she reached out and grabbed him, sending a spark shooting up his arm.

Her gaze dropped to her hand on his arm, where a magnetic force emanated, engulfing their bodies and sending shock waves through them both.

Instead of fighting it and pulling away, she let her hand stroke down his arm, leaving a trail of fire in its wake, and slid it into his hand. Her grip tightened. “Come on.” It was a whisper, filled with all the things she didn’t want to say.

“Are you sure?”

Their eyes met. What was he asking?

She nodded. Yes. What was she answering?

She didn’t let his hand go as they waited for the elevator. Palm to palm. Fingers intertwined. For all the women Vansh had been with, had loved being with, he’d never held anyone’s hand. Not like this. Not where it felt like his entire body was involved in the act. More than his body.

Blood rang in his ears.

He wanted to pull their joined hands to his heart, but it felt like a spell, magical, and he couldn’t let himself break it with even the slightest movement.

In the elevator, nothing but their hands touched. Their bodies vibrated next to each other. Too close, but not close enough.

When they got to her door, she let his hand go. Her fingers shook on the keypad as she punched in the code to enter her apartment. Her hand rested on the doorknob, but she didn’t push it open. Instead she pressed her forehead into the door.

For endless moments, she didn’t move.

“You can change your mind. Do you want me to leave?” His voice was too soft, the need raging inside him too loud.

The wet-lavender smell of her hair soaked through the air, vibrated through his body, as she twisted around and reached for him.

She was in his arms. And then their lips were touching and she was devouring him like he was her last breath.

He fell into it.

The door swung open and he lifted her up, hands under her butt, tongue in her mouth. Hungry, so hungry. Ravenous. Their bodies flush, touching everywhere, her legs, her arms, everything wrapped around him. Turning around, he pressed her against the door, slamming it shut with the force of their joined bodies.