“Then don’t kiss me,” I say simply. “But…” I lean in close, my lips brushing against her cheek, causing her chest to lift with an intake of breath. “I don’t think that’s the case. I think you do want to kiss me. I think you want to touch me, get lost in me, but you’re not allowing yourself to.”

Then I kiss the spot below her ear, causing her to suck in a sharp breath. That’s it, Scottie. Let yourself feel.

I press my lips down her neck, then across her jaw while my hand climbs up her sides.

Her breath grows heavier, her lips lightly parting. As I move across her mouth, she inhales sharply before I move back to her jaw, then to her ear.

I can feel her shaking ever so slightly under my touch. I can feel her breath hold still. I can feel the vibration of want coming off her, but instead of giving in, she holds out.

She doesn’t make the move.

And because I want her to be the one to make the move, because I want her to be the one who loses control, I pull away. Her eyes lift to mine, and I can see it, right there in her dilated pupils. She wants me. She just doesn’t know how to claim me.

Time to show her how.

“Come on,” I say as I slip my hands from her shirt and take her hand again. This time, I lead her toward our cabin. It’s a fast-paced walk, not stopping for anything or anyone. When I reach the cabin, I unlock the door for the both of us and then hold it open for her to walk in first. Then I follow in behind her and lock up.

When she turns to face me, I reach behind my head and pull my shirt off, dropping it on the floor. Her eyes immediately eat me up, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I want her to be tempted. I want to push her to a limit of no return, because I know she wants this. She just needs to learn to be more assertive.

She needs to learn that it’s okay to give in to her feelings.

To take what she wants.

That I’m not going to shame her.

Or block her from finding satisfaction.

Or play games with her emotions.

I move over to the bed, where I kick off my shoes and socks, and then sit up against the headboard.

“Scottie.”

Her body turns to face me again.

“Huh?”

I take my time, giving her a long once-over, allowing my gaze to roam every inch of her body before I reach her eyes and say, “Strip for me.”

“Wh-what?” she asks, shocked, but with a hint of intrigue.

“You heard me. Strip for me.”

“I…I don’t…um, that’s not something⁠—”