Tipping my head up, I noticed our faces were now just inches apart. Then I licked my lips and said, “How’s this—helpful?”

“Only if your goal is to make me insane or to be certain I kiss you,” he said. His voice was deep and gruff and made me shiver in the best possible way.

“Definitely, the kiss—” That was all I got out before his lips were on mine, and I abruptly had no idea how words were even formed.

He pulled me in high and tight until my body was pressed against his. The hand on my hip slid up my side and he buried his fingers in the hair at the nape of my neck, holding me as if he was afraid I’d get away. I would have told him not a chance, but I was too undone by the sandalwood and vanilla scent of him that surrounded me, the press of his lips against mine as he traced the seam of my mouth with his tongue, deepening the kiss as I opened to him.

I slid my hands up his arms, pausing to squeeze his powerful shoulders, then I twined my arms around his neck, locking him in while I kissed him back with equal fervor. I broke the kiss, because oxygen, but after two gasps I was ready for more. Nick had other ideas, however, as he slid his lips down my neck, kissing the pulse point at the base of my throat before sliding back up to kiss me just behind the ear. Guh.

Stars went off in my vision, my core liquefied into a hot puddle of desire, and I was certain I was having a nuclear meltdown of epic proportions. I let out a low moan and then his mouth was back on mine, and he doubled down on the rampant lust between us, nipping my lower lip and then soothing it with his tongue. Mercy, this man could kiss.

“Impulsive,” he muttered, his lips against my skin. “Reckless woman.”

I dug my fingers into his hair, wanting him to feel how much I desired him and wanting him to suffer the same acute need I was feeling. If the man did not spend the night with me, I would not survive until morning. I was sure of it.

“Come inside,” I whispered in his ear.

His body went rigid and not just the obvious part pressed up against me. He let go of me, moving his hands to my upper arms as if he was going to push me away. I was not having it.