Beneath This Ink (Beneath #2)

I wondered for a moment if he considered my uninked skin boring. But the expression on his face—the way his eyes devoured me—it didn’t appear to bore him in the least.

“You’re so fucking beautiful. I shouldn’t even be allowed to put my hands on you.” His chest rose and fell with a rough breath. “Tell me to walk away. Tell me not to touch you. Tell me—”

I tugged at his hold on my wrists, wanting to cover his mouth with my hand. Wanting to silence his words. But his grip was too strong. He was too strong. “Don’t make me tell you to shut up again.”

The intensity in his gaze sharpened. “You shouldn’t let me have you.”

“Why? Why would you even say that?”

“Because once I have you—and remember every goddamn detail—I can’t promise I’ll let you go. And you need me to let you go. I need to be able to let you go.”

I didn’t want to think about what his words might mean—because they didn’t matter. All that mattered was right now. And I needed him to touch me.

“Are you really saying you’d rather I tell you to back off and walk away?”

“If I were a better man…that’s exactly what I’d do.”

“I don’t want a better man. I want just you. Right here, right now.”

“Then so be it.”

Con’s dark blue eyes flashed, and his nostrils flared as he released my wrists. I thought he would pounce on me. Pin me to the wall. Fuck me until I couldn’t walk.

But he stepped away, exiting the shower.

What the hell?

“Fuck. Need a condom.” Con’s grunted words were accompanied by slamming drawers. “Shit.”

A moment later he was back. Shaking his head, Con said, “You will never know how goddamn sorry I am that I’ve never brought a woman here.” He paused. “Shit. That came out wrong. I mean. Fuck. I just…I don’t have any protection. Don’t fucking keep it in my wallet anymore. Or in the saddlebags of my bike.”

“You’ve got to be joking.”

“Sorry, babe. I’m not.”

I covered my face with both hands. Screw it. “Are you clean? I mean, have you been…”

“Tested? Yeah. And I’m clean.”

“Well, so am I.”

“You seriously saying you want to go bare? Because I gotta be honest, I’m not sure I’m okay with that.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression unreadable.

“Are you kidding me?” The incredulity in my tone could absolutely not be missed.

Con grinned. “Yeah, princess. Of course I’m fucking kidding you. You think I’m going to pass up the opportunity to get my dick inside you with nothing between us?”

I reached down and shoved my panties off my hips. “Then get your ass back in here.”

I’m not sure when I forgot to care that I was naked in front of Con. Somewhere in my absolute horror at the thought of ending this night without being with him, I realized that whatever hang-ups I still had with my body—and there were plenty—Con didn’t share them. The way he looked at me…the things he said to me…He just wanted me.

For the first time in my life, I felt like a seductress. This man was under my power, and I was going to revel in it.

Con didn’t waste any time. Two long, sure strides, and he had me pinned against the wall again.

“You’re nothing like I expected. Not in my wildest dreams.”

My confidence faltered. “I—I’m not?”

He shook his head. “No. You’re so much fucking better.”

Relief rushed through me hotter than the spray of the shower—which was still running and had yet to turn cold.

He continued, “I thought I’d have to warm you up, but you’re so fucking hot, you burn me before I can even touch you. It’s…” He swallowed. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”

His hands framed my face, and once again we were all lips and tongues and teeth. I’d never realized that kissing a man could be so…intense.

When he finally pulled away, he spun me around so I faced the tile wall. “As much as I want to look at your gorgeous face, this works better for now.”

I could have bristled at his comment because it just reminded me of how much more experience he had than me, but instead I embraced it. Why should I care? I was going to be the beneficiary of everything he’d learned from every one of the women who’d come before me.

He nipped at my ear. “Brace yourself on the wall. It’s gonna get a little rowdy in here.”

Shivers racked my body as he dragged his teeth down my neck and bit my shoulder lightly before laving the spot with his tongue. My head dropped forward, a ragged sigh escaping my lips.

Strong hands snaked around my body and cupped both breasts. Clever fingers teased and tugged at my puckered nipples.

“Fucking love your tits. Gonna come on them later.”

His crass words unleashed a tidal wave of desire inside me. I shouldn’t like this. Shouldn’t want this. Shouldn’t want him.

But I’d never wanted anything more.

“And if you ever try to hide them from me again,” he cupped them both in one big hand, “I’m gonna paddle your ass.”

I opened my mouth to protest and shut it when a stinging slap landed on the side of my left butt cheek.