He snapped at the finger circling his lips and made her squeal. “On second thought, you look like a duck.”
“Very funny. Maybe I’ll recite some baseball stats.” He tugged until she snuggled down with her head on his chest. She smelled like freshly washed hair and body wash, scented and girlie. Her small hand covered his thundering heart. His bigger one skimmed down her back, dipping at her waist, over her hip and up again. Even that simple touch had him on fire.
He’d need those stats before the night was over.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before.” She spoke into the quiet and his hand stilled. “I should have. That wasn’t fair, but I…”
“If you thought I wouldn’t want you, you’re wrong.” It killed him that she’d thought that. That she’d been thinking it the whole time. The issue was more the truth she didn’t know about him. The stain and ugliness of his soul.
“Hannah, I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. I still want you.” And if he pulled her a little closer, she’d feel exactly how much. Before he could force himself to create some space between them, she lifted her face and pressed her lips to his. It was a soft meeting, a kiss so profound it brought tears to his eyes. Because she mattered. Everything about her, everything about being near her mattered, when he hadn’t wanted anything to matter for so long. Wasn’t entirely sure he did now. Because he wasn’t good for her and she was undoubtedly smart enough to know that.
So he meant to keep it there, just a kiss, until she arched into his chest. His sweet, tentative Hannah. She deepened the kiss, rubbed her body against his. He shifted so that his leg eased between hers and the lines he’d drawn for himself went gray and fuzzy.
With the blood pulsing in his ears, his hand swept under her shirt. She wound her tongue around his, tugged at his hair until he groaned. And when he covered her breast with his hand, molded his fingers around it, the air left his lungs. His senses tumbled into overload with her nipple grazing his palm and her skin sliding under his lips.
“Let me touch you.” He whispered it against her lips. “I need to touch you.” Had to. Which made no sense because he was already touching her, but now that he’d started, it wasn’t nearly enough.
He rolled and braced himself above her, slid her shirt up until those perfect breasts were exposed. Until he could make out her shape and the dark pebbled peaks standing up for his attention. In the glow of four night-lights he saw Hannah’s eyes wide on his. So innocent she made him feel innocent too, like he could be someone else when he was with her.
He dipped his head and circled one breast with the tip of his tongue, spiraling inward while his fingers caressed the other. So damn perfect. And he would show her in a million ways she was beautiful.
Her breath came faster and she arched into his mouth. He smoothed a hand down between her legs and cupped her through her pajamas.
Her breath caught. “Stephen.”
“Trust me.” He brought his mouth back to hers, kissed her deeply, and circled the heel of his hand exactly where he knew she needed it most. Coaxing, seducing. When she was moaning into his mouth he stopped. Left her mouth to skim his lips between her breasts, down her stomach. Ran his tongue over skin so soft it could have been silk, never once seeing her scars.
Hyperaware, every sense was amplified. Her rapid breathing in the quiet room. His heart drumming. Unsure what else he could give her, but he could give her this. He could show her she was wanted, desired. That she hadn’t been broken in every way. He pulled the pajama pants down her legs, taking the panties with them and tossing them to the floor.
His heart nearly stopped at the sight before him. Hannah, naked but for a thin T-shirt shoved up above her rising and falling breasts. Gently, he kissed the inside of her thighs, brushed his face over the skin there. When his lips brushed over her center, her hands clenched at her sides. She gasped, jerked away from the onslaught of sensations. “Easy, baby.”
He persuaded with his lips and tongue, Hannah’s scent wrapping around him. She was sweet, so sweet, and he brought her to the crest in seconds. Her breath quickened and his head buzzed with the spicy taste of her arousal. His erection strained so painfully against his zipper, he might not live through it.
On a sharp inhale, she arched her head back, mouth open in a silent cry. So damn easy, and in the very best way.
She lay limp and trusting as he pulled her panties up, leaving the pants on the floor. He took his time trailing kisses up her body before settling in next to her.
There was a squeeze in his chest at the way her soft body fit against him, the way she curled her arm over his chest. Neither spoke. Nothing needed to be said. He pulled the worn quilt up and over them, pressed his lips to her head. “No dreams tonight.”
Chapter 25