He followed her ribs down to her stomach, then her hips, cupping her ass as if he owned it. A jolt of electricity raced down her spine when he scooped her up and turned her around, arranging her until she was facing away, he was standing behind her, and his big body was nudging her legs apart.
His fingers danced down her arm, painting as they went, before lacing with hers. He drew her arm up and around his neck. He bit her shoulder, her neck, kissing his way to her ear. “Open your eyes, Harper.”
She did and noticed that he’d arranged their bodies so that they were centered with the mirror, her arms were out of his way, and he was completely and gloriously naked. Then she caught her reflection and everything seemed to still.
Her hair was messy, wet with paint and starting to curl again. Her eyes were wide, bright, and lit with passion. Her body was a fusion of colors—vibrant and bold, soft and sensual. But there was something else, a connection that glowed from the inside and sparked between them that spoke to a sexual need so strong it was visible, tangible.
Combustible.
“See all that pink,” he said, retracing his work. “That’s for your sweet romantic side that makes me smile. The yellow . . .” His hands dipped lower. “That’s for how you care, so easily and with abandon for your friends, your family. For me.” His hand slid between her legs and held. “The orange is for your uninhibited side. The part of you that is unique and bold and desperately wants to live loud. I picked the brightest orange because most people are so in awe of your sweet and giving side, they miss the adventurous one. And what a shame that is.”
Harper couldn’t breathe. She’d lived most of her life with some of her biggest pieces being shadowed and overlooked. Adam wasn’t just looking, he was seeing her, shining a light on her for the world to notice.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” he said, leaving his hand between her legs and raising the other, the one that was painted with armor, to cup her breast. “I want you to watch how beautiful you are.”
His fingers didn’t delve, they merely teased the outside, creating enough delicious friction that she felt her body ramp up. Tighten as he increased the pace. Unable to stand the pleasure, Harper’s head fell back against his chest and her eyes slid closed.
“Open up, baby,” he whispered.
She parted her legs, giving him more room.
He chuckled. “I meant your eyes, but that works too.”
It worked pretty freaking amazing. Her heart was struggling to keep up with her pulse, as he explored every dip and crevice until she was pressing against his hand, moaning for release. Adam was a master of nonverbal communication, listening to her needs.
And he gave in to her every need until she was screaming out his name.
Harper felt her body tremble, her legs buckle, but Adam was there. Strong and steady, he placed her hands against the wall, on either side of the mirror, then braced her hips back against him. She could feel his need pressing into her.
“The red,” she asked on a harsh breath. “What does it mean?”
He traced the only red paint on her body. It was a distinct handprint on her right breast.
“It means sexy.” He kissed the side of her neck. “Seductive.” The other side. “Addicting.” The back. “Arousing.” The hand splayed across her breast, making a perfect outline of the paint mark. “Mine.”
His eyes met hers in the mirror, holding her in place, while he slid home with a single stroke.
Harper gasped as Adam didn’t waste any time and pulled out, all the way out, only to slide back in—hitting the spot that had her moaning.
“Adam—”
“Hold on,” he said, clearly not stopping for anything.
Still riding the high from her last standing O, she dug her fingers into the wall, bracing herself and holding tight as they started to move together. He came forward and she pushed back and the outcome was life altering.
Ecstasy.
“Christ, Harper,” he said, his body coiled as if it were ready to snap. “Open your eyes so you can see what I see.”
When she didn’t—couldn’t—because she was dying from pleasure, he whispered, “Stay with me, baby.”
The word stay did something to her. And when coupled with me there was no way she could deny him. Willing her eyes open, she watched. Right there with him. Watched as his hands gripped her hips, as his body curved around hers, moving farther between her legs. Watched as they moved with a grace that wasn’t only chemistry or desire.
Harper noticed they moved as if they were connecting, listening and understanding each other, even though neither made a sound. Adam noticed too, and it was in his fierce gaze—which was all zeroed in on her. To be on the receiving end of that intensity, so much raw passion, took Harper by surprise. It also took her higher and higher, as she fell deeper and deeper.
So deep she knew there was no turning back.