Cross My Heart (Ty & Hunter #1)(35)
Author: Carly Phillips

She lifted her head, questions in her dark eyes. As she moved, her long, lithe body molded to his.

Her ni**les tightened and as if there were no clothing between them, the tight peaks pressed into his skin.

A low, need-filled groan pushed up from the back of his throat.

Her eyes opened wider, a soft rush of uneven breath escaping.

“Ty?” She ran her tongue nervously over her lips, moistening them.

His body envisioned all sorts of possibilities and his ever analytical mind wasn’t helping. It raced with the pros and cons of saying to hell with caution and giving in to what they both wanted.

He knew the moment he gave in and he understood his reasons. He already knew he’d never get her out of his heart, so why not enjoy what she offered?

If she was offering.  He was no longer a child unable to cope with loss or desertion, nor was he the young man too stupid to go after the girl he loved. What he was, was an adult capable of having an affair and moving on afterward.

Yeah, right. But just because he knew better didn’t mean he intended to stop himself and regret it for the rest of his sorry life.

He looked into her passion-filled eyes. Passion for him alone. “Lilly, I need you to be sure, because if we start something right now, there’s no way I’m going to be able to stop.” His words were as much a warning to her as notice to himself.

This would be it.

There would be no turning back.

“Oh.”

She waited, saying nothing more as his heart beat out a rapid, nervous rhythm.

He reminded himself that if she walked away now, he’d be no worse off than he was last night and the night before that. Hell, other than needing another ice-cold shower and suffering from even less hours of sleep, he’d probably be a lot better off. Because then he wouldn’t know what it felt like to make love to Lilly. To lose himself in her soft, moist flesh as he’d been dreaming of night after night.

“It’s probably a mistake,” she said at last, her voice soft.

“Definitely,” he agreed. Not that his aching body would agree.

She drew a deep breath and still he waited.

“On the other hand, I’ve wondered for so long.” Her fingers slid upwards through his hair.

Her hands were warm against his scalp and his nerve endings tingled as she playfully tugged and massaged with her fingertips.

He let out a long, slow groan. “I’ve wondered, too. I’ve asked myself what you’d feel like when I pulled you against me like this.” He cupped his hands around her, feeling the indent and definition of her waist, wondering what she’d feel like naked and writhing against his hardened groin.

She remained silent and despite the passing of years, he knew what she was thinking. Knew she struggled with the decision. He remained silent, wanting the choice to be hers. Wanting any regrets or morning-after thoughts to be hers alone, not something he’d induced thanks to his own state of pent-up yearning for this woman and this woman alone.

Because despite how still he stood, he was damn close to exploding. If she gave him the green light, he figured he’d barely make it past the couch to his bedroom a mere few feet away. He’d worry about his own regrets later and he knew he’d have more than a few.

“Lilly?” He was asking for her decision, begging actually, his voice a ragged sound he barely recognized.

“Ty,” she said softly. Seductively. Sincerely.

His groin responded, increasing the pressure as he waited.

She didn’t disappoint him. Without breaking eye contact, she reached onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips directly against his. She was hot for him, her mouth insistent, her lips telling him she was as eager as he. He slid his tongue inside, gliding back and forth, tasting her sweet heat for what seemed like an eternity, tongues tangling, dueling, embracing in a desperate bid for completion the likes of which he’d never felt before.

She pulled his shirttail from the waistband of his pants, settling her palms against his back. He loved the feel of her small hands caressing and kneading his skin. He loved the feel of her. He bit down on her neck to show her just how much.

“Mmm. Do it again,” she murmured on a low purr.

He obliged, grazing her with his teeth until she moaned with pleasure. His groin throbbed and he broke into a sweat.

Little buttons rose up the length of her dress and he started working on them, one by challenging one.

“There’s a zipper in the back that might make it easier,” she said, her eyes glittering with amusement.

He hurt too much to laugh. She turned and lifted her hair, revealing the tiny zipper and her slender neck.

He slid the hook down along her back but instead of sliding the dress off her shoulders, he first leaned forward and pressed his lips against her bared skin and lingered, nibbling at her soft flesh.

She shuddered and let out an erotic-sounding groan. He wanted to hear that noise again but this time he’d be inside her. Just not yet. He was beginning to discover how much he enjoyed foreplay with Lilly.

“You like this.”

“Mmm.”

Approving of her answer, he kissed her neck again, this time sliding his tongue over skin he’d tasted. He alternately nibbled and soothed until she writhed with pleasure, stepping backwards until her bottom came into direct contact with his straining groin.

He closed his eyes, savoring the desire building inside him. His hips jutted forward and he nearly came then.

He slid his hands around until he cupped her br**sts from behind and discovered her ni**les were drawn into tight peaks, begging for his attention and his touch. He didn’t know what she looked like nude though he’d imagined many times and dreamed about it even more. He needed to find out.

He turned her around before pushing the dress off her shoulders and watching as it pooled around her ankles on the floor. Reality proved even better than his dreams. Her br**sts were fuller than he’d thought, her black bra pushing her br**sts upwards until they appeared to overflow the lace-edged cups. Her face was flushed, the blush spreading down her neck to her chest and he couldn’t tear his gaze away.

She cleared her throat and his gaze shot upwards, meeting hers.

“You could say something,” she said, her embarrassment sweet and endearing.

“I might be speechless, but I’m not too stunned to do this.” He picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. The way he’d always dreamed of doing.

Nine

T y’s bedroom had been his sanctuary since Lilly had come to stay with him. After tonight, he wouldn’t be able to escape her anywhere in his small apartment. Her scent and her touch would be with him wherever he went.