Page 40 of August

Earlier he’d said kissing her had been a mistake. If he really felt that way, he’d say so now.

“No,” he growled.

She inhaled sharply. Anger burned her eyelids and she pulled away, blinking rapidly, but his hand held fast, biting.

His other hand snaked around her waist, drawing her to the front of his body. “I don’t just want you, Georgia. I fucking need you.”

The scent of spearmint toothpaste filled her nose as his lips dipped to hover millimeters from hers. “I’ve needed you every goddamn day since I left for that mission. I thought I could man up and give you space. I forced myself to when you were engaged. Now... I don’t know what this is or how to respond, but I can’t, for the life of me, not have you.”

All the moisture left her mouth.

“So, no. I don’t want you. I need you, and not just sexually. I need your heart, your soul, and everything you’re willing to give.”

Tears rimmed her eyes. “I don’t want to screw this up again.” Her voice shook.

He let go of her wrist to drive his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck. The heat of his gaze burned through her, seizing her soul. His thumb traced the column of her neck. “We can’t do promises. Not right now. But will you trust me here?”

She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, weighing the possibilities. They could part ways right now. Or they could do whatever this was. Either way, they could end up royally hurt. Her heart jumped in her chest.

The answer was simple. She’d take August in any form he was willing to give. Caution be damned.

“Yes.”

CHAPTER 13

Something flashed inside August. Call it relief, call it desperation. Whatever the hell it was, he saw it mirrored in Gigi’s eyes. He no longer had to hold back. His fingers twitched on her skin and he brought his lips to hers, this time not forcefully but gently, coaxing.

Her body melted against his and she wrapped her arm around his neck. Her other hand was as gentle as a feather on his side. The buttery fabric of her tank top against his bare skin sent his brain into a tailspin.

His cock hardened against the thin material of his briefs and desire oscillated at his temples, but he forced himself to take it slow. If he wasn’t careful, he’d have both of them coming in seconds and this whole thing would be over before it began.

And he wanted to savor every minute of Gigi. He’d waited too damn long for this.

Her silky strands swirled around his fingers and her mouth was hot and wet against his. Cupping the back of her neck, he exposed her throat so he could trail kisses over the soft skin there. Her unique, sweet flavor touched his lips and his tastebuds demanded more.

Sweeping his tongue over the hollow near her collarbone, he felt her body coil against his. A deep, feminine moan emerged from her lips and her hold on him tightened. Her little body shook in his arms, and she plastered her front to his.

Every inch of her flesh sharpened his awareness. Her full, pert breasts firmly touching his ribs, her nipples poking through the fabric of her shirt, her slim belly skimming his cock. He let out a growl of possession. “God, I missed you,” he murmured.

Her eyes, wild hazel pools of sin and savior, tethered his gaze like an anchor in a violent sea. “Me, too,” she said softly.

Her hand roamed from his shoulder to his abdomen then trailed down, stopping at his waistband. She ran her fingernails back and forth there, teasing.

“I want you to know something.” This time her voice was bolder. “Being with Todd was the biggest mistake of my life.”

August’s muscles clenched at the mention of her ex. “He’s a dead man as soon as I find—”

“I’m not done.” Her chastising tone made him swallow the words festering on his tongue. “Besides the obvious reasons why dating Todd was a bad idea... I should’ve waited. When you called that day, I—” Her voice cracked. “I was stunned. And when we hung up, I knew I’d screwed up. I’m sorry it took me so long to say this.” Her tone was soft, as if the apology had broken something inside her.

He toyed with the satiny skin beneath her jaw. “Baby, the last thing I want is for you to carry regret. Let me do that.”

She furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”

“It took nearly dying in a jungle to walk away and not renew my black-ops contract. Regardless, I lost you.” Fierce protectiveness rose inside him. So much of her pain would’ve been spared if he hadn’t been enlisted at that time.

But he had.

“I wish I could’ve walked away from that mission,” he breathed. “But I had to fulfill my duty.”

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