Page 41 of Promise You Forever

After brushing my teeth, I pull my shirt off and throw it in the hamper. I’m halfway done pulling the zipper down on my jeans when I hear a knock at my door.

“It’s open,” I call out.

“I just wanted to say thank you.” She doesn’t open the door, so her voice is muffled. “It means a lot to me that you came running like that.”

I cross the room in two strides and pull the door open. She’s standing in an oversize UCLA shirt that hits her at mid-thigh. Her eyes widen, pupils flaring as I open the door. She drinks the sight of me in, eyes roaming over my exposed skin with desire. Normally she’d be able to hide it, but I think she’s upset enough to not realize.

“I—” She drags her stormy gray eyes to mine. “I’m so grateful.”

She lunges at me suddenly, her arms wrapping around my waist and ear to my chest. My arms immediately encircle her, my cheek resting on the crown of her head.

Fuck.

It feels so good to have her touching me. Her fingertips press into my flesh as she clings to me. She’s not backing away, so I’m not dropping my arms. I’ll stand here all night long if she’d let me. I peek past her, seeing Charlie curled up on the end of her bed, already asleep.

Knowing that Charlie is fine eases some of the residual tension, but I need to see Eli’s eyes to know she is. I lift my hands from her waist and cup both of her cheeks, tilting her head back. Her lips part as she looks from my eyes down to my lips and back up.

“Eli.” Her name is a gravelly rasp from my mouth. My control is seconds from snapping.

“Yes?” The word sounds heady, but maybe it’s just me.

“If you don’t turn around and go to bed in the next five seconds, I’m going to kiss you.”

Her lips slam against mine before I can even start the countdown in my head. She opens for me instantly, desire and need pouring from her into me. Maybe it’s the other way around. I can’t be sure of anything aside from the storm raging between us.

It feels like there was never any time missed between us as she pushes me back into the room and closes the door behind her. She tastes the same. Kisses the same. Makes the same needy whimper against my lips.

Is this really happening?

Am I dreaming?

As if she could read my thoughts, she nips my lip, the pain a short-lived sting. I need to know her boundaries here, though, because I’m ready to tear her shirt over her head and fuckingdevour her whole. From the way her fingers keep slipping inside the open waistband of my jeans, I think she’s ready for that, too.

“How far are we taking this?” I ask against her lips. “I need an answer so I can pump the brakes, if necessary.”

“The brakes are out.” She pushes me back on the bed.

I lift my hand and cup her cheek again. “I won’t let us crash.”

“Good.” She crawls on top of me and pulls her shirt off, leaving her in nothing but a pair of black cotton panties, her teardrop-shaped breasts sit perfectly on her chest as leans back down to kiss me again.

I inhale sharply at the sensation of her hardened nipples grazing my chest. My hands find her hips, grinding her down against my cock and then slipping to her ass. I slide my fingers under the hem of her panties, palming both of her cheeks. Memories of biting and kissing it come flooding back.

My wildest dreams are being fulfilled right now. She trails kisses down my neck as her hand slips inside my boxer briefs and wraps around my throbbing cock. She shifts her weight to the side and starts pushing my pants off.

I flip us once I’m free of all my clothes. I can’t risk coming too soon. What if she wakes up and regrets this? Never wants to be with me again?

I wrap her wrists in one hand, pinning them over her head. “Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask breathlessly.

“Touch me and find out.” Her legs fall open with the challenge.

I cover her mouth with mine as my free hand begins its descent down her body. Her skin is unbearably soft against my calloused hands. She gasps into our kiss as I pinch her piqued nipple. I break our kiss, bringing my mouth down to the other nipple, flicking it with my tongue. Goosebumps erupt from her skin as I drag my fingertips down her belly.

I groan against her at the wet spot growing on her panties as I tease her. Digging deep for patience, I keep slowly tracing circles over her clit. She struggles against me, trying to free her arms. But I’ve been thinking about this moment for years, and I’m not rushing a single second of it.

“Luke.” My name is the cutest annoyed growl on her lips. “Stop teasing me.”

I lift my head from her breast and smile down at her. “But it’s so much fun. Do you know how long I’ve waited to have you?”

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