Page 110 of Bottles & Blades

So, I do.

As we reach the end of the row of vines, I slide to a stop, wait for him to turn toward me again, and then…

I pounce.

“Wh—”

But I’ve already—quite literally—pounced, launching myself into his arms.

He reacts quickly, as I knew he would, grabbing me around the middle then hooking his arms beneath my butt and hefting me up.

One second, I’m straining to reach his mouth.

The next, I’m wrapping my legs around his waist and our mouths are locked.

It’s not gentle, and mostly I think, because I don’t let it be.

This man lights me on fire and he’s made it clear he wants me and…I know how to kiss now. Because he taught me and I’ve been paying attention and I know exactly what he likes.

Our tongues tangle, our lips meld, and because his hands are busy, mine get to do the fun work.

I smooth them over the strong lines of his shoulders, down along his chest, squeezing the tight pecs. Then I shove them between our bodies, beyond his flat stomach, and into the waistband of his jeans?—

Which is when he moves.

I bounce against him as he strides forward, my mouth jostled from his just in time to see a copse of oak trees, a large, flat rock before I’m laid on top of it.

“So fucking pretty,” he murmurs as he steps between my thighs.

I want him to fuck me like this, staring down at me, eyes hot, mouth curved into that cocky smile, hands gripping each of my thighs. The image is so clear in my mind, so intense, that I shiver. And he notices, his head tilting slightly to the side, his gaze locking with mine.

“What just went through your mind, buttercup?” he asks, bending over me, one hand on either side of my head, his mouth temptingly close.

“You seem to be the mind reader,” I tease, “why don’t you tell me?”

He shifts, grinding the hard ridge of his erection against me, and I shiver again, legs clamping around his waist. “Yeah,” he says, having earned that cocky smile, “I know exactly what you’re thinking, baby. Because”—he drops his mouth to mine for a scorching kiss—“I’m thinking the same damned thing.”

I shudder, my thighs convulsing. “Why don’t you?” I find myself asking with far more courage than I expect of myself.

He gave me that.

He groans softly and straightens away from me, wrapping his hand around mine. “I thought you were an angel—never knew I’d see the devil inside you so soon.”

“Jean-Mi!” I shriek as he drags me up to my feet. “What are we—ack!”

I don’t finish the question because he’s tossing me over his shoulder and carrying me deeper into the grove of trees.

And what I see when he stops has my heart melting.

There’s a blanket spread out on the ground.

A basket beside it.

He shifts and I’m flying forward, sailing through the air.

But I have a soft landing.

Because of course I do.

---