Page 81 of In It to Win It

Something’s changed since she said those words; maybe she senses my turmoil. My arousal. My desire. The air around us is heavier. Hotter. Her body quivers against mine.

I lean forward and set my drink on the table. Slowly. Deliberately.

Then I take her glass and place it next to mine.

She shifts again, lifting her head, her long eyelashes sweeping up as her eyes meet mine. I cup her face, holding her gaze. Heat surrounds us and my skin tingles. “You’re beautiful,” I whisper. “I’m sorry for everything you’re going through.”

She gives a tiny nod. “Thanks.” She bites her lip briefly. “Thanks for listening. And . . . being here.”

I want to be here for her. All the time. I swallow the words and let my gaze roam over her face . . . her flushed cheeks and pink eyes, mascara smudged beneath them. So beautiful.

Our mouths are only inches apart. Her lips part. Electricity sparks around us.

“I want to kiss you,” I breathe.

Her eyelashes lower and her chin lifts, bringing her mouth closer to mine and . . . I dive in.

It’s a soft kiss at first, even though heat explodes in my belly and sweeps through me. My mouth clings to hers, once, twice . . . and the third time she moans and opens to me. I lick into her mouth, my hand sliding to her neck, around and under her hair, bringing her closer still as I angle my head and deepen the kiss.

She tastes so fucking sweet, like smooth vanilla rum and temptation and longing. A groan rumbles in my chest as we kiss again and again, deeper, hotter. Her hands are on my shoulders, gripping me, curling into my shirt. My head spins and my dick thickens even more, my body straining toward her. I drag my hand from her neck down over her clavicle, slowly, until the full curve of her breast fills my hand.

She whimpers and pushes into my palm, her fingers slipping under the collar of my shirt, teasing the sensitive skin at the back of my neck. One hand glides into my hair, the other finds my skin in the opening of my shirt. I kiss her again, then skim my mouth over her cheek, her jaw. Her head falling to the side, I suck gently on the side of her neck, then lick her there tenderly.

Her breast in my hand makes me crazy. I squeeze it gently, her hard little nipple an irresistible enticement. “Taylor.” I clasp her waist with both hands and peer into her eyes, glowing in the dark room.

“Yes.”

Is she answering my unspoken question? Or just responding to her name?

16

TAYLOR

Oh my God.My heart is hammering, my skin is hot everywhere, and I’m throbbing between my legs.

Yeah, this never happened with Anthony.

JP’s mouth is sin and seduction and sex. My body craves more of him. I’ve never forgotten how he feels against me, inside me, how hard he made me come. I crave that again, with a wicked, aching need. I can’t get close enough to him, digging my fingers into his shoulders. When he lifts his head and stares down at me, his blue eyes blazing with lust and a question, I answer him. “Yes.”

He watches me.

“Yes,” I say again, my voice a breeze. “Please.”

His eyes close briefly and his hands squeeze my waist. “I want you so much, Taylor.”

“Mmm. I want you too.” I brush my lips over his stubbled jaw. He’s so handsome, radiating masculine energy and strength.

“Thank Christ.” He stands, lifting me with him, then shocks me by picking me up.

I let out a little squeal and clutch his big shoulders.

“Night, Byron,” he calls over his shoulder as he strides down the hall with me in his arms.

I press my face against his shoulder, smiling. “Poor Byron.”

“Poor Byron my ass. He had you all to himself getting hugs and kisses. Now it’s my turn.”

I laugh softly. “You’re jealous of my dog?”

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