But more than that—more than the possessive hunger clawing at my insides—I wanted to protect her.
I wanted to give her everything, even if she didn’t believe it yet.
She turned slightly, her eyes catching my reflection in the mirror.
Her lips parted, her breath hitching just slightly as our gazes locked.
I didn’t look away.
Neither did she.
The air between us shifted, thick with something unspoken, something electric.
She knew.
She knew exactly what I was thinking.
And she liked it.
A slow smirk curved her lips, and she turned fully, one hand resting lightly on her hip as she faced me.
“Enjoying the view?” she asked, her voice smooth, teasing.
I stood, crossing the room in slow, deliberate steps.
She didn’t move.
Didn’t back away.
Her chin tilted up slightly as I stopped in front of her, so close I could feel the warmth radiating from her skin. Her scent wrapped around me—soft, feminine, and utterly intoxicating.
“Always,” I murmured, my fingers brushing against her waist.
She shivered under my touch, but her smirk didn’t falter.
“I have things to do today,” she said, her voice softer now, her breath catching as I dragged my fingers down the curve of her hip.
“So do I,” I replied, my lips grazing the shell of her ear. “But right now, all I want to do is ruin you.”
Her breath hitched, her composure slipping for just a moment.
I smirked, my hands tightening on her hips as I pulled her flush against me.
She gasped, her hands coming up to press against my chest, but she didn’t push me away.
She never did.
I tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze.
“What are you in a rush to do today?”
She smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I have pictures to look at, money-stealing cousins to find.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
She shrugged, stepping back slightly, but I didn’t let her go far. My hands stayed on her waist, my fingers tracing slow, lazy circles against the fabric of her dress.
“You’re going to bring one of the albums,” I murmured.