Page 47 of Hard Knock Hero

“Not yet.”

His back expanded as he breathed. Touching him with one hand wasn’t enough anymore. I tucked my towel again at my chest to secure it, then rested both of my palms on his shoulder blades. They dragged down. Lower and lower, until both my hands rested at his hips, where the muscle flared out again in generous, firm curves. My thumbs dipped slightly beneath his towel at his lower back, finding hard, compact muscle.

I felt delirious. “Can I?” I didn’t even know what I was asking exactly. My thoughts weren’t coming through clearly. I just wanted more of him.

“Jessi, you can do whatever you want to me.”

A small, desperate noise made its way past my lips. My fingers tugged at his towel, and it fell to the floor with a soft whoosh.

Aiden turned his head to look over his shoulder at me, and the unguarded lust in his expression set me on fire. I wrapped my arms around him at chest level. My hands found the swell of his pectorals, and we both inhaled sharply. I rested my cheek at the base of his neck. Inhaled him, salty from sweat and that scent that made me think of the ocean. My tongue darted out to lap at his skin, and Aiden groaned. He tasted salty, too.

Only my towel separated us. His ass tightened against me. My nipples beaded, the rough Terry cloth rubbing my skin and Aiden’s skin at the same time. Aiden’s entire body seemed to be clenched so hard he was vibrating.

I loved it.

“Are you testing me, Jessi? Trying to see if I’ll lose control?”

“I know you won’t. But if you don’t like what I’m doing, you can tell me.” My hands moved down again as I closed my eyes. I touched the ridges of his abs. Found the soft trail of hair that started near his belly button.

Another groan. “I like it way too much.”

I swirled a finger around his belly button. I felt the heat and desire radiating from him. His musky scent. He didn’t move, just let me stand there, pressed to him, my arms around him. He was very turned on, and I knew it. So was I. If I moved my hand even slightly, I’d be able to feeleverythinghe had for me.

My hands didn’t go any lower, but I pressed kisses to the base of his neck. The moment grew. Gathered weight and substance. A pulse throbbed between my legs.

He looked over his shoulder at me again, pupils dilated. Dark and intense. “I need to be alone now, Jessi. You should go.”

Unless you plan to stay, his tone warned. But if I did, my towel was coming off. We both knew that. Aiden would press our bodies together, lift me up, and I would feel every achingly hard inch of him. And that wouldn’t have been going slow. That would’ve been full-speed ahead. I did want that. Isowanted it. But I also wasn’t ready.

Reluctantly, I separated from him and backed away. “Sorry. I’m wasting your hot water.”

“A cold shower isn’t a bad idea after all that.”

My hand pressed to my mouth, covering a laugh. I got a brain-searing eyeful of his naked, sculpted butt before I spun and left the room. Then I pulled the door all the way closed and leaned against it, panting to catch my breath.

Going slow with Aiden was going to be more difficult than I’d thought.

* * *

He took a long shower, even though the water had to be cold.

I hung my towel on a hook, dressed in my pajamas, and spent way too much time arranging the blankets and pillows on my bed. When he came out, his hair was tousled and he was wearing gray boxer briefs. No shirt. He set his folded dirty clothes on the floor. Then looked up, probably having noticed I hadn’t set out his bedding like last night. “Where would you like me to sleep?”

I scooted over on the bed. “You can sleep here. With me.”

The mattress compressed as he lay down, getting under the covers. I switched off the light, blood thumping at my throat. But my nerves settled as the minutes passed. I wanted him here, and he wasn’t going to take things any further than I wished. I had the reins. We’d proven that in the bathroom.

I hadreallyenjoyed proving that in the bathroom.

Aiden was a comforting, solid presence. And my bed had been lonely for such a long time.

I curled on my side, facing him. I could see his eyes in the low light. “Hi,” I said.

“Hi,” he rumbled.

My hand reached over to him and touched his arm. I trailed down his thick bicep and corded forearm until our fingers laced together. He lifted our hands. Kissed my knuckle. I scooted closer to him until my head found his shoulder. We both readjusted, his arm going around me and tucking me against his side.

“Just this,” he whispered.

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