Page 33 of Because You Loved Me

She tried to jerk her hips, in an effort to urge him on and let him know how much she wanted him, but his arm around her waist held her tight.

“Asher?”

His grip on her relaxed enough for her to spin and press the front of her body against him. Her mouth found his, and he returned the kiss with renewed fervor. His hands were big and strong, holding her tight against him.

“I need you,” she said between kisses. It was an understatement, but for the life of her, Noa couldn’t think of any other way to express how badly she needed this man to bend her over the couch and make her forget the bad decisions she’d almost made. “Please.”

He jerked backward. This time he released her completely.

The cold air hit the heat of her body the moment he stepped away.

Asher stalked across the room to the farthest point away from her. He put his hands on his hips and faced the wall.

She watched, confused as he sucked in deep breaths.

“Asher? What?—”

“It’s late.” He turned to face her; his handsome face was twisted in a mask of indecision and frustration. “If you won’t let me take you back, then?—”

“Back?” She shook her head.Back?After that kiss, that…everything? He thought she was going to let him take herback? “I thought we were past that.Waypast that. I’m not going back, Asher.”

“It’s your wedding?—”

“Don’t.” She held up a finger, and he wisely shut his mouth.

Noa had no idea what had caused the shift between them, but she didn’t like it. Not at all.

He inhaled deeply. Even with the distance between them, Noa saw his nostrils flare and the catch of his breath when he looked at her. He moved across the floor, bent, and snatched up the flannel jacket she’d discarded earlier. Without even looking at her, he tossed it to her. “You need to put this on.”

She caught it and held it against her body. “And why is that?”

Asher spun on his heel. His pupils were blown, and he swallowed hard. “Because if you don’t,” he said through clenched teeth, “I’m afraid I’ll push you up against the wall and tear that sexy fucking lace off your body with my teeth before I sink myself so deeply inside you that we both see stars.”

Fuck.

She swallowed hard, dropped the flannel, and stood up tall, thrusting her tits out toward him. “And?”

A low growl rumbled from deep in his chest. “Noa.” Her name was a warning. “The flannel.”

Her eyes defiant, she dared him to make good on his threat—or should she say, promise. Noa didn’t move.

Instead, she tilted her head, just a little, and let her tongue slip between her lips to taste the deliciousness he’d left behind.

“Dammit.”

He moved so fast, she didn’t realize what was happening until his mouth crushed hers and he had her pushed up hard against the wall, his arm behind her, taking the brunt of the force. His kiss left no question that he would make good on his threat, and her body thrummed with delight.

His hands were everywhere, pulling, pinching, and driving her wild while his mouth worked hers. With his body pressed hard against hers, he pulled away from her mouth. “I won’t do this, Noa. Not tonight.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he stopped her. “I meant what I said. Tonight was supposed to be your wedding night, and whether you think it means nothing or not, I won’t be the guy who makes a hard situation even harder.”

“What do you?—”

“I want nothing more than to finish what we started here. And we will.” He ran his thumb along her swollen bottom lip. “When you’re ready.”

“Iamready.” In an effort to try to prove it, she thrust her hips up at him, grinding into his hard, thick cock. “I think that’s clear.”

“Not tonight, Noa.” Somehow he managed to grab the discarded flannel and without hardly backing away from her, he pressed it against her. “The flannel. Or I take you back right now.”

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