Page 51 of Misery and Ecstasy

“I like working with my hands.” His eyes ignite brighter with each word.

I feel his admiration for the hobby he cherishes, but I also understand the deeper meaning to what he says. Suddenly—almost like I’m in a trance–my feet move, propelling me forward.

I walk to the car and place my hand where Draven’s just was, tracing the same path up the hood but stopping about a foot away from him. Getting a closer look at the car, and knowing Draven rebuilt the entire thing, gives me a brand new appreciation for it.

“It’s beautiful.”

I drop all pretenses that I’d ever disliked his car, despite telling him so several times in the past. Locking onto his stare again, this man looks straight into my soul, holding me captive and rooting me to the place where I stand before speaking his next words.

“I have a deep appreciation for beautiful things.”

My breath leaves me with an audible gasp. Willpower vanished. I hope my eyes convey my wish for him to take me in his arms and kiss me. To hold me close and allow me to feel him inside of me again.

Why him?

Whynothim?

I’ve managed to find something wrong with every man who has ever shown the slightest interest in me. A fault of mine I’ve never admitted to anyone. Not even Marissa, though she’s so good at what she does, she probably already identified it in me.

Am I truly afraid of being close to him because he’s in the club?

Or am I scared because I’ve always been this way? Afraid to let someone in. There’s a reason I push people away before they get the chance to hurt me first.

“Draven…” His name comes out in a whisper, the intense way he’s looking at me stealing my voice.

“I know.” He closes his eyes in disappointment, misunderstanding my meaning. “You should go. I’ll walk you to your car.”

When he moves to step around me, my hand reaches out and captures his. Almost as though we’re in slow motion, he turns his head, looking down at our joined hands. He lifts his gaze to mine, seeking consent from me. When my breath hitches in my throat, he loses control.

Pressing my body against the side of his car, he crushes his lips to mine, eliciting a moan from me. I can feel his smile form against my lips as the sound hits his ears. His hands roam my body from my hips up my sides before he cups my breasts in his palms.

“Draven…” Panting, my words vibrate between our joined lips.

“What?” He’s breathing just as hard as I am.

“I have a confession to make…”

Our chests rise and fall together as he opens his eyes, waiting for what I’m about to say.

“I actually love your car. I always have. I think it’s sexy… Like you.”

Before I know what’s happening, he grips my blouse and tears it open. Buttons fly in every direction as adrenaline floods my system. Draven removes his lips from mine to kiss a delicious path down my body. Kneeling before me, he catches my stare as he unbuttons my jeans. I gently kick my shoes off while pinned under his hungry and possessive glare.

It makes me feel both weak and strong all at once.

It makes me want to give myself over to him completely, to bend to his will. Yet I feel like the one with all the power when he looks at me as though he will never tire of worshiping my body.

The slow heat that’s been simmering within me since we were in the kitchen ignites to a roaring blaze. He makes quick work of my jeans, holding my hips steady as I step out of them. Tearing his eyes from mine, he narrows his gaze on the spot where my thighs meet. Reverently, he runs his fingers over the fabric of my panties, cocking an eyebrow when his fingertip meets the wet spot that has gathered on the front.

With one hand on each of my thighs, he carefully parts my legs before pulling my panties to the side. He glances my way once more before his tongue slowly reaches out and slides through my parted lips. The groan that hits my ears and the way he licks at my slit causes goose bumps to break out all over my skin.

“Fuck, Kins…” My name leaves his lips in a whispered ache I’ve never heard come from any man before him. As though he will die without another taste of me.

Draven both cures my hunger and intensifies my thirst.

It’s all he says before he parts me with his fingers and sucks my clit between his lips. I cry out in pleasure, spurring him on. Groaning, he picks up speed as he flicks my clit with the tip of his tongue, already luring a quick and intense climax from me.

“Shit.Draven.” On trembling legs, my hand dives into his hair, gripping it tightly in my fist. “Don’t stop. I-I’m going to come…”

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