She turned to give him her attention. He was at the dresser, rifling through one of the drawers.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He bit off the word, and she frowned.
“Jake. It’s me. Don’t revert to your old self. Tell me what’s going on.”
He released a sigh that was filled with trepidation. “We’re in here, and you’re acting like it’s normal.”
He still hadn’t looked at her, not even in the mirror.
Worry set in her belly. Was he regretting this? Did he want her to leave?
“What’s not normal?”
His shoulders seemed to drop, and he turned to face her again. Even in the darkened room, the moon gave her enough light to see his expression.
“You. That bed. Everything.”
She was even more confused and opened her mouth to say just that. Instead, Jakob took two big steps toward her and grabbed her by the arms. Yanking her forward, he bent his head and slammed his mouth down on hers. For a moment, she didn’t react. How could she? Jakob Wulf, the man of all her fantasies, was kissing her like his life depended on it.
Then, heat blasted through her in one split second, rushing along her veins like an inferno. She slipped her hands up his chest and over his shoulders as she answered his kiss with everything she had. He pressed her closer, letting her feel the long, thick length of him. Her entire body lit up, her blood heating, her nipples hardening, and her sex flooding with liquid. Jesus, no man had ever touched her and set her off like a Roman candle.
Jakob slid his tongue along the seam of her closed lips. Without hesitation, Lani opened her mouth. He stole inside. A moan of pleasure filled the room, and she realized it was her. Just from a kiss, from the feel of his invasion, and she was ready to come.
He tangled his hands in the neat chignon the hairdresser had created, destroying it. He wrenched his mouth away from hers, but before she could complain, he attacked her neck. Oh, hell, the man was very talented with this tongue and teeth. Primitive need pounded through her, urging her to get as close as possible. He kissed his way up to her ear, taking her sensitive lobe between his teeth.
“Jake.”
Just that one little word had him pulling away from her. Cold air replaced the heat he had ignited.
“Sorry.”
She blinked, her eyes opening to take in his expression. His face was flushed, his eyes heavy-lidded, and his hair was a wreck, which she was sure was her fault.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I jumped the gun. I don’t want to push you.”
“You can push me as much as you want as long as it is down on the mattress.”
He rolled his shoulders and opened his mouth to say something else stupid. She was sure, but Lani had had enough. The long months of working hard and losing a relationship with her brother…that all added up. But Jakob had said he wanted her. He had kissed her like his life depended on it. Now this?
She stepped closer and drew in a deep breath. The sweet, night air tangled with his masculine scent, leaving her more than a little lightheaded. Using her index finger, she trailed a path down his chest along the row of buttons of his dress shirt.
“I think I know what I want. I’m not underaged. In fact, I am well past the age of consent. It’s not like I’m a virgin.”
He drew in a deep breath, and she looked up at him.
“I don’t want to hear about that.”
“Only fair since I’ve seen things about you in the rag magazines for over a decade. And besides, please don’t tell me you’re one of those guys who expects a woman to stay pure.”
“I’m not. I just?—”
He broke off his words and looked away.