Page 110 of First Chance

“You were drinking tonight. I didn’t want the alcohol to inhibit your decision-making.”

“Bullshit.”

His brows tick slightly as if he wasn’t expecting me to argue. “I could taste the vodka on your tongue, Jo.”

“I had one measly shot.”

“And, before that?”

“I had a Shirley Temple with extra cherries.”

I see it the moment he realizes he was wrong. I had one shot, but that was it. I’m not anywhere near intoxicated.

His knuckles tighten around the whiskey glass resting on his knee, the two fingers of amber liquid sloshing gently from the force.

“Are you too intoxicated to make rational decisions, Lochlan?”

His other hand fingers the tip of my robe belt, smoothingthe material between his fingertips. “I haven’t taken a drink since I poured it.”

“Why not?”

“I wasn’t ready to erase the taste of your mouth,” the admission rumbles from deep in his chest.

“Take a drink and I’ll kiss you again.”

A faint smirk tips his lips. “What’s under the robe?”

He doesn’t wait for my response before tugging lightly on the tie, slowly unraveling the knot at my waist.

“My finely tuned argument for you to take me to bed.” My voice wavers slightly, and I know he hears it because his gaze finds mine immediately. He keeps watching me as he pulls the belt loose completely, letting the ties fall to either side of me.

The silk drapes open, getting caught on my breasts, but exposing my bare belly and the matching blue panties underneath because I wasn’t brave enough to go completely nude.

My nipples are tight with arousal, the points visible through the thin fabric make me feel as exposed as I would if I were naked.

When I don’t run away after being revealed, his eyes wander down my body, sending flames wherever he looks.

He inhales roughly, making his nostrils flare when he spots my panties, gripping the arm of the rocking chair in his free hand to hold himself back.

I’m so tired of the restraint.

I pluck the glass off his knee, taking two steps back to lean against the porch rail, and letting some of the moonlight drift across my bare skin.

“If you’re worried about the taste in your mouth,” I start,taking a small sip of his drink that burns all the way down. “Taste it on me.”

He’s up and out of his seat before I can set the glass down on the railing beside me, grabbing my head between his hands and kissing me brutally. His body forces its way between my thighs, crowding me until I’m sitting atop the wooden rail.

“You’re gorgeous, Jo. So, God damn perfect.” He peppers praise between his hot, open-mouthed kisses, making my head spin. “You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“You think so?”

“Darlin’, I think you’re God’s gift to this earth. A mirage of hope to be dangled in front of sinners like me.”

“But, you weren’t guilty.”

“Doesn’t mean I haven’t sinned.” He kisses my jaw and the soft spot under my ear.

“You’re a good man, Lochlan,” I insist breathlessly.

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