Page 23 of Sinful Restraint

His brows drew together as realization flickered through his eyes and his gaze lowered, making me self-conscious. Or at least, it would have if he hadn’t been lookin’ at me with this predatory expression on his face.

“Oh, yo’ cramps hit like that, huh?” he asked, his fingers flicking against my ass.

“My period always has the worst timing,” I admitted. “And when it starts, the cramping hits me full force. I probably should go to the bathroom and handle this.”

When I went to get up from his lap, he kept me pinned down, his expert fingers making quick work to undo the buttons of my lounge shirt.

“What are you doin’?” I asked breathlessly.

“Takin’ shit a step further since you’re too nervous to ask.”

My stomach was doing summersaults, my bare breasts exposed to his ravenous gaze in a way that made me shiver with desire.

Cruz wasn’t asking for my permission. He was taking what he wanted and daring me to challenge him.

“I know the perfect cure for that.”

“For what?” I asked, goosebumps developing everywhere.

“Cramps,” he answered, his head tilting to the left in observation.

I arched an eyebrow. “If you say something insensitive, I swear to?—”

He cut me off when his palm reached out and grazed one of my nipples, before tugging at it. Not too hard, but with just enough pressure that caused my breath to hitch when he let it go with a pop.

“You ever notice how good pain and pleasure mix?” he asked.

A shudder rolled through me, his sly smirk deepening and proving that he felt it.

“Cruz,” I whispered, breathless when he leaned to me and his mouth found my ear.

“Mmm,” he mumbled, his voice offering nothing but dark, sinful pleasure. “Don’t think, Ri. Let me take care of you.”

I nodded, not even knowing what he meant, but wanting it regardless. His fingers dipped beneath the waistband of my thin cotton shorts, tracing the edges so slow, I couldn’t stand it.

What is he thinking?“Did you forget that?—”

“You’re on your period?” he asked, licking the side of my neck. “I ain’t forget shit.”

A soft gasp escaped me, my hips trembling on his lap before pushing into his hands like I was begging without using my words.This is insane.I wouldn’t say I’d only had vanilla interactions before, but an encounter like this? Never.

I should feel uncomfortable.

In a way, I did.

Yet, I was also aroused and clearly Cruz knew that as he chuckled smugly in my ear, all throaty and possessive.

“Oh, you need it that bad, huh?” he teased.

“Shut up,” I spat, hoping those two words didn’t sound like a moan in his ears like it did mine.

“Nah, I need you to say it, Ri.” He kissed the corner of my mouth, his hand going lower until his fingers rested at the top of my pussy. “Say you want it dirty.”

“I want …” My words trailed off when he circled my clit, my brain short-circuiting to find the right word. “I want it filthy,” I muttered, knowing the word dirty wasn’t enough.

“Ah, I knew it,” he grumbled. “Innocent Santari likes her shit filthy.” He inhaled my neck like my scent was the best thing he’d ever smelled. “How many years have you thought about tossin’ dis pussy my way but chickened out?”

So many times, but he didn’t actually need my answer, right?

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