Page 19 of Off-Limits

He sucks in a sharp breath when I dip my fingers inside, skating them along the edge of the fabric before pushing it down over his hips. He's already hard, straining against the thin material of his boxers, and when I wrap my hand around him, he lets out a low groan that makes something deep inside me clench with anticipation.

We fall onto the bed then, our bodies tangled together as we continue to kiss and touch and explore each other. His hands are everywhere at once—cupping my breasts, caressing the curve of my hips, slipping beneath the edge of my panties to tease at the sensitive skin there. I can feel myself getting wetter with every touch, my body aching for more even as it struggles to keep up with the onslaught of sensation.

When he finally slips a finger inside me, I gasp against his mouth, arching my back to press myself closer to him. He adds another finger, then another, his thumb circling that sensitive bundle of nerves at the same time, and all I can do is hang onto him as waves of pleasure crash over me.

But just when I think I can't take any more, he stops, pulling away long enough to strip off his boxers.

As we tumble onto the bed, our bodies pressed together in a tangle of limbs and desperate kisses, I can't help but gasp at the feel of him against me—all hard muscle and soft skin. It's like every nerve ending in my body has been set alight, burning with an intensity that leaves me breathless.

He's something else, something I've always known. I'm just slightly disappointed that this is only happening now.

"God, Mia," Jake growls against my neck as he trails a line of hot kisses down to my collarbone. Each feels wet, too. "You feel so fucking good."

I moan in response, my fingers tangling in his hair as I hold him closer. This is what we've both been craving for so long. It's like a dam has burst open, and all those repressed feelings are finally rushing out.

"Finally," I breathe, arching my back to press myself even closer to him. "No more holding back."

Most importantly, I'm relieved that he isn't stuck in the same dilemma anymore. He was finally able to decide, and his decision is my happiness over his promise.

He looks up at me then, his eyes dark with desire, but also something else—relief, maybe? Or is it guilt? Either way, he doesn't give voice to whatever thoughts are running through his mind right now. Instead, he kisses me again, long and slow this time, like he's trying to memorize the taste of my lips. I'm trying to do the same, too. He's addictive.

"I know I should feel guilty," he says softly when we finally come up for air. "For breaking my promise to Ryan... but fuck, Mia. I can't help it. I want you too much."

He's only human, just like I am. Ryan can't keep protecting me forever, and even more important than that, he can't keep me from doing the things I want, and I want this. I want Jake.

A shiver runs through me at his words—part excitement, part nerves. Because this is huge, what we're doing here. We're crossing a line that can never be uncrossed, and there's no going back from it. But we've both already made up our minds.

We are at peace with our decision.

But as Jake's hands skim down my body, finding all the right spots to make me gasp and arch my back, I find myself not caring about any of that. All I care about is this moment—being here with him, finally giving in to the pull between us that's been growing stronger with each passing day.

"I don't want you to feel guilty," I tell him, nibbling his lower lip. "I want you to just... let go, Jake. Like I am."

He hesitates for a moment, his gaze searching mine as if looking for any sign of doubt or hesitation. But all he finds is determination, and maybe a little bit of fear. Because this could still go so wrong, even with both of us wanting it as much as we do.

But then he nods, just once, and leans in to kiss me again. This time, there's no holding back, not from either of us.

Jake's fingers slip inside that magical place, finding that sensitive spot between my legs that has me moaning his name, and I can feel the last of his restraint slipping away. Finally, he's only thinking about me.

And when he finally settles himself between my thighs, looking up at me with a hunger that burns as hot as mine does, I know there's no turning back, and the thought brings a wicked smile to my face.

"Fuck," he mutters, guiding himself to my entrance. "I can't... I can't go slow, Mia."

"I don't want you to," I tell him, wrapping my legs around his waist and pulling him closer. "I want all of you, Jake. Everything you've been holding back."

As Jake hovers over me, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart race, I realize that there's one last barrier between us—my panties. How did I forget about them?My mind is so foggy with desire that it's like they've become invisible to me.

But not to him. He knows exactly where they are, and the smug smile spreading across his face tells me he's enjoying my oversight. Bastard.

He was playing with my pussy just moments ago, and I can still feel the sensation of his finger between my lips down there. He must have ignored my underwear, pushing past it as if it were nothing. He was probably too impatient to take it off first.

"Jake," I whimper, lifting my hips in a silent plea for him to remove them already. "Please."

He chuckles softly, most likely thinking he'd never see me using that word, dipping his head to trail kisses along my jawline as one hand slips beneath me, fingers splayed against the small of my back. His other hand moves down, skimming over the curve of my hip, then hooking into the waistband of my panties.

"You're so impatient," he murmurs against my neck, his breath hot. "I like that."

Then, ever so slowly, he begins to peel them away from my skin, inch by agonizing inch. I can feel the cool air hitting me as more of my flesh is exposed, making me acutely aware of just how wet I am for him.

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