Page 41 of Reckless Kiss

“Oh no, I was a junior by then. I skipped kindergarten, third, and seventh grades.”

“You really are brilliant.”

She stopped grinding against my hand and met my gaze, her eyes clear as she spoke. “I was motivated to get away from my father, Leo. Put your fingers inside me now, please.”

And that’s when I realized that Esme was completely aware of my little game and playing along because shewantedto tell me her story. Maybe even needed the distraction of my hands on her body to be able to do it.

So of course I complied. I moved beneath the slip of fabric and circled her entrance to find she was very wet indeed. I slid my middle finger inside, shocked and awed by the velvety heat. “Good god, you’re so very ready for me, aren’t you, darling?”

She bit her lip, rode my hand. “I like it when you slip back and forth with your accent. It tells me exactly how you’re feeling.”

I slid in my index finger and pumped her several times. “And how am I feeling?”

“Aroused but in control. You like being the one in charge.”

Truth be told I enjoyed many different things, depending on the occasion. But with Esme, my darling Esme, a kind of possession came out in me. A need to be her everything, to dismantle her world and give her peace. “You fascinate me.”

“And you fascinate me.” Her hair fell over her shoulder as she shifted forward to whisper a kiss against my lips. “I think you can tell that I’m a very sexual person. To find someone like you, to feel I can be myself with you, it’s very...what was the word you used?Drugging?”

I nodded, mesmerized by her.

“You’re like my drug, Leo. You release my inhibitions and set me free.”

I sank silently to my knees, dragging her useless, soaking panties with me. “These are mine now.” I tucked them into my pocket, then placed my hands on her thighs and spread her before me. My mouth watered in anticipation. “And Esme?”

She gasped and moaned as I blew cool air over her sex. “Yes?”

I chose this position, this moment, to make my confession. I wanted to worship her, wanted her to see with her eyes that my words matched my intentions. “You’re right. About everything.” I licked along her lips and circled her clitoris once. “Sex is a fundamental part of who I am.” I sucked on her lightly, felt her tremble. “I need deep, physical intimacy, otherwise I feel...incomplete.” I nuzzled her sex, breathed in her scent, felt the soul deep rightness of being with her. “I would very much like to make this permanent.”

I sat back on my heels and waited.

She nodded slowly. “Just me?”

“Only you. Only me. Complete trust and freedom for both of us.”

She nibbled lower lip. “For how long?”

“Does it matter?”

“Maybe.”

I didn’t want her to shrink away so I touched her again, pleasured her with my fingers until she was panting and grinding back. “Why might it matter?” One finger became two as I sucked her clit, watching her intently.

“Because,” she panted, “because you might change your mind when you get to know me and...and I’m not good with ending things.”

If she thought I was ever going to end things with her she was losing her damn mind. She was everything I ever dreamed possible. Someone who fed off pleasure every bit as much as I did, craved the intimacy and vulnerability, all wrapped up in a fucking gorgeous, brilliant package.

But she was also clearly dealing with a lot of baggage I didn’t understand. Was it possible some of it would shock me? Maybe. Would any of it make me want her less? No. I couldn’t believe that. I felt too connected to her, a bond I couldn’t understand.

“Would it make you feel better if I promised a minimum length of time?”

“Yes.” She nodded furiously.

“How long are we talking? A year? A month? A decade?”

“Six months, she said quickly. “I need at least six months of you.”

Six whole months of Esme in my bed? That gave me plenty of time to convince her to spend even more.

---